Blog Post #4

Digital storytelling is a form of communication that I have some experience with both in my personal and professional life. Stories can be told with minimal context digitally, especially with the addition of pictures or videos. For example, if my good friend has been dating a woman for several years, and she posts a picture with their dog carrying a ring attached to the collar with emojis and no words, we in the audience can likely piece together the story that the two have gotten engaged and are advancing the progression of their relationship. The post doesn't really need any words to tell a story as it includes enough content to get the story across.

Sometimes, the intentional withholding of words or context to a post is done on purpose to allow the viewer to perceive a story of their own; it is up to them to create a story in their mind with what they are given. A prime example of this is how I share memes on Facebook. Many times, I share photos, drawings, short videos, etc. to provide a sense of humor that can have more than one meaning; that meaning is to be determined by the audience. It is important to note that not every viewer will be able decipher the meaning that the poster is trying to convey, and this leaves a risk of offending the viewer or creating confusion. 

There are definitely two forms of digital media examples that I use on a daily basis, and the first of those is Duolingo. I am proficient in the usage of the Spanish language, and I have run out of electives to take in my college career. Duolingo allows me to still continue to practice and pursue my mastery of the Spanish language in a way that is fun, enjoyable, but also productive. The app almost structures the learning in the style of a game in which one can compete against others to have bragging rights in one's Duolingo community. This is beneficial to me in several ways as not only am I brushing up on my own Spanish proficiency, but I am also analyzing how this app can still provide me with assignments that I find enjoyable despite a small language barrier. Being bilingual is a valuable skill not just for educators, but for everyone, and this can reinforce my knowledge and experience of those that identify with Hispanic culture. 

The other form of digital media that I use daily would be social media; social media has quickly become a monster with so many heads--Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit. Many apps serve different purposes or functions but can usually be used as a main form of communication. Many people include their social media presence as part of their identity, and that is something to consider going forward in terms of education. While many of these applications may be used MOSTLY for entertainment, it would be foolish to assume that they don't have a purpose or place in education or teaching. I have been a part of personal learning communities using Twitter and I was blown away with how much potential is there. It is a quick, easy way to share valuable information in a way that anyone can understand. It's also not limited to a PLC!

There are so many ways to include multimodal composition, and we have already spoken about several of these including music videos, Tik Tok, YouTube videos, and endless other options to convey the ideas and information at hand. Students can easily become involved with each other and the community through multimodal composition. This is a major difference compared to just giving a PowerPoint presentation in class: multimodal composition has potential to reach out farther than ways teachers and students are accustomed to, and this can lead to the increase of growth of personal learning communities, which is beneficial to those involved. This can create civic engagement throughout an entire community in which a school exists.