Digital storytelling as a tool for teaching: Perceptions of pre-service teachers

It has been shown that teachers are reluctant to use technology despite the South African (SA) government’s huge expenditure on technological equipment. This might  be the result of teachers being unable to select appropriate technology that will yield positive learning outcomes  as well as being ill-equipped to integrate  technology  into their pedagogy. To this end, pre-service teachers at a University were trained on how to integrate digital storytelling (DST) effectively into their teaching. The aim of this study is to  gain insight  into the  potential benefits of DST  for teaching and learning  and to determine factors that may prevent pre-service teachers’ uptake of DST during in-service practice. This is a qualitative study in which fifty pre-service teachers were divided into five groups for focus group interviews. Data were analysed, and the results show that pre-service teachers perceived DST to be beneficial in the classroom as it has the potential to (i) motivate and engage learners, (ii) promote  voice/self-expression, and  (iii) promote collaborative learning and  acquisition of multiple skills. Pre-service teachers are of the opinion that a lack of resources, self-confidence and time owing to restrictive curricula may prevent uptake of DST during in-service teaching. It was recommended that school stakeholders create a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic factors that will promote the adoption and integration of DST into teaching. Also,  the education institution concerned strives to balance all three strands of knowledge: technology, pedagogy and content.