
Digital storytelling is the use of computer-based tools to create an edited video that tells a story. Digital stories are used when a person's voice and experience are just as important as the focus of the story.
You can! CCD students and staff with virtually any skill level can create a video and share their stories. You can make videos for a class assignment or for a scholarship. Watch our featured videos to see a few examples from CCD students and staff.
Unique to digital storytelling is the way it develops critical thinking skills through the use of an individual's creativity, self-reliance, and fundamental digital media skills to engage an audience for various academic, professional, or personal uses.
All new requests for WeVideo student access should be made through the registration form. Students must use their CCD-provided student email ending with @student.cccs.edu and provide information on why access to WeVideo is needed. Student access to WeVideo is reviewed and approved on a semester basis, meaning WeVideo access ends at the end of each semester and reverts to a free account. Once students receive a premium account, they can log in directly to WeVideo.com.
Faculty gain WeVideo access as part of their completion of the Digital Storytelling Certificate training and ongoing participation in the digital storytelling program.
The Digital Story Fest seeks to inspire, support, and showcase digital storytellers in every discipline at CCD, bolster the academic pursuits of its storytellers through scholarships, and connect the community to their work. It is an annual event held by the Digital Zone at the end of the spring semester.
Current CCD students, staff, and faculty are eligible to submit their digital stories. Five $850 scholarships are available for the top digital stories by students enrolled in courses for the next academic semester. Transfer students, graduating students, staff, or faculty members are not eligible for scholarships but may be recognized with screenings at the festival.
The event will take place on May 5, 2022, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. MST in Confluence Assembly Room. We look forward to our first in-person event in three years and welcome any and all members of the CCD community. Bring your friends, your family, and some popcorn. Celebrate the work of your classmates and colleagues at this end-of-year event. If you require ADA accommodations to enjoy fully the entire event, please contact Erin Christon as early as possible or by April 18, 2022.
First-place winners* from each category receive an $850 scholarship for Spring or Summer 2022 terms. Submit a video to one of the following categories:
*The Digital Zone has final discretion on the category designation of film submissions as well as the distribution of awards across categories.
Current CCD students that are graduating or transferring as well as faculty/staff are eligible to submit a digital story for special recognition. They are not eligible for scholarships but can be screened during the festival.
Before submitting your story, we encourage everyone to take advantage of our 1:1 coaching to improve their work. With the increase in award money comes an enhancement of expectations. This year all digital stories are required to have closed captioning in our continual effort to be inclusive and accessible. Citing sources also proves difficult for many within the video format, and coaches can teach this skill. Let the Digital Zone help you level up your story, score highly on our rubric, and increase your chances of earning a scholarship.
Students, faculty, and staff submit through the Digital Story Festival submission form. Video submissions end on May 2, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. MST.
Anyone can receive 1:1 digital storytelling support by scheduling an appointment with EXCEL Zone's Digital Story Coaches. For students interested in gaining a Digital Storytelling Certificate, the EXCEL Zone offers two 4-hour trainings that include digital storytelling fundamentals and using WeVideo and Yuja to create a digital story. Visit the Digital Zone Offerings tab for more information.
The Digital Zone offers two $500 scholarships a year to students who make digital stories that show strong skills in storytelling and video production. Students are eligible if they:
Learn all about the $500 scholarship and what the reviewing committee looks for by visiting the scholarship application page.
Anyone can receive 1:1 digital storytelling support by scheduling an appointment with EXCEL Zone's Digital Story Coaches. For students interested in gaining a Digital Storytelling Certificate, the EXCEL Zone offers two 4-hour trainings that include digital storytelling fundamentals and using WeVideo and Yuja to create a digital story. Visit the Digital Zone Offerings tab for more information.
The faculty Digital Storytelling Certificate is a three-part series available for professional development. The certification is designed to establish an understanding of the use and creation of digital storytelling for course outcomes.
The training series includes three levels that progress from a general overview to a faculty peer review of the proposed video project they want to implement. The series includes:
Depending on the class size and participants' tech skills, the first two trainings are four hours in length. Completion time for the program is roughly three weeks as each training requires some independent project time for the next training. Once faculty complete the program, they get a certificate of completion and can begin to integrate digital storytelling into their classes. Their students will receive pre-approval to WeVideo premium through the registration form and the opportunity to receive customized coaching support in and out of the classroom.
To request this training "on-demand," visit TLC's Workshops on Demand form. Faculty gain WeVideo access as part of their completion of the Digital Storytelling Certificate training and ongoing participation in the digital storytelling program.
Faculty members looking for continued video support after their certification training can find ideas and feedback through the DST D2L shell. For individualized guidance, they may contact Lindsay Clark to schedule a consultation and provide upcoming assignments to discuss.
Digital Storytelling supports the achievement of the following CCD Institutional Outcomes:
Any enrolled student can receive one-on-one digital storytelling support by scheduling an appointment with the Digital Zone's coaches or with walk-ins. They can also support basic computer use and digital literacy skill development. There are many resources available in handouts and videos for independent learning.
The Digital Zone offers workshops throughout the year that cover digital literacy, digital storytelling, and study skills. Some of our workshops include:
Workshops will appear on the right sidebar as upcoming events, and they appear on the CCD event calendar. Anyone can drop into these workshops, and we request that participants come early to not miss crucial information. If you require ADA accommodations to fully engage in any workshop, please reach out to Erin Christon to make a request.
Digital Literacy is the ability to use digital tools to navigate, communicate, and create within the spaces one wants to occupy. Many students feel overwhelmed by the expectation that they know D2L, PowerPoint, Outlook, and every digital tool available to CCD students. The Digital Zone is here to help students learn the tools that will make them strong students and know how to thoughtfully present their knowledge to teachers, fellow classmates, and future employers.
Book a 1:1 with a Digital Zone Coach or attend an upcoming workshop. Come learn how our digital literacy tool—Northstar—can help you improve your skills on the computer and eventually get certified.
For students interested in gaining a Digital Storytelling Certificate, the EXCEL Zone offers foundational and advanced training, using WeVideo, to create a digital story. Request to participate in the next scheduled certificate program by emailing CCD.Excel@ccd.edu.