There is many benefits to a story viewed on a screen vs hearing it told orally or reading it in print.
For one, digital format allows us to present information in many different multimedia modes that reaches different audiences and allows for multi sensory information experience. As we know, some learn better by hearing the information, others by reading or watching it as a video.
However, more and more research has shown us that the two formats are not the same and to maximize the benefit from each, it’s important that we understand its differences. Brain analysis has shown that digital story telling engaging a different part of the brain, that is responsible for skimming the information and not analyzing it on a deeper level. This is partially affected by digital media presenting information in an attractive and easy to understand format. However, this means that when we perceive something as ‘easy’ or ‘not important’ we will skim through it quickly and likely miss the important facts of the message being delivered. Also when we apply this habit of quick skimming to other information that requires deeper analysis, such as school or work papers, we will not retain the information as well as is required.
Digital format of story telling also removes our ability to create a mental map as to where the information is located on the page when it is printed, which later aids in recall. The constant scrolling may force the reader to engage with the site longer but will cause them to retain less. As such, studies have shown that for best retention, digital stories should be limited to less than 500 words and reduce the need for scrolling and other distractions if the point is to education the reader.
Digital story telling can offer things that printed format cannot. It can allow the viewer to change the background, size of the font or link to definition of words or more detailed information.
As such there is a place for digital stories and a place for printed ones. Which one the author offers should take advantages of the benefits each one provides.
Sources:
Hurt, A. E. (2021, December 13). Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper? Science News Explores. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.snexplores.org/article/learn-comprehension-reading-digital-screen-paper
Universal Journal of Educational Research. Digital Storytelling vs. Oral Storytelling: An Analysis of the Art of Telling Stories Now and Then. HRPUB. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.hrpub.org/journals/jour_info.php?id=95
EXSM 3989 - Digital Storytelling Class Blog 