Danna Dougan

  The story I plan to explore is that of my first Thanksgiving during my first semester in college. I had never really traveled or experienced other customs and culture and had no idea how unique my family was until I brought my friend Amanda home with me from college. She was from California and was somewhat shocked but courteous of my family's traditions. Until then I truly never knew that I grew up differently than others. I was never immersed in diverse cultures or traditions. This moment helped me have two revelations. I need to see the world and learn about people and their customs, and I am proud of where I come from.  The plot and characters include my father's family, my college friend Amanda, and me. I will take the reader through the events of my family's Thanksgiving meal and the chaos that usually ensues and ends with the realization that other families are not like mine but can still be celebrated for their customs even when they are different from others.  ...

  PART 1- I chose PinePoint by the National Film Board Canada to review. I was in awe of this story. I have not experienced storytelling in this manner before. It was incredibly engaging and interactive and kept me hooked the whole time I was reading and listening. The author made many effective choices to engage the reader, including graphics, videos, the use of a variety of colors, and music. The music and sound effects enhanced the telling of the story by creating a believable and nostalgic mood while also emphasizing the emotional impact of the author's story. This story was incredibly interactive for the viewer. The author included clickable graphics and animations, which made it easy for the viewer to navigate the page and provided the reader with a first-person account through the author's eyes as to how important this town is to him.  PART 2- The creation of this digital story adds educational value by demonstrating to students how they can use their technological ...

     Hello! My name is Danna Dougan. I graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2012 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have taught many grade levels throughout the years, including elementary and middle school. I am currently teaching 9th-grade English and Humanities. I currently serve as a curriculum lead and as a member on the advanced academic committee at my school. I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Technology from Southeastern Oklahoma University.  In my free time I enjoy reading, thrifting, spending time with my family and dogs, watching football, and traveling.      After reviewing several of the articles provided and browsing multiple digital storytelling platforms, I concluded that allowing students to tell their stories digitally can significantly impact their overall engagement, creativity, and digital literacy. Popular social media platforms lik...