Publication: The Impact of Multimodal SDGs-Related English Storytelling among, University Volunteers
Date
2024
Authors
Ali Z.
Li C.-L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Abstract
The present research examines the impact of multimodality approach of digital storytelling (DST) on university students who volunteered for an international University Social Responsibility (USR) project. In this study, DST was realized in the form of a community engagement project integrated in partnership between two universities namely Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) in Malaysia and Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) in Taiwan. The project was intended to promote English language via digital English storytelling among elementary school children in both countries. A total of 20 university students comprising 8 undergraduates and 12 post-graduates were recruited as storytellers for the project. They attended a three-day seminar on English storytelling in MCUT, Taiwan to prepare for the responsibility. The students were required to work in small groups of four to create their digital stories in the target language, English, incorporating 2?3 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In total, the group of storytellers completed 5 sessions of storytelling in Taiwan and another 5 sessions in Malaysia. A semi-structured interview was conducted among the storytellers at the end of Phase 1 (Taiwan) and Phase 2 (Malaysia) to explore possible impacts of their involvement in the English digital storytelling activity as well as learning points gained from the experience. The findings reveal 4 overriding themes for meaningful learning opportunities gained from their involvement in the project and another 3 emergent themes related to the digital landscape. Future implementations of international community engagement projects among universities is recommended to discover possible new impacts for university students. ? The Author(s).