Announcing Module 5-Digital Storytelling!

Dear Correspondents,

Spring is almost here! Green shoots and the first flowers are beginning to appear. It is not only the plants that are unfurling their new found beauty, but you as well! Your voices and visions have blossomed over the past four months, bringing attention to the stories that our world needs to hear. Our team, the Mentors, Midwives and our global audience have been incredibly impressed!

Next week, we will launch our first ever Digital Storytelling module! In this module, you'll learn basic skills in video and photo-journalism that will support your written work, and allow you to communicate your stories and the voices of your community to an even wider audience. This module is slightly different than the previous ones, so we wanted to give you a quick overview of the goals and some role changes.

Remember, we see this module as an introduction to video and photo-journalism. We do not expect you to produce professional-quality digital stories--yet! What we do hope to see is a video or photo-slide show that demonstrates your new knowledge and highlights an issue important to you.

By the end of this module you will understand:

-How digital media can amplify your voice and support your social activism work
-Safety, security and ethical issues
-The basics of digital storytelling
-An overview of basic equipment
-Specific tips and advice for putting together video and photo slide-shows
-Tips for overcoming IT challenges
-Distribution and promotion

You will be creating a 2-3 minute video or photo-slide show that is solutions-oriented, and on a topic you feel passionate about. You will post you digital story to YouTube or another online service suggested in the learning materials, and then provide a link in your PulseWire journal. You can find a full description of the learning materials and assignment here. Below you'll find an outline of changes in processes and roles. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team.

Changes

-This module is being led by our team and Sehrish Shaban, an accomplished video journalist who has produced video and multi-media for Reuters, New York Times, and PBS News hour.

-We have recruited 8 Digital Storytelling volunteers to help answer the technical questions that you are sure to have. We've set up one central email that all of the volunteers, Serhish and our team will be monitoring on a daily basis for your questions. Please send any and all questions on this learning module to the email address sent in an earlier email to you. These volunteers can answer both technical questions AND creative questions (such as how to structure your story).

-Midwives: Your midwife's input is still important! Digital stories, just like written ones, start with an interesting hook, have a middle and a conclusion. You should definitely still include your midwife in reviewing your digital story ideas and rough draft outline.

-Safety and Security: Our commitment to safety and security remains the same. If you have concerns that the topic you'd like to cover might put you, or the people involved, in any danger whatsoever---contact our team immediately. AND, if you cover any topic that includes minors (children under 18yrs old), please make sure to contact us so that we can ensure you follow the highest ethical standards possible.

In the earlier email sent to you, I attached the bios of the 8 Digital Storytelling Volunteers so you are familiar with who you will be working with. Again, they will be working with our team (Scott, Sehrish and I) to answer all of your questions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this new module!

Sincerely,

Rachael and Scott