As classes are coming to a close for the University of Mary Washington Fall 2012 semester, final projects are being assigned. For DS106, we have final projects, but the class won’t end. I’ve learned that Digital Storytelling is a all-year, every-year, class. Some students drop off the deep end and their accounts expire, but others are still up and running. Anyways, our big finale is to use our skills in Visual, Design, Audio, Video, and Web creation to narrate our own story. The past 14 weeks have been building up for this, and I would recommend this class to anyone, even if you just need an extra class. It’s by no means simple, but it is extremely rewarding.

So what’s in store for my final project? I’ve been deciding between a recruitment story for the Rescue Squad, or even just a story of a call. This way I could provide the best explanation of what actually happens in EMS. But I think I’ll combine the two and create a giant story. If you’ve been following my work, or just reading my username, you should be able to tell I love Emergency Medical Services and it is taking over my life. I volunteer, I work for a medical transport company, I relate everyday things to EMS, and I even use EMS in a lot of my work for classes. So why not tell stories about what I love to do? It’s easy to talk about, and I know a lot about the work. I hope the story will be interesting, and maybe even influence others to look into joining their own local rescue squads!

So what am I planning to use to help assist me with my story? I have a list going, and suggestions for assignments are more than welcome.

A word…a picture…a story – I would like to use this assignment to potentially create a scene and display a visual to others on what is actually happening.

Storytelling Within the Web – For this I would like to create a Craigslist Wanted ad for the Rescue Squad looking for new members. I would also like to edit a twitter feed giving a live play-by-play of what is going on during the call.

A-Z Photo Collage – An ending collage of scenarios that could happen…are you up to the challenge?

Propaganda/Recruiment/Advertisement (Design)-This would be an assignment proposal. Sure there is a DS106Radio advertisement and a Shoe advertisement, but nothing for just any random old advertisement.

What’s your Emergency? (Audio) – This would be another assignment proposal. Most people don’t get to call 911, and you never get to call 911 unless it’s a true emergency. Well here’s your chance! Create a recording of how you think a 911 call would play out. It doesn’t have to be a real emergency at all! Operator: “What’s your emergency?” Caller: “THERES NO PEANUT BUTTER FOR PB&J SAMMICHES!!!!” Get creative!

I plan to weave these, and hopefully a few more assignments together to get a fully involved emergency story going, wish me luck!!!