Digital Stories: connecting to communities in L1
Abstract
Digital story technologies offer the opportunity to extend the reach of information delivered to AMES students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) in their first language. As an addition to face-to-face settlement information sessions, digital stories can provide self access resources for individual clients who need to review information, were unable to attend the face-to-face sessions or for clients whose language is not represented by current Settlement Information bi-lingual staff.
The project worked with AMES Settlement Information Officers to plan, prepare and record digital stories on 5 key settlement topics in 12 different languages. These are available on computers in libraries, Independent Learning Centres and student computer labs at all AMES sites for client access. Clients can also download the files to portable devices for use at home.
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor is an experienced ESL teacher and has extensive experience in developing and using computer and internet mediated resources for teaching, learning and training. Terry has designed and managed state wide ICT professional development programs for TAFE and ACE teachers across Victoria. She has managed e-Learning projects and professional development programs for AMES staff and students and has been involved in the development of e-learning professional development resources for the broader VET sector.
Over the past 5 years Terry has taken a leading role in a number of e-learning projects funded by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. These include:
- Media on the Move - a 'how to guide' for organisations planning to embed online casting, such as podcasts, audio and video files, RSS and playback on mobile devices, into the delivery of education and training programs.
- Beyond text: using your voice online - a practical guide to the use of online voice technology to support innovative teaching and learning.
- Designing e-learning - a web-based guide to planning and delivering courses using a range of e-learning tools and resources.
- Assessing online - a detailed practical guide to developing effective assessment strategies that meet Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards.
Terry has been involved with digital story telling as a tool for developing language and literacy skills for students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds since 2005. In 2008 she developed a short program to convert some of AMES existing settlement information to digital story format. The information has been recorded in 12 community languages and will be available for access and downloading from computers at all AMES Education sites.
Terry currently works with the Research and Policy Unit within the AMES Community and Policy Division.
Ansam Sadik and Caleb Thang Luah Khai Haunung
Ansam and Caleb work as Settlement Information Officers with AMES Settlement Services. AMES Settlement Services supports the settlement of refugee and humanitarian entrants to Victoria and promotes Australia’s cultural diversity through community participation.
The focus of their role is to provide settlement information in first language to refugee and humanitarian entrants in Melbourne. They organise and conduct information sessions on a range of topics both within AMES centres and in the community. They also undertake research in a range of settlement topic areas including, health, home safety, and public transport in order to develop presentations in first language for newly arrived refugee and humanitarian communities.
Earlier this year the Settlement Information Officers were involved in developing digital stories on the key settlement topics in 12 different community languages.