Interculturally-Critical Digital Storytelling

Abstract

Narrating personal experiences, stories, or real-life events can engage students in meaningful learning that is interesting and fun. Digital storytelling can support not only knowledge transfer but also realizing socially-just education by promoting inclusive attitudes. This chapter argues for the use of digitally supported storytelling for social justice education. Interculturally-critical digital storytelling is presented as a critical orientation that is sensitive to intercultural issues of power and sociopolitical realities. It makes a case for implementing digital storytelling as a way of introducing experiences and narratives that explore elements pertinent to social justice. Interculturally-critical digital storytelling involves (a) incorporating multicultural literature in order to amplify students' voices and include different cultures, (b) considering storytelling as a creative practice that entails an innovative method of teaching and learning, and (c) emphasizing the need to discuss and question hegemonic normative expectations that perpetuate injustices and inequalities.