Day 4. The head is still swirling with information in search of spots in my memory for storage. I fear there will be a loss of data. No, I know data will be lost. Hopefully enough residual information will assist me in the future.

My first digital story is complete to the best of my abilities. Lots of clicking and dragging, determining pacing, listening and looking. Surprisingly, I’m ready to continue, to start another project. How far does this new language go? Dare I ask my students to go through the process themselves? When their technology questions arise, the best I can do is give them the phone number of this lab, as long as, that is, I remember how to write down a phone number.

I know digital storytelling is all about “the gift of your voice”, but after listening to my recording I fear the “gift” might not be an especially good one. Unlike Kathrin, I haven’t realized I “did” something specific to make my voice sound as it does. I am reminded of that scene in the movie Juno when the characters make fun of a girl in their high school for giving everyone “the stink eye.” Turns out, her face was just like that. I think that’s what I’m dealing with.

Anyway, this is giving me a greater appreciation for the act of recording. In my classes where students have created DSTs I designate a class period to listening to all the digital stories without video. My decision to do this was almost entirely content driven — I wanted to make sure the stories made sense without visuals and that others who were not familiar with the content could understand the story, too. Thinking back on this class period, my students were extremely good sports about listening to themselves (even students who were reluctant at first). Granted, I didn’t give them a choice, but no one really resisted. I suppose ultimately I am thinking more about the sort of personal implications of creating a DST that I hadn’t considered. Even if the story itself isn’t personal per se, the performance/recording surely is. Putting oneself out there in this way is different than producing a paper — a different type of performance of identity. Good stuff.

It’s good to be a student again and have the expertise of Ken and Hil shared. Thanks to you both. Such new tools to behold. How might I apply them? My wheels are turning.

Practice, practice, practice. The sooner and more often I can repeat what I’ve learned, the better. The material presented has been rich. So many buttons to press.

My  head, at this moment, is in techno-swirl. I want to organize it, review it. I may also have to power down soon.