ds106 Explained

Digital Storytelling (also known as ds106) is an online, educational course that happens throughout the year at the University of Washington.  However, you can join in whenever you like and leave whenever you need.  ds106 is free to anyone who wants to take it, and the only requirements are a computer, a good internet connection, and some web hosting.

Here are some of the objectives from ds106 website:

• Develop skills in using technology as a tool for networking, sharing, narrating, and creative self-expression
• Frame a digital identity wherein you become both a practitioner in and interrogator of various new modes of networking
• Critically examine the digital landscape of communication technologies as emergent narrative forms and genres

One cool thing about ds106 is that you can create an online identity for storytelling over a 15 week period.  Another cool thing is that you are able to collaborate with others in a discussion board.  Just like CSC online has forums, ds106 has discussion boards.  However, they aren’t always set up telling you exactly what do talk about.  The final cool thing I found out about ds106 is that you can pick and choose which assignments you take part in.

I had never heard of ds106 before this week and I’m sure there’s a lot of others who haven’t either. According to, Connected by Learning, ds106 is:

• Interest powered
• Peer-supported
• Academically orientated
• Sharing a purpose
• Production centered
• Openly networked

I am not sure how I will use ds106 in my classroom because I’m not sure what age groups would be able to use it.  However, I will use ds106 in my personal life to read what others are doing and find assignments I could tweak to incorporate into my future classroom.

Featured image photo courtesy — https://thecurrent.educatorinnovator.org/resource/ds106-enabling-open-public-participatory-learning

Computer photo courtesy — computer picture

Storybook photo courtesy — https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/storybook