Adopting digital storytelling in English classrooms: lessons learned from Indonesian EFL teachers’ reflective practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT Digital Storytelling (DST) is a unique and powerful way of conveying knowledge and experiences in almost all fields. The use of DST as knowledge transfer media is a perfect choice, especially in classrooms where knowledge and experiences are shared. However, Indonesian English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers have little experience in adopting DST in classrooms, especially in English language classrooms. In this regard, this study aims at exploring Indonesian EFL teachers’ experience of applying DST in their classrooms through reflective practice. This case study recruited six EFL teachers as the participants. The teachers participated in a four-week workshop introducing digital storytelling and its potential to be adopted in English classrooms. They were required to create a DST-based lesson plan, implement the lesson plan, and create a DST book. The data were collected from teachers’ written reflective journals and semi-structured interviews. Following Farrell’s stages of English teachers’ reflective practice, this study revealed that Indonesian EFL teachers refined their beliefs and teaching principles as a result of adopting DST in their classrooms. In the practice, teachers saw that DST-based teaching and learning activities encourage students’ active engagement. Implications and further recommendations are discussed.