Students of Volda University College create Innovative Web Documentaries
Throughout the whole semester, students of Volda University College produced digital stories in the form of Web Documentaries. With innovative techniques, they gathered illuminating narratives from all around the western part of Norway.
Vanylven Witch Trails group presenting. From left; Florian Dörr, Bart Vis, Leona Vyhnalkova and Emma Mastad. (Photo: Kjetil Vaage Øie)
Kjetil Vaage Øie
Publisert: 27. januar 2023
Web Documentaries, also named interactive documentaries, are a form of digital storytelling that combine traditional written journalism with interactive elements such as videos, images and audio. These interactive elements allow the viewer to explore and engage with the content in a more immersive and personalized way.
“Interactivity and immersion increase reader engagement and concentration, while the variety of media options available to creators allows for countless storytelling possibilities. You are only limited by your own skill, but you can always learn more", says Leona Vyhnálková, one of the students who took the course.
Guided by lectures on webdesign, AR/VR, and storytelling, the students all used different forms of media and interactive elements to create their documentary. From the captivating history about witches to an insight in Norway’s extensive fishing sector, all of them present their own unique narrative.
Trial and error
“I learned a lot about this format. The modernity, with its remixes of traditional media and visually engaging presentation, makes it a tempting and fresh way to tell stories”, concludes Leona. “Teacher feedback and guidance from Hidden and its team helped shape our project, particularly in the successful implementation of AR elements."
The Web Documentary course is available for both master and bachelor students, says Kjetil Vaage Øie, one of the lecturers: “Student evaluations from the course show great learning outcomes from working in interdisciplinary groups, even though some students initially struggled with losing control over their stories. The course aims to encourage students to try new ways of storytelling, as well as to learn from failure. And in the end, they made a product no-one believed they could create.”
Another key innovation of Web Documentaries is the ability to provide a more interactive and non-linear viewing experience. Unlike traditional documentaries, which have a fixed linear narrative, web documentaries allow viewers to navigate and explore the content in a way that best suits their interests and needs.
Web Documentaries can also be cutting edge in terms of distribution and accessibility. They can be accessed on a wide range of devices and platforms, including desktop and mobile devices, and can be easily shared and promoted via social media.
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