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Digital Tools to Spark Student Storytelling

Every year on April 27, National Tell a Story Day reminds us of the timeless power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and spark imagination. This year, invite your students to go beyond the page and bring their stories to life using dynamic digital tools—from slides and podcasts to book creators, videos, and more. There's a creative format waiting to amplify every student's unique voice, whether your class is full of budding authors and podcasters or young illustrators!

Grades K-12

OK2Ask On-Demand - Tech Tool Smackdown: Digital Storytelling Edition

This on-demand workshop will introduce you to a diverse collection of platforms for video creation, podcast production, comic strip design, interactive storytelling, and multimedia narratives. Learn more about Elementari, Padlet, Twine, and more!

Grades K-12

Knight Lab

Knight Lab provides free, user-friendly tools for digital storytelling, including TimelineJS for timelines, StoryMapJS for interactive maps, and JuxtaposeJS for frame comparisons. Help students bring their stories to life in engaging formats.

Grades K-12

Timelinely

Turn your YouTube videos into interactive experiences by pausing, adding comments, and incorporating images, GIFs, or maps at specific moments. This tool encourages students to annotate and share videos that include their personal perspective.

Grades K-12

Google Vids

Google Vids is an AI-based video creation tool that simplifies the storytelling process. Students can record themselves, incorporate stock media, generate voiceovers, and collaborate, all in one platform.

Grades 2-12

Telegra.ph

Telegra.ph is a free, minimalist blogging platform perfect for digital storytelling! Students can write, format, and add images or videos to create and publish their own blog posts, then instantly share them with a unique link. No account needed!

Grades 3-12

Canva Storyboard Templates

Canva's free storyboard templates make digital storytelling a breeze! Students can plan and visualize their stories panel by panel, adding images, text, and scripts—then bring them to life as videos, presentations, and more.

Grades K-12

OK2Ask On-Demand - Tech Made EZ with Book Creator

Unlock the potential of digital storytelling with this on-demand workshop about Book Creator, a free app that empowers students and simplifies tech integration. Learn to master its features and use it to differentiate instruction for your students.

Grades 3-12

Sway

Discover this free app that makes it easy to create interactive presentations, reports, and digital stories! Students can combine text, images, videos, and audio into stunning, shareable creations—no design skills needed.

Grades 3-12

Adobe Podcast

Adobe Podcast makes audio storytelling simple and free! Students can record, edit, and enhance their voices directly in the browser—perfect for creating podcasts, narrated stories, and audio projects that bring their unique voices to life.

Grades K-5

WriteReader

Explore this free story creator! Students write and illustrate on the top half of each page, while teachers provide feedback and comments on the bottom, making it a powerful tool for helping students grow as authors and storytellers.

Grades 3-12

Elementari

Elementari lets students bring stories to life through coding! Using drag-and-drop tools, kids create interactive digital stories, games, and animations. The site combines literacy, creativity, and coding skills in one fun, engaging platform for all ages!

Grades K-12

Adobe Express Video Maker

This free, easy-to-use video maker is perfect for digital storytelling! Students can craft and share stunning videos by using ready-made templates to combine photos, text, music, and clips—no editing experience needed!

This Week at TeachersFirst

Join us on Tuesday for our next free OK2Ask virtual workshop. We're also sharing a collection of blog posts and a professional article that will help you deepen your understanding of storytelling in the classroom. Read the details below!