What is digital storytelling?

As someone in the journalism/communication field, I have learned that storytelling is essential to the dissemination of information. For instance, when writing a news article I have to first collect the facts that are found in stories told during interviews. Those facts then must be woven together with transitions and descriptions in order to make the overall story clear, concise and easily conveyed.

Now that newspapers are transitioning to being fully online, I have to better understand what storytelling looks like in the digital world. As a whole, digital storytelling seems to be the natural evolution of oral and written stories. The usage of modern technology such as laptops, microphones and cameras help provide the audience with more dynamic ways of receiving information.

Digital storytelling matters to me as I am a person wanting to learn more about how journalism can thrive within the realm of social media. How can journalists tell a story beyond the written word? How can communicators effectively reach beyond their intended and known audience?

Understanding fully what digital storytelling is, beyond my own assumption, is important in order to survive the ever-changing ways one tells stories and information. This spring 2019 semester I will be exploring this topic in hopes of having a stronger grasp on how digital storytelling works and why it truly matters.