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Google Vids is an AI-powered video generation tool that works within the Google Workspace. Follow the prompt to begin a video from this site, or visit your Google Drive, select the plus sign to add a new item, and choose Google Vids. The prompts guide users to select a format and options for creating videos from slides, uploads, storyboards, templates, and more. The free version available to education accounts includes access to a robust library of royalty-free stock media, including video clips, images, and background music. Real-time collaboration allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, making it ideal for group assignments. Share videos using the share link.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (258), creating media (16), digital storytelling (158), stories and storytelling (71)

Imagine transforming your classroom into a dynamic storytelling hub where students can visualize narratives, plan projects, and express their creativity -- all with ease. Canva's Storyboard Templates provide educators with a powerful and user-friendly tool to bring lessons to life. With a vast collection of free, customizable templates, teachers can guide students in mapping out stories, planning videos, or organizing ideas visually. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface, coupled with access to millions of images and design elements, makes it simple for students of all ages to create compelling storyboards. Whether it's illustrating a historical event, scripting a science experiment, or crafting a digital narrative, Canva's storyboard templates foster engagement, enhance comprehension, and encourage collaborative learning in the classroom.

tag(s): collaboration (105), digital storytelling (158), reading comprehension (144), writing (308)

Step into the world of interactive storytelling with Genially's Branching Scenario template, where every decision leads to a new path of discovery. This customizable tool empowers educators to create immersive, choose-your-own-adventure experiences that simulate real-life situations and decision-making processes. By integrating multimedia elements such as audio, video, and animations, teachers can craft engaging narratives that challenge students to think critically and explore various outcomes based on their choices.

tag(s): digital storytelling (158), graphic organizers (55), Teacher Utilities (199)

Adobe Podcast offers a platform for recording podcasts with high-quality audio. This tool is ideal for teachers who want to incorporate multimedia projects into their classrooms due to its ease. The website provides tools for clear audio enhancement, automated transcription, and easy editing, making it simple even for beginners. Teachers can use Adobe Podcast to guide students in creating podcast episodes for assignments, sharing research, or building communication skills. The ease of use makes it an excellent resource for all learning levels. When the podcast is complete, it can be downloaded and shared. Sign up for a free account to begin.

tag(s): digital storytelling (158), multimedia (56), podcasts (150)

Blogger is a free blogging platform from Google that includes free templates and custom URLs. Select "Create your blog" and sign in with your Google account. Follow the prompts to add a new blog, provide a title, and then customize using features on your dashboard, including layout, theme, and settings, such as the ability to add comments and shared authors. After customizing the look and information on your blog, use the link to publish and share the content. At the bottom of the main page find the Help tag to see videos such as How to publish a blog post, How to post your blog from your mobile phone, and more.

tag(s): blogs (71), communication (119), digital storytelling (158), writing (308)

Create and share professional-looking videos with Adobe Express Video Maker. Scroll down the page to read the easy step-by-step directions. Then click the Create button. Follow the prompts to begin your creation using a story template or start from scratch. Add videos, text, music, and more to your video. Easily rearrange, change themes, and add components until satisfied. When finished, publish your video to share or download it to your computer.

tag(s): blended learning (28), communication (119), digital storytelling (158), multimedia (56)

Create interactive digital stories with Elementari. Features include drag-and-drop text, illustrations, shapes, and integrating coding. Start by setting up your classroom to integrate storytelling with coding. Click Explore from the top right menu to find interactive literacy lessons that combine coding with your curriculum. On the left is a column for choosing your grade level and topic. Each lesson includes an Introduction, Objectives, Coding Concepts Covered, Student Directions, and a Project Example. There are plenty of lessons to choose from to help your students become familiar with Elementari's features. Once students know how to use Elementari, let them create their own stories. After creating your account, select the option to write your story. Follow the prompts to add Elementari's free images, backgrounds, audio, and more. When finished, preview your story, then publish. After publishing, share using social media links or the provided embed code. You can also create 1 class with 35 students. Students do not need email to use Elementari. Students with existing accounts can also connect to your classroom. Students can choose an avatar from the ones provided and cannot upload any pictures. Teachers must approve stories before they can be published. In the Help Center, be sure to search for Curriculum Guide!

tag(s): coding (96), creative writing (126), digital storytelling (158), writing (308)

Create interactive video experiences with Timelinely. Just paste your YouTube video URL to get started and bring up your video to annotate. Select any portion of the video timeline and add images, maps, links, and more to the annotation box. Edit and add as many highlights as you like, then publish when complete. You need to create a free account to publish your work. Share using social media links or the Timelinely URL provided after publication.

tag(s): communication (119), digital storytelling (158)

Telegra.ph is a free, no-login web publishing tool that lets anyone create clean, ad-free pages in seconds. Just click to add a title, author name, and content. Use the "+" icon to upload images or embed media from YouTube, Vimeo, or X (formerly Twitter). When you're done, click "Publish" to generate a unique URL to share your work. Be sure to save the edit link that appears after publishing--it's the only way to revise your post later. Perfect for student blogs, quick updates, or storytelling projects.

tag(s): blogs (71), communication (119), digital storytelling (158), writing (308)

Knight Lab offers a variety of tools for storytelling and promoting quality journalism. Choose the Projects tab to find all available options sorted by categories of Storytelling, Beta, and Prototypes, Experiments, and Past Projects. Projects include examples and full instructions for using the tool in any classroom.

tag(s): digital storytelling (158), images (263), maps (223), timelines (58)

The scientific research behind WriterReader is that one develops and improves reading skills by writing. With WriteReader, kids create their books, including text, pictures, and voice recordings. Adults/Teachers have space on the page to write comments and make corrections. The interface is so simple that even a young child can use it successfully after some adult guidance. Open the Features tab on the top menu to see an index to all features categorized by Literacy Development, Easy Book Creation, Publishing and Sharing, and Teacher & Student Management, all with several links to explore. Click the Resources Center tab on the top menu to select Lesson Plans, Templates, Writing Prompts, Videos, and more. The basic plan offers 40 books and all the essential features. Register by email or your Google account. After logging in, use the menu bars in the upper right corner and find Guides, which has a Parent Letter, a Quick Start Guide, a Template, and a few other get-started items. For creating student accounts, you can enter students manually, or students can join the class with a class code. WriteReader has upgraded its page templates to support older students. US English, UK English, Dansk (Danish), and Svenska (Swedish) are available. There is also an introductory video on the landing page that will help everyone get started. This video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable. WriteReader has added new premium features such as Read Aloud, Voice Search, Book Templates, and several others. For these, you must pay.

tag(s): digital storytelling (158), literacy (124), multilingual (74), reading strategies (92), science of reading (36), writing (308)

Microsoft Sway is an online tool from Microsoft that lets users design interactive presentations, newsletters, and digital stories that display smoothly on any device. It allows you to easily drag and drop text, photos, videos, and links from your computer, social media, or the web directly into your project. After signing in with a Microsoft account or creating one with your email, you can build your story using a simple, scroll-based layout. The Design tab provides options to personalize colors, fonts, and layouts, while the Share feature makes it simple to publish through a link, post to social media, or embed on a website. Sway works in all modern browsers, and while its iOS app is no longer updated, the web version remains fully functional. Instructional videos and tutorials are hosted on YouTube, though schools that block YouTube may not be able to access them. Microsoft has confirmed that Sway will continue to operate, though it has been removed from the Microsoft 365 Copilot "Create" tab due to low usage. Some tools, such as in-app audio and video recording, have been retired, but users can still embed multimedia files. The core features remain supported through sway.office.com and the Microsoft 365 Apps section, though no major updates are planned.

tag(s): communication (119), digital storytelling (158), Microsoft (55), multimedia (56), slides (38), visualizations (15)