Digital Learning Stories:
Designing Environments That Support Understanding
Telling stories is a timeless means of communicating ideas. Digital media now empowers children to represent understanding and tell their learning stories in ways not previously possible. Observations conducted in a unique discovery-based learning school in New Zealand and in classrooms in Oregon have led to a set of observations about the nature and practice of constructing learning stories using digital tools. Significant contrasts exist between the two types of learning environments with regard to affect, motivation and depth of understanding. Conclusions are drawn about the manner in which to structure learning environments to facilitate the use of digital tools to support the construction of understanding.
NAEYC - Technology and Young Children Preconference
Anaheim, CA. November 10, 2004
Dr. Mark Bailey
Pacific University College of Education
