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Digital Storytelling Storyboards

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Digital Storytelling Storyboards

Read the source below, then plan a short digital story about how a community landmark changed over time. Use the storyboard frames to connect visuals, narration, and sound. You may invent details for your story, but label invented details clearly.

Source: The Old Mill Bridge

A fictional community history: For many years, people crossed Willow Creek using a narrow wooden bridge beside an old grain mill. Farmers brought wheat to the mill, and neighbors met there on market days. In 1958, a strong flood damaged the bridge. The town built a sturdier bridge nearby, and the mill later closed. Today, a walking path follows the creek. A small sign tells visitors about the bridge and mill. Residents are discussing how to preserve the story for future generations.

Storytelling choices

Think about what a viewer needs to understand the history, not just what would look exciting.

1.What is the main job of a storyboard when planning a digital story?

To plan how the story's visuals, narration, and sound fit together
To make every frame use the same image
To replace research with special effects
To decide how many characters must appear

2.Which two details from the source would help a viewer understand why the bridge mattered to the community? Choose two.

Farmers brought wheat to the mill
Neighbors met at the bridge on market days
The creek had a walking path many years before the bridge was built
The town built a new bridge before the flood happened

3.Put these events in chronological order by writing 1–4: the mill closes; the wooden bridge is used by farmers and neighbors; the flood damages the bridge; the walking path and history sign are present today.

4.A storyteller wants to include a dramatic flood scene. Which approach is most responsible?

Show the flood as a documented fact, even if no details are known
Clearly distinguish source facts from imagined details, and avoid presenting invented details as evidence
Remove the flood from the story because it is difficult to illustrate
Add a quote from a real resident without asking permission

5.Match each storytelling element in the left column to a useful example in the right column. Write the example letter beside each element.

Visual
Narration
Sound

B. A simple map showing the mill, creek, and two bridge locations
A. Quiet creek water under the present-day scene
C. A short explanation of how the flood changed the crossing

Build your storyboard

Plan four connected frames. Each frame should move the story forward. Write what viewers see and hear; keep narration brief enough to speak aloud.

Frame 1 — Set the scene: Where is the old bridge, and what was the mill for?

Frame 2 — Show community life: Who used the bridge, and why?

Frame 3 — Show change: What happened in 1958?

Frame 4 — Connect past and present: What can visitors learn today?

6.Write one transition that could connect Frame 2 to Frame 3. Explain how it helps the story flow.

7.Choose one sound for your story and explain where it belongs. How will you make sure it does not overpower the narration?

Check and reflect

Strong digital stories are clear, supported by evidence, and respectful of the people and places they represent.

8.True or false: If a storyboard includes an imagined scene, the audience should be able to tell that it is imagined rather than a verified historical detail.

TrueFalse

9.Name one challenge you might face while making this story and give a practical way to handle it.

10.Write two success criteria for the finished digital story. At least one criterion must be about historical accuracy.