I had only briefly heard of Digital Storytelling through a friend before I signed up to this course. It was a fairly last-minute, on a whim decision, but I do not regret it at all. Taking part in this course has been a wonderful way to end, and reflect on, my time as a literature student at Durham.
In such unusual pandemic circumstances, I feel the Digital Storytelling Workshop was still able to create genuine connections between peers. Working with peers (albeit digitally) has been a wonderful way to connect with other Durham literature students. Especially after such strange circumstances it has been so lovely to have candid yet productive discussions with peers that I may otherwise never meet. Working in small groups allowed me to be honest, open, and combat any anxieties I had about creating and sharing my story. In short sessions we learnt a lot about each other and encouraged each other on the shared process of story writing and storytelling.
Taking the Digital Storytelling Course has taught me a wide variety of digital skills that I might otherwise have ignored or neglected. The introduction to issues of authorship and ownership made me really consider the role of copyright over media and its importance in the digital age. Furthermore, working with text, audio recording, and video editors for my project allowed me to channel my energy into exploring how these programmes work. I have been able to reflect on how these skills may transfer into other personal or work projects.
Being the author of my own story was incredibly scary. Having to think about how to share emotions, set the context, and engage the audience made me realise how many different ways arts and media can connect with readers/audiences. Having a final project and presenting it in the final workshop is something I couldn’t even imagine myself doing before I started this course. I have an increased sense of the importance of my voice, my story, and my identity within any work I wish to produce.
Taking a module which encourages creative, personal, and genuine reflections (removing the academic pressure of traditional courses) is hugely rewarding and has forced me to reflect on how I will approach projects/assignments in the future.