Integration of multi-media technologies to facilitate reflection and learning, particularly in the area of digital storytelling

The development of computer skills by individuals of various ages and backgrounds in this age of mass digital technology has been phenomenal. By combining various digital technologies it is possible to provide the users with an enhanced interface that produces a more attractive, interactive and functional experience for them. Commercial programmes or authoring tools such as iMovie, PowerPoint and/or PhotoStory are not designed in accordance with pedagogical or andagogical purposes, for example not wizard based. The main hypothesis associated with this study is that, there are significant benefits to be accrued by the development or viewing of digital stories with regard to enhancing the learning and reflective processes of students within higher education. So the main aim of this study is to ascertain whether this hypothesis is true or not, and report upon the findings from utilising both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The issue the hypothesis tackles is not easy. To this effect there is a need to develop a Wizard-based digital storytelling tool that helps students develop reflective stories. The wizard, which is integrated with the story seven elements and encapsulate them, does not only provide technical guidance but more importantly it will direct and support the user in developing a digital story that meets the expectations and structure of what is considered to be appropriate. There are many technical barriers present in developing a digital story by non-computer literate individuals. The development of a user-friendly tool that supports the creation of these stories is a key component of this study. Tutors /students develop digital stories in different learning subject areas using the same prototype depending upon the users' needs and requirements. The initial work has concentrated upon the design of an appropriate ‘Wizard-based’ digital story tool that supports both tutors and students in the development of stories. This tool incorporates the fundamental guidelines for the development of digital stories mapped to various media templates. It is both flexible and powerful making use of an asset library of media objects that can be retrieved by a metadata search engine and are then included within the digital story scenes.