Routledge Digital Storytelling as Public History: A Guidebook for Educators

Digital Storytelling as Public History: A Guidebook for Educators provides a practical methodology for teaching public history in the digital age. Drawing on a long-standing collaboration, Fisanick and Stakeley examine how and why educators in all arenas should adopt digital storytelling as a means for encouraging interest in local and regional history. The book shows readers how to implement the strategies necessary to help storytellers in a variety of settings create short films that showcase the collections at local and regional historical societies and museums. It also teaches storytellers higher executive functions, such as independent project management, peer and self-critique, and rhetorical savviness. By guiding storytellers through this process of creating public history digital stories, the book enables them to become connected to communities, improve their understanding of regional history, and expand their knowledge of the preservation of historical artifacts. Supported by online handouts and offering a comprehensive methodology for educators, this is the ideal guide for those teaching public history in the digital age across a range of educational settings, including the classroom, museum and community. Review "Few educators have utilized digital storytelling to immerse their students in community relationships and history as much as Dr. Christina Fisanick. The work of her students speaks to her absolute commitment to engaged listening and the fostering of community-based, participatory learning. Her partnership with Robert Stakeley is an integral part of process, for together they are preparing a new breed of learners, of listeners, and bridging communities that have been marred by isolation. The students, the community, and the world are richer for it." Joe Lambert and Daniel Weinshenker, StoryCenter About the Author Christina Fisanick. is Associate Professor of English at California University of Pennsylvania, USA, where she teaches expository writing, creative nonfiction, digital storytelling, and Honors writing and rhetoric. She is the author of more than thirty books and dozens of articles and essays. Robert O. Stakeley is the History Center Affiliates Program (HCAP) Manager at the Senator John Heinz History Center, USA, where he provides various levels of instruction for a diverse audience.  HCAP assists 400 plus historically minded organizations in achieving their goals.  Stakeley is a former librarian, archivist, and educator who has extensive experience in collecting, preserving, and providing access to collections.  His approach to history is simple - establish a connection and make it fun.