Digital Storytelling, Presentation Principles and Multimedia Elements for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Digital Technologies
Curriculum Theme: Digital entrepreneurship
Focal competence: Using software tools to create engaging digital stories and presentations
Key competencies/values: Creativity and Innovation; Communication; Information Literacy; Entrepreneurship; Innovation
Skills:

• Using multimedia components effectively in presentations
• Creating digital stories, infographics, and simple slide presentations

Previous Lesson: Online Advertising Types and Branding Elements
Topic: Digital Storytelling & Presentation
Subject Matter: Meaning of Digital Storytelling & Presentation, Knowledge. Multimedia elements – text, images, audio, video, Principles of digital storytelling

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define Digital Storytelling and Presentation.

Psychomotor Domain

• Create simple digital stories and multimedia presentations using text, images, and audio.
• Apply basic presentation principles for clear communication and audience engagement.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Digital Technologies for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Computers or mobile devices with internet access
• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Powtoon software/website
• Canva software/website
• Google Slides software/website
• Microsoft PowerPoint software
• Audio recorder or microphone
• Sample digital stories and presentations
• Storyboarding templates

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces students to the fundamental concepts of digital storytelling and presentation, which are essential skills in today’s digital world. It equips them with the knowledge and practical abilities to effectively communicate ideas, share information, and engage audiences using various multimedia elements. Mastering these skills fosters creativity, critical thinking, and prepares students for future academic and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of how to navigate software applications and use common input devices like a keyboard and mouse. They should also have a general understanding of different types of media such as text, images, and sound.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Digital Storytelling & Presentation

Meaning of Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is the practice of using digital tools to tell a story. It combines traditional storytelling techniques with multimedia elements such as images, audio, video, and text to create a compelling narrative. It allows individuals to share personal experiences, historical events, or educational content in an engaging and interactive way.

Meaning of Digital Presentation

A digital presentation is a method of conveying information to an audience using digital tools and multimedia. It typically involves a sequence of slides or screens that combine text, images, charts, audio, and video to illustrate points and support spoken content. Popular tools for digital presentations include Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Canva.

Multimedia Elements in Digital Storytelling and Presentation

Multimedia elements are the different forms of content used to create a digital story or presentation. Effective use of these elements enhances engagement and clarity.

1. Text: This includes written words, captions, titles, bullet points, and paragraphs. Text provides factual information, context, and guides the audience through the narrative. It should be concise, readable, and well-organized.
2. Images: These are still visual elements such as photographs, illustrations, charts, graphs, and diagrams. Images help to convey emotions, illustrate concepts, provide evidence, and break up large blocks of text, making content more appealing and easier to understand.
3. Audio: This includes spoken narration, background music, sound effects, and interviews. Audio adds an auditory dimension to the story, setting the mood, providing explanations, and enhancing the overall experience.
4. Video: This refers to moving pictures, often accompanied by sound. Video can be used to show processes, demonstrate actions, capture interviews, or present dynamic visual content, making the story more immersive and realistic.

Principles of Digital Storytelling and Presentation

To create effective and engaging digital stories and presentations, certain principles should be followed:

1. Narrative Flow: This refers to the logical and coherent progression of the story or information. A good narrative flow ensures that the audience can easily follow the sequence of events or ideas from beginning to end. It involves structuring the content with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
2. Clarity: Clarity means that the message being conveyed is easy to understand and free from ambiguity. This involves using simple language, clear visuals, and well-organized content. Avoid jargon and ensure that each multimedia element contributes directly to the main message without causing confusion.
3. Creativity: Creativity involves using imaginative and original ideas to make the story or presentation unique and memorable. This can be achieved through innovative visual designs, engaging storytelling techniques, unexpected twists, or a distinctive style that captures the audience’s attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them about their experiences with telling stories or presenting information, either verbally or using pictures. The teacher then introduces the topic: Digital Storytelling & Presentation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Introduction to topic

Step 2: Meaning of Digital Storytelling and Presentation

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of Digital Storytelling and Digital Presentation, providing simple examples of each. The teacher connects these concepts to how students use devices, access information, and share content online.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and contribute their understanding of the terms.

Learning Point: Defining digital storytelling

Step 3: Multimedia Elements

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Illustration/Categorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various multimedia elements (text, images, audio, video) used in digital storytelling and presentations. The teacher shows examples of how each element is used effectively in a short sample digital story or presentation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss examples of multimedia elements in the provided samples and suggest other uses.

Learning Point: Identifying multimedia elements

Step 4: Principles of Digital Storytelling

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the key principles of digital storytelling: narrative flow, clarity, and creativity. The teacher provides examples of how applying these principles makes a story or presentation more engaging and effective.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and discuss how these principles can be applied to their own work.

Learning Point: Understanding storytelling principles

Step 5: Planning a Digital Story (Storyboard)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Planning/Collaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students (individually or in small groups) to plan a short digital story (1-2 minutes) using a storyboard template. The teacher emphasizes outlining the narrative flow, identifying key visuals, and considering audio elements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work on their storyboards, outlining their digital story ideas with guidance from the teacher.

Learning Point: Storyboard planning skills

Step 6: Introduction to Creating Multimedia Stories/Presentations

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Instruction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly demonstrates how to start creating a multimedia story or presentation using one of the specified tools (e.g., Google Slides or Canva). The teacher focuses on adding text, images, and basic audio, linking it to the storyboard concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and ask questions about the software tools and initial creation steps.

Learning Point: Software tool introduction

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is Digital Storytelling?
2. Mention two multimedia elements used in digital presentations.
3. State one principle of effective digital storytelling.
4. Why is narrative flow important in a digital story?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of digital storytelling and presentation, multimedia elements, and principles into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students of the importance of digital storytelling and presentation skills in various aspects of life and encourages them to practice using the tools.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and prepare for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Project

Instruction: Using your planned storyboard from class, create a simple 1-2 minute digital story or presentation using either Powtoon, Canva, Google Slides, or Microsoft PowerPoint. Ensure you include text, at least two images, and some form of audio (e.g., background music or narration). Be prepared to share your work in the next class.

1. Define Digital Storytelling in your own words.
2. List and briefly explain three multimedia elements.
3. Explain how ‘Clarity’ contributes to an effective digital presentation.

Lesson Keywords

• Digital Storytelling – Using digital tools and multimedia to tell a story.
• Digital Presentation – Conveying information using digital tools and multimedia slides.
• Multimedia Elements – Different forms of content like text, images, audio, and video.
• Narrative Flow – The logical progression of a story or information.
• Clarity – The quality of being easy to understand.
• Creativity – The use of imagination and original ideas.
• Storyboard – A sequence of drawings or images that outline a story.

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to explore advanced features in the presentation software, such as animation, transitions, or embedding external videos. Provide additional resources for research on advanced storytelling techniques. For students who need more support, offer simplified storyboard templates, provide pre-selected images and audio clips, and give one-on-one guidance during the planning and creation phases. Pair stronger students with those needing help for peer support.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search for “Introduction to Digital Storytelling for Students” or “Basic Principles of Presentation Design” on YouTube.