Course Content
Week 1: Media Literacy Foundations + My Voice Story Seed
In Week 1, learners shift from passive media consumption to responsible creation. We introduce media literacy basics (bias, intent, credibility), the SAMS feedback framework (Story, Audience, Message, Style), and course safety guidelines (consent, privacy, respectful representation). Weekly outputs: My Media Map + 60–90s “My Voice” story seed + 1-page SAMS analysis of a media example.
0/7
Week 2: Story Circles, Pitching + Storyboarding
Learners discover meaningful stories through story circles, then shape their ideas into a clear pitch and message. They plan their project using a simple script/narration outline and a storyboard that guides production.
0/6
Week 3: Visual Storytelling + Photography + Photo Essay
Learners develop visual storytelling skills using mobile photography and ethical image-making. They produce a photo essay with captions and sequencing that clearly communicates a message and story arc.
0/6
Week 4: Audio Storytelling Voice, Interview + Sound
Learners practice audio storytelling—recording clean voice, using ambient sound, and (optionally) conducting short interviews with consent. They create a structured audio story and strengthen ethical storytelling habits.
0/6
Week 5: Mobile Video Production + Shooting for Story
Learners shoot better mobile video using shot types, stability, and simple sequencing. They film a short story sequence guided by a shot list and learn how B-roll supports meaning and emotion.
0/6
Week 6: Editing + Rough Cut Critique
Learners edit their work into a rough cut using a practical mobile workflow. They participate in structured peer critique using SAMS and create a revision plan to improve clarity, pacing, sound, and message.
0/6
Week 7: Media Literacy for Impact, Truth, Bias + Distribution
Learners deepen media literacy for impact—verification habits, misinformation awareness, and responsible representation. They create a simple distribution plan and a campaign asset (poster/teaser/posts) to support their story.
0/6
Week 8: Final Cut + Online Exhibition Showcase
Learners complete their final cut, write an artist statement, and prepare an exhibition-ready entry with credits and permissions. The course ends with an online showcase and reflection on growth as a Digital Change Maker.
0/6
Digital Change Makers: Mobile Storytelling & Media Literacy (8 Weeks)

Welcome to Digital Change Makers

👋 Welcome!

 

You’re about to start an 8-week journey to become a Digital Change Maker—someone who can think critically about media and create powerful stories using a smartphone.

 

This course is practical. Every week you will make something real (not just take notes), and by Week 8 you will publish a final story in our Online Exhibition Showcase.


What you will learn in this course

 

By the end of the program, you will be able to:

 

  • Create stories using photos, audio, and video with your phone
  • Plan stories using story circles, pitching, scripts, and storyboards
  • Improve your work through peer feedback using SAMS (Story, Audience, Message, Style)
  • Identify bias, misinformation, and credibility signals in online content
  • Tell stories safely using consent, privacy, and respectful representation
  • Publish your work responsibly with a simple distribution plan

The weekly rhythm (how each week works)

 

Each week follows the same cycle so you always know what to do:

 

  1. Learn (Micro-lessons): Short lessons you can complete in 10–20 minutes each.
  2. Practice (Quick activities): Small exercises to try the skill immediately.
  3. Create (Weekly Output): You will produce one creative output (e.g., storyboard, photo essay, audio story, video sequence, rough cut).
  4. Share + Peer Feedback (SAMS): You will comment on at least 2 classmates using SAMS and receive feedback too.
  5. Reflect (Short journal prompt): A few lines about what you learned and what you want to improve.
  6. Quick Quiz: A short quiz checks key ideas and helps you track your progress.

Weekly outputs (what you will produce)

 

You will build a portfolio across 8 weeks:

 

  • Week 1: Media Map + “My Voice” story seed + SAMS analysis
  • Week 2: Pitch + storyboard
  • Week 3: Photo essay
  • Week 4: Audio story
  • Week 5: Video sequence + shot list
  • Week 6: Rough cut + revision plan
  • Week 7: Distribution plan + campaign asset
  • Week 8: Final cut + artist statement + exhibition card

Tools you need (mobile-first)

 

You can complete this course using:

 

  • A smartphone with a camera
  • Earphones/headset (recommended for clearer audio)
  • A simple editing app like CapCut / VN / Adobe Rush (optional but helpful)
  • Internet to upload submissions (low bandwidth friendly)

 

Don’t worry if you’ve never edited before—Week 5 and Week 6 will guide you step-by-step.


Community rules (safe learning space)

 

We want this course to be safe and respectful. That means:

 

  • Be kind, respectful, and honest in feedback
  • Protect privacy: don’t share someone’s personal details without permission
  • Get consent before recording or photographing anyone
  • Avoid harmful content and stereotypes
  • Credit sources when using music, photos, or quotes

How you will be assessed (simple and fair)

 

To earn a certificate, you must:

 

  • Submit at least 6 of 8 weekly outputs (Week 6 rough cut and Week 8 final cut are required)
  • Complete at least 4 quizzes
  • Give peer feedback at least 6 times

 

Your work is assessed using:

 

  • Story clarity
  • Audience + message
  • Technical craft (phone-level quality is okay!)
  • Ethics + responsibility