Digital Storytelling for Educators
Professional Development
Workshop Series
Costs and Dates
2025 Fall Classes
September 20, 27, October 11, 25, November 1, 2025
Workshop 1 – Introduction
Teachers will receive a high-level overview of the program, with a focus on engaging students in Project-Based Learning. Teachers will be able to sign up for the series of workshops at the end of this free session. This workshop will include the following:
- Overview of the curriculum and answers to questions.
- Elements of a documentary
- Elements of storytelling
- Review simple equipment needed to record the interview
- Homework: Prepare a pitch of your story and select the person you are going to interview for the 2–3-minute video you will produce.
Workshop 2 – Filming Your Story
Teachers will develop a plan to produce their short film. This will include:
- Review pitches (homework)
- How to interview in person or on zoom
- How to conduct an interview
- Developing interview questions
- Gathering visual material
- How to transfer footage and generate transcripts
- Homework: Film your interview and gather visual materials
Workshop 3 – Making Selects and Editing
Civic Life Instructors will review and give feedback on the interviews taped by the teachers and demonstrate basic concepts of editing:
- Making and organizing selects
- Creating a script
- Write narration
- Creating an assembly edit
- Homework: Assemble your film with all the elements (Assembly)
Workshop 4 – Assembly/Rough Cut
Civic Life instructors will review and give feedback on teachers’ assembly edits and demonstrate fine-cut editing concepts and techniques:
- Review assemblies
- Adding visuals
- Adding Narration
- Using music
- Homework: Complete your rough cut
Workshop 5 – Rough Cut/Final Editing
Civic Life instructors will review and give feedback on teachers’ rough cuts and demonstrate fine-cut editing concepts and techniques:
- Creating titles
- Finishing sound and picture
Simple assignments will be given as homework in each session. Participants will need a working digital phone, a tripod, and an external microphone attached to their digital phone. If you prefer to attend a series later in 2025, sign up here to be alerted when registration opens (session dates listed below).
The Civic Life Project (CLP) offers a free semester-long curriculum for high school-aged students.
The curriculum can serve as a stand-alone class or integrated into a Civic, Social Studies, English or other subject and a Capstone Project.
CLP highly recommends that teachers and instructors attend the professional development workshop series. These workshops aim to guide educators through creating a CLP film using digital phones.
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