From Words to Wonders: EFL Students' Perceptions of Digital Storytelling for Language Learning

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.24344

Keywords:

Digital Storytelling, Multimedia, EFL, Teaching, Learning

Abstract

This study investigated the use of digital storytelling (DST) in university-level foreign language classes in Vietnam, focusing on students' perspectives. While the term "digital storytelling" may not be widely recognized, it has been adopted by educators, students, and others worldwide as a way to create short films by integrating multimedia elements. The research problem addressed in this study was to extensively examine students' views on incorporating DST projects into their foreign language courses to enhance students' confidence, interaction, and motivation. Data was gathered through various methods, including questionnaires, interviews, observations, student-made videos, and online comments, to describe and interpret the case from the participants' (83 EFL students) perspective. The results indicate that DST positively impacted students' language confidence, critical engagement, motivation, and interpersonal relationships. Students recognized the advantages of DST, such as enhancing language skills and boosting engagement, but also acknowledged the need for more time, resources, and a clear educational strategy to fully integrate DST into the language learning curriculum.

Author Biographies

Phan Thi Anh Nga, HCMC University of Foreign Languages - Information Technology, Vietnam

Ms. Phan Thi Anh Nga is a peripatetic teacher, prolific writer, and eloquent speaker who empowers educators to think outside the box and critically examine their established practices by asking, “What is best for my students?” For the past fifteen years, she has inspired researchers and teachers at all levels with her passion and joy for the teaching and learning process. Phan began her teaching career at Hue University of Foreign Languages and International Studies (HUFLIS) in 2005 and is now a full-time teacher at the HCMC University of Foreign Languages - Information Technology (HUFLIT), Vietnam. Her interests include Professional Development, English for Specific Purposes, and Technology in Teaching and Learning English, all of which demand genuinely creative thinking. Furthermore, she actively participates in presenting and writing articles for numerous national and international conferences, showcasing her commitment to advancing educational practices.

Le Huong Hoa, Department of Foreign Languages and Informatics, People’s Police University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Huong Hoa, a senior lecturer of English at the Department of Foreign Languages and Informatics, People’s Police University, Ho Chi Minh city, is mainly interested in EFL teaching and learning. Her research activities focus on student motivation, language learning, teaching strategies and professional development. She got her MA at Victoria University, Australia and her PhD degree in TESOL at Hanoi University of Languages and International studies, Vietnam (VNU) and was appointed as Associate Professor in 2022. She has taken part in teaching, doing research and supervising many undergraduates and postgraduates in TESOL programs. Email: hoalehuong@yahoo.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2099-7256

Phan Gia Anh Vu, HCMC University of Education and Technology, Vietnam

Phan Gia Anh Vu is currently a senior lecturer,  and the dean of the Faculty of  Applied  Science, HCMC University of Education and Technology, Vietnam. Email: vuphan@hcmute.edu.vn. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7412-5232

References

Ahmad W. I. W. & Yamat H. (2020). Students’ perception on learning English language through conventional and digital storytelling, International Journal of AcademicResearch in Business and Social Sciences, 10(2), 484–504. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i2/6945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i2/6945

Alexander B. (2011). The new digital storytelling: Creating narratives with new media. ABCCLIO. Greenwood Publishing Group. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9798216979456

Arroba, J., & Acosta, H. (2021). Authentic digital storytelling as an alternative teaching strategy to develop speaking skills in EFL classes. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 14(1), 317–343.

Miller, A. & Mills, B. (2019). 'If They Don't Care, I Don't Care': Millennial and Generation Z Students and the Impact of Faculty Caring.Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning,19(4), 78-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v19i4.24167

Balaman F. (2016). The effect of digital storytelling technique on the attitudes of students toward teaching technologies, Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 6(2), 147-168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2016.009

Brown J., Bryan J., & Brown T. (2006). Twenty- first century literacy and technology in K–8 classrooms. Innovate, 1(3), 2005. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from http://www.innovateonline.info/index. php?view=article&id=17

Bui, T. X. T., Ha, Y. N., Nguyen, T. B. U, Nguyen, V. U. T, Ngo, T. C. T. (2021). A study on collaborative online learning among EFL students in Van Lang University (VLU). AsiaCall Online Journal, 12(3), 9-21. Retrieved from https://asiacall.info/acoj/index.php/journal/article/view/32

Castañeda, M. E. (2013). "I am proud that I did it and it's a piece of me": Digital storytelling in the Foreign language classroom. CALICO Journal, 30(1), 44–62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.30.1.44-62

Castañeda, M. E., & Çalışkan, H. (2019). The effect of digital storytelling on EFL students' speaking anxiety. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 18(1), 44–56. Center for Digital Storytelling Website (2005). http://www.storycenter.org/history.html

Cohen, L., et al. (2004). A Guide to Teaching Practice (5th ed.). London: Routledge.

Creswell J. W., & Plano V. L. (2015). Clark, Karma Yöntem Araştırmaları: Tasarımı veYürütülmesi [Designing and conducting mixed methods research].

Dey I. (1993). Qualitative Data Analysis: A User Friendly Guide for Social Science. London: Routledge. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203412497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203412497

Chau, K. G. (2021). The Effect of ICT on Learners’ Speaking Skills Development. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(1), 22–29. Retrieved from https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4

Du, T. M., Nguyen, T. N., & Le, N. A. (2024). Improving first-year English-majored students' speaking skills through using digital storytelling. International Journal of Language Instruction, 3(2), 29–44. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.24323 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.24323

Gregori-Signes C. (2008a). Practical uses of digital storytelling, CD_Publication.

Hafner, C. A., & Miller, L. (2011). Fostering learner autonomy in English for science: A collaborative digital video project in a technological learning environment. Language Learning & Technology, 15(3), 68–86.

Hwang W., Shadiev R., Hsu J., Huang Y., Hsu G. & Lin Y. (2014). Effects of storytelling to INTED2007 Proceedings. ISBN: 978-84-611-4517-1.

Jakes D. S., & Brennan J. (2007). Capturing stories, capturing lives: An introduction to digital story-telling, 2005. Retrieved May 2, 2007, from http://www. jakesonline.org/dstory_ice.pdf

Kajder S. (2006). Enter here: Personal narrative and digital storytelling. The English Journal, 93, 64-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4128811 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58680/ej20042662

Kukul, V. (2024). Should I use digital storytelling in my future classroom? Why or why not? Investigating pre-service math teachers’ acceptance of digital storytelling. E-Learning and Digital Media, 21(1), 70-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530231156173 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530231156173

Kuyvenhoven, J. (2009). In the presence of each other: A pedagogy of storytelling. University of Toronto Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/9781442688346

Lambert, J. (2013). Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community. Routledge.

Lambert, J. (2021). Overcoming challenges in digital storytelling for language learning. Journal of Educational Media, 16(4), 245–259.

Le H. (2020). Using Digital Storytelling in Vietnam, Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.academia.edu/35951148/using_digital_story_telling_in_Vietnam_docx

Mahmawati, D., & Mubayyinah, S. (2024). Storytelling method to improve the students’ speaking skill for the class x students of Ma Miftahul Midad Lumajang in academic year of 2023/2024. Mastery: Master of English Language Journal, 2(1), 149–163. Retrieved from https://ejournal.stitmiftahulmidad.ac.id/index.php/mastery/article/view/113

Marta T. (2024). Digital Storytelling: Changing Learners’ Attitudes and Self-efficacy Beliefs. Applied Linguistics, Volume 45, Issue 1, Pages 65–87. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amad002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amad002

Matthews-Denatale G. (2008). Digital Storytelling: Tips and Resources. Boston, MA: Simmons College.

Maylia, A. (2021). The Teaching of Speaking Using Storytelling (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam Kalimantan MAB).

Microsoft (2008). Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows, 2007. Retrieved July 20, 2008, from http://www.microsoft.com/photostory

Mirza, H. S. (2020). Improving university students’ English proficiency with digital storytelling. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 7(1), 84-94. http://iojet.org/index.php/IOJET/article/view/668

Morra, S. (2013). 8 Steps To Great Digital Storytelling, Retrieved December 08, 2014. From https://samanthamorra.com/2013/06/05/edudemic-article-on-digital-storytelling/

Mullen R., & Wedwick L. (2008). Avoiding the digital abyss: Getting started in the classroom with YouTube, digital stories, and blogs, The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 82(2), 66-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/TCHS.82.2.66-69

Murad, T., Assadi, J., & Badarni, H. (2023). Digital storytelling and EFL speaking skill improvement. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 14(4), 1189-1198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1405.06 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1405.06

Nair, V., & Yunus, M. (2021). A systematic review of digital storytelling in improving speaking skills. Sustainability, 13(7), 9829. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179829

Nair, V., & Yunus, M. (2022). Using digital storytelling to improve pupil’s speaking skills in the age of COVID-19. Sustainability, 14(15), 9215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159215

Niemi, H., & Multisilta, J. (2016). Digital storytelling promoting twenty-first century skills and student engagement. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 25(4), 451–468. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2015.1074610

Ohler J. (2008). Digital storytelling in the classroom: New media pathways to literacy, learning, Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Ohler J. (2013). Digital storytelling in the classroom: New media pathways to literacy, learning, and creativity, Corwin Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452277479

Ohler J. (2021). Digital literacy and storytelling in education. Journal of Digital Learning, 14(2), 110–125.Ohler J. (2022). The future of digital storytelling: AR and VR integration. Journal of Emerging Technologies, 5(3), 88–100.

Pardo B. S. (2014). Digital Storytelling: A case study of the creation, and narration of a story by EFL Learners, Digital Education Review, (26), 74-84.

Partnership for 21st Century Skill (2004). Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, pp. 709-716. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Rance-Roney J. (2008). Digital storytelling for language and culture learning. Essential Teacher, 5, 1, pp. 29–31.

Robin B. (2005). Educational uses of digital storytelling, Main directory for the educational uses of digital storytelling, Instructional technology Program, University of Huston. Retrieved from http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/introductiontroduction.htm

Robin, B. (2006). The educational uses of digital storytelling. Technology and Teacher Education Annual, 1, pp.709.

Robin B. (2008). Digital storytelling: A powerful technology tool for the 21st century classroom, Theory into Practice, 47(3), pp.220 228. DOI:0.1080/00405840802153916 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405840802153916

Robin B. R. (2016). The power of digital storytelling to support teaching and learning. Digital Education Review, 30, pp. 17-29.

Robin, B. R., & McNeil, S. G. (2012). What educators should know about teaching digital storytelling. Digital Education Review, (22), 37-51.

Robin, B. (2020). Digital storytelling in education: An overview. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(3), 205–220.

Roy, A. (2024). Impact of Digital Storytelling on Motivation in Middle School English Classrooms. International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT), 14(1), 1-20. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.353434 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.353434

Russell V. J. et al. (2005). Student motivation and Engagement, Schooling Issues Digest, Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training.

Smeda, N., Dakich, E., & Sharda, N. (2014). The effectiveness of digital storytelling in the classrooms: a comprehensive study. Smart Learning Environments, 1(1), 1–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-014-0006-3

Schmidt C. (2004). The analysis of semi structured interviews. A companion to qualitative research, 2004, London: Sage. The Digital Storytelling Association (10/5/2014). The center for digital storytelling, 2011; Available from: http://electronicportfolios.com/digistory/

Shahid, M., & Khan, M. R. (2022). Use of Digital Storytelling in Classrooms and Beyond. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 51(1), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395221112599. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395221112599

Shinas, V. H., & Wen, H. (2022). Preparing teacher candidates toimplement digital storytelling. Computers and Education Open, 3, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100079

Van Gils (2005). Potential applications of digital storytelling in education, In the proceedings of 3rd Twente Student Conference on IT, Enschede June.

Van, L. K., Dang, T. A., Pham, D. B. T, Vo, T. T. N., Pham, V. P. H. (2021). The effectiveness of using technology in learning English. AsiaCall Online Journal, 12(2), 24-40. Retrieved from https://asiacall.info/acoj/index.php/journal/article/view/26

Vice, T. A., Pittman, R. T., & Warnick, E. M. (2023). Blocked or unlocked: Recognizing the benefits and challenges of digital literacy storytelling projects. Journal of Education, 203(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/00220574231162590. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220574231162590

Wan G., et al.(2008). Creating constructivist Learning environment for Japanese EFL Students: A digital story program. The Asian EFL Journal Quarterly, 10 (2), pp. 31-50.

Wawro L. (2012). Digital storytelling: More than the sum of its parts, Children & Libraries: The Journal for the Association for Library Service to Children, 10, 1, pp. 50-52.

Wilden S. (2017). Mobile Learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Windy Astuti, M., & Chakim, N. (2023). The Use of Digital Storytelling to Improve Students’ Speaking Ability in Secondary EFL Classroom. JELITA, 4(2), 190-202.https://doi.org/10.56185/jelita.v4i2.347

Yang, Y. T. C., Chen, Y. C., & Hung, H. T. (2020). Digital Storytelling as an Interdisciplinary Project to Improve Students’ English Speaking and Creative Thinking. Computer Assisted Language Learning,2020,123.https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1750431 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1750431

Yang, H., & Wu, X. (2021). The impact of digital storytelling on language learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 24(2), 27–39.

YouTube (2022). https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=digital+story

Downloads

Published

06-11-2024

How to Cite

Phan, T. A. N., Le, H. H., & Phan, G. A. V. (2024). From Words to Wonders: EFL Students’ Perceptions of Digital Storytelling for Language Learning. International Journal of Language Instruction, 3(4), 59–92. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.24344

Issue

Section

Research Article

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.