DIGITAL NARRATIVE THEORIES AND PRACTICES

This course is part of the related and complementary learning activities of the Master’s degree programme in Language Sciences, within the Educational Linguistics curriculum, and aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to understand the role of narrative in teaching and learning processes, with particular attention to digital storytelling in educational contexts.
The course integrates principles of narrative pedagogy and media education, considering narrative as a socio-cognitive device that mediates development and learning. Students develop competences in analysing and designing narrative practices in both formal and informal contexts, adopting a critical approach to the use of digital media.
The course is structured in two parts: (1) an introduction to the impact of digital media on the development of children and adolescents, with a focus on the role of narrative in cognitive, emotional, and social processes; (2) laboratory activities focused on the design of teaching practices based on digital storytelling, with applications in different learning contexts.

1. Knowledge and understanding
• Know the main theories of learning, narrative pedagogy, and media education.
• Understand the role of narrative and digital media in educational processes.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
• Be able to use digital storytelling in different learning contexts.
• Be able to design educational activities based on digital storytelling.

3. Making judgements
• Be able to critically analyse the impact of digital media in educational contexts.
• Be able to evaluate educational practices based on digital storytelling.

4. Communication skills
• Be able to communicate and effectively argue concepts and design choices.

5. Learning skills
• Be able to develop an autonomous and reflective approach to the study of digital storytelling.

For this course there are no prerequisites.

• Narrative pedagogy and narrative learning
• Development of narrative competences in children and adolescents
• Media, narrative, and educational development
• Digital storytelling in educational contexts
• Media education and narrative practices
• Narrative teaching methods (digital and non-digital) for inclusion
• Narrative and digital games
• Autobiographical pedagogy
• Bibliotherapy for children and adolescents

Required readings:

- BANZATO M., Lezioni e dispense scritte dell'insegnamento di Teorie e pratiche della narrazione digitale [Lecture notes and written materials for the Theories and Practices of Digital Storytelling course], Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 2026, available on the Moodle platform.
- A selection of scientific articles specified and made available on the Moodle platform during the course.

This comprehensive body of material constitutes the reference text and the official exam program for all students.

Students who are unable to complete their preparation in the classroom can access the study materials on Moodle, which will, in any case, be identical to those used by students attending in person.

Student assessment will consist of a written exam featuring 11 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) and 4 short-answer open questions (up to a maximum of 5 points each). Exam duration: 50 minutes.

The questions are designed to assess both the theoretical knowledge acquired and the skills of understanding, analysis, and application to case studies relevant to the discipline.

The open questions are evaluated based on the following criteria: (a) accuracy and relevance of theoretical knowledge; (b) ability to understand and re-elaborate the content; (c) appropriate use of disciplinary language; (d) clarity and effectiveness of expression.

During the semester, group work and activities will be carried out and taken into consideration for the final evaluation.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
B. marks in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- discrete knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- discrete ability to collect and/or interpret data, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- good or very good ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
D. Honours will be awarded in the presence of knowledge and ability of applied understanding with reference to the
programme, judgement and communication skills, excellent.

Blended: 11 in-presence lectures and 4 online lectures in asynchronous mode with collaborative activities on the Moodle platform.
Group work and activities combine classroom attendance and online forum interaction. These activities follow the schedule and progression of the planned lectures: the timeframes close to allow the subsequent workshop to take place.

The vehicular language is Italian. However, some materials posted on the course Moodle platform may be in English.

To access the Moodle platform, please write to banzato@unive.it with the following email subject line: TEORIE E PRATICHE DELLA NARRAZIONE DIGITALE ACCESSO MOODLE

IMPORTANT:
Students who are unable to complete their preparation in the classroom can access the study materials on Moodle, which will be identical to those provided to students attending in presence.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development