Digital Multimodal Storytelling: Understanding Learner Perceptions

Abstract

The present study intends to understand how multimodality can be implemented in a content course curriculum and how students perceive multimodal tasks. Twenty-eight students majoring in English were engaged in a digital storytelling assignment as a part of the content curriculum. Findings from the questionnaire and reflective essays that investigated students perceptions of digital storytelling showed that students felt that the assignment helped them engage in the task and felt motivated. In comparison to traditional writing tasks, students perceived digital storytelling to be more engaging and motivating, but felt that the assignment required more mental effort and caused more anxiety. By supporting students to explore technology and implement multimodal aspects in the learning process, digital storytelling can encourage engagement and autonomous learning to create meaningful works that are purposeful and enjoyable.