More Than A Single Story: UM-Dearborn Speaks
Stories matter. They have the ability to empower or dispossess, bestow prestige or tarnish reputations.
Launched in fall 2021, More Than A Single Story: UM-Dearborn Speaks is a digital storytelling project offering students experience in media and other digital technologies that allow them to explore their identities, purposes, and agency through self-reflective multimedia storytelling. Digital storytelling literacy can serve as an effective means for students to discover and articulate their values and make the connection between values and career readiness.
More Than A Single Story: UM-Dearborn Speaks provides students with a chance to share their stories while challenging the myths about Dearborn, the Detroit Metropolitan area, regional commuter campuses, and the surrounding Muslim-American community. The project not only develops and cultivates storytelling skills, but helps students gain a better understanding of themselves, reflect on their decisions, and be intentional about their plans. Graduates from this program learn how to mentor others in digital storytelling and are encouraged to serve as digital ambassadors across campus and in their communities.
Because the majority of the students at UM-Dearborn work 20-40 hours per week outside the university to subsidize the cost of their education and living expenses, the Digital Storytelling team made the decision to offer the opportunity as a paid internship, incorporating professional development and career training directly into the program.
Throughout the program, students practice creating digital stories, write story drafts, and provide constructive and meaningful feedback to their peers, all with an eye towards a showcase premiering the stories. Participants then have the opportunity to return to the program as mentors for the next cohort.
 |
… |
University of Michigan Dearborn NewsMore Than A Single Story: UM-Dearborn Speaks |
|
|
… |
LearningWellWhat’s Your Story? The craft of storytelling helps young people frame their lives |
| … |
|
- In a small pre-post survey of the project, student participants reported an increase in their confidence in their story presentation skills (38.5% increase).
- By the end of the program, all students agreed that personal narrative impacts the identity of UM-Dearborn and that storytelling is an impactful way to share information.
- “I think this job exceeded my expectations. Beyond the advertised technical skills, I was able to sharpen my creative skills. I’ve learned a new outlook on my own experiences,” one participant reflected.
