10 Free Tools For Digital Storytelling
Stories are important. Whether one tells a story to evoke emotion or to gain a new client, there’s a certain simplicity in it that speaks to a lot of people as everyone has a story to tell. Now with technology, there’s digital storytelling, too.
Digital storytelling is accomplished by combining narration with digital content such as animation, stills, audio, etc. It is very popular these days in schools and educational institutions around the globe. In this post, we discuss ten free tools for creating digital stories for your own purpose in the classroom.
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StoryJumper
StoryJumper is a tool designed to help you write and illustrate stories using a variety of built-in features. You can access a library of photos and graphic art from the StoryJumper database or upload your own for a personalized touch.
You can publish your book online for free or order a printed hardbound copy starting at $24.95.
- Extensive library of images and props to enhance stories.
- Option to publish books online for free or order printed copies.
- Limited customization options for advanced users.
- Printing services can be costly for bulk orders.
Plotagon Story
Plotagon Story is a storytelling app that lets you create animated movies using your own voice. It blends gaming technology with animation to deliver a tool for crafting unique and engaging scenes.
Start by designing your avatar or character, choosing from various physical features and outfits. Then, download pre-made scenes to place your character in. Simply record your dialogue and add it to the animation. You can also enhance your animation with sound effects and music.
Plotagon is a versatile option for voice-over artists and filmmakers looking to create dynamic storyboards and animations.
- Extensive library of characters and settings.
- Allows for custom voiceovers and soundtracks.
- Compatible across multiple platforms.
- Limited customization options for characters and scenes.
- Dependency on an internet connection for full functionality.
- Premium content requires subscription or additional fees.
- Limited export formats and quality.
Buncee
Buncee is a platform for creating interactive content, whether for teaching, project pitching, or presentations. It provides thousands of pre-made templates across various categories, which you can customize to suit your needs.
Content made on Buncee can be shared via links, uploaded to boards, or downloaded as JPG or PDF files. The platform also features dashboards for assigning tasks, sharing feedback, and fostering engagement through discussions.
- Extensive library of multimedia elements, including stickers, animations, and templates.
- Supports various educational applications like digital storytelling and interactive presentations.
- Integrates with platforms such as Google Classroom and Microsoft Office 365.
- Some features require a paid subscription.
- Limited collaboration options for users in different locations.
- The website’s design may not showcase all features intuitively.
Pixton Comic
Pixton Comic makes learning interactive and fun by allowing you to create custom avatars and animations for various situations. The platform offers a wealth of customization features and is ideal for teachers and students. Once your work is complete, you can print or share it online.
The app is designed for everyone but stands out as a tool for educators to encourage creative learning. It includes a simple dashboard for students to access shared content or create their own projects.
- Extensive library of characters, backgrounds, and props.
- Highly customizable avatars and scenes.
- Supports collaborative projects, enhancing teamwork skills.
- Offers educational resources like lesson plans and activities.
- Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
- Limited flexibility in character poses and expressions.
- May have a learning curve for younger students.
- Internet connection required for access.
Animaker
Animaker is a popular storytelling app used by individuals and companies alike. It features a drag-and-drop editor that makes creating animated clips simple and intuitive. You can add text, effects, and other creative elements with ease.
The platform allows you to create custom characters and access millions of stock images and videos. It also provides high-quality pre-made templates and a resizing feature for creating content optimized for different social platforms.
- Extensive library of templates, characters, and assets for diverse video creation.
- Supports high-definition video exports, including 4K resolution.
- Features like auto lip-sync and character customization.
- Cloud-based platform enables access from any location with internet connectivity.
- Free version includes watermarks and has limited features.
- Occasional lag or performance issues with complex projects.
- Advanced features and assets require a subscription plan.
- Limited customization options for characters and backgrounds.
Elementari
Elementari is an online platform for creating graphic, animated, or interactive e-books. It allows you to integrate voice-overs, sound effects, and interactive graphics into your stories. You can even include branching narratives to let your audience choose their own endings.
The platform features thousands of illustrations, high-quality animations, and community-contributed sound effects and music, making it a versatile choice for creative storytelling.
- Extensive library of illustrations and animations from professional artists.
- Supports interactive storytelling with branching narratives.
- Allows for voice recording and sound effects integration.
- Facilitates collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on a story simultaneously.
- Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
- Limited offline functionality; internet connection needed for most features.
- May have a learning curve for users unfamiliar with digital storytelling tools.
- Customization options may be limited compared to other platforms.
Imagine Forest
Imagine Forest is a story creator app designed for users of all ages and purposes. It offers tools like story ideas, inspiring starters, and daily challenges to help craft engaging narratives. Its standout feature is the Story Generator tool, which can create unique stories independently or through collaboration with its Random Complete feature.
The platform also includes guides and tutorials to enhance storytelling skills, improve vocabulary, and offer short writing activities. Designed as a safe platform for kids, it’s also a great teaching resource for parents and educators.
- Offers a variety of writing prompts and story starters to inspire creativity.
- Provides educational resources, including writing guides and tutorials.
- Features a community platform for sharing stories and receiving feedback.
- Gamified elements, like earning points and badges, to motivate users.
- Limited customization options for advanced users seeking more control over story elements.
- Some features may require a subscription or in-app purchases.
- The platform’s design may not appeal to older students or adults.
- Internet connection required for access; no offline mode available.
My Storybook
My Storybook is a tool designed for budding writers of all ages to craft unique and engaging stories. It allows you to build narrative structures, develop characters, and explore various genres such as prose, poetry, and fantasy. You can also enhance your stories with illustrations to make them more captivating.
The platform includes story starters to spark creativity and offers the option to print your storybook as a keepsake or gift.
- Allows users to create and illustrate their own storybooks.
- Offers a variety of templates and design elements.
- Provides options to share stories online or order printed copies.
- Encourages creativity and literacy development.
- Some features may require a paid subscription.
- Limited customization options compared to other platforms.
- Printing services can be costly for bulk orders.
- Internet connection required for access; no offline mode available.
Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a straightforward platform for creating high-quality storyboards. It offers various templates, including worksheets, posters, and storyboards, which can be customized using its drag-and-drop editor. You can start with pre-made storyboards or design your own from scratch.
Beyond storyboards, the platform supports the creation of graphic novels, comics, ebooks, video presentations, and posters. It also includes lesson plans and activities designed for young learners, making it a great tool for education and creativity.
- Extensive library of characters, scenes, and props to enhance storytelling.
- Offers customizable layouts, including storyboards, graphic organizers, and posters.
- Supports educational applications with lesson plans and activities for teachers.
- Facilitates visual communication, aiding in the planning and organization of ideas.
- Some advanced features and assets require a paid subscription.
- Limited customization options for characters and scenes compared to more advanced tools.
- May not be suitable for professional-grade projects due to its simplicity.
- Internet connection required for access; no offline mode available.
More story-telling tools:
- Make Beliefs Comix: An online platform that allows users to create their own comic strips using a variety of characters, backgrounds, and dialogue options.
- i-Theatre: An interactive system designed for children aged 4-10 to create multimedia stories by combining drawings, objects, and narratives into digital videos.
- Scratch: A free programming language and online community where users can create interactive stories, games, and animations.
- Green Screen by Do Ink: An iOS app that enables users to create videos and images using green screen technology, allowing for the combination of multiple visual elements.
- Story Creator: An app that allows users to create storybooks by combining photos, videos, text, and audio into a single collection.
- Nawmal for Educators: A desktop movie-making tool for Windows that enables teachers and students to create animated videos, enhancing communication and presentation skills.
- Animoto: A video creation platform that allows users to easily create professional-quality videos for educational purposes, including school marketing and classroom projects.
- Storyboarder: A free and open-source tool that helps users visualize stories by creating storyboards quickly and easily, suitable for filmmakers and writers.