Individual versus collective digital storytelling in EFL education in terms of student perceptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of individual and collective Digital Storytelling (DS). All participants were non-English major students in Japan. The study goal of the course was to acquire skills and knowledge to present ideas and messages effectively in English with the use of information communications and technology. Students in this study completed a single DS assignment under one of two different conditions; students adhering to the first condition created a digital story individually, whereas students who adhered to the second condition created a digital story collectively, in pairs or groups of three. While the analysis of the post assignment questionnaire showed that more than 90% of students under both conditions perceived the assignment positively, there are also some implications to consider for improving each approach.