Technology has shifted storytelling
The Planet Classroom Network (PCN) brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, learning innovators and emerging technologists from all over the world to entertain, educate and engage youth, and to provide a rich cultural experience at a time when art and learning institutions everywhere are not accessible.
PCN says humans are in the middle of a cultural shift in communication, courtesy of our shortening attention spans. In the latest episode featured on the PCN YouTube channel, students are challenged to create an impactful story for the world in just one page as part of a new global writing contest launched by Book Creator.
According to Orb, the virtual host of the new PCN show, 55,000-word novels are now competing with 280-character tweets. If technology has changed the way audiences connect with stories, what does this mean for the communication skills young people around the world need to flourish?
According to young student writers, people must rethink the way they express themselves to modern audiences. Stories are no longer confined to word of mouth or printed books, with audiobooks, podcasts, television and other media in the mix. Today’s writer needs to vividly tell short stories in ways that match the audience’s mode of uptake. As storytelling also forms a large part of how we develop personal connections, finding a suitable method to deliver a narrative is an important life skill.
Entries to the competition need to include a one-page story in Book Creator, along with a cover page and illustration. Budding authors need to record themselves reading the story. Judging criteria includes:
- Idea/concept. How original is your story? Does it stand out from the others?
- Design. How creative have you been with the layout? Have you balanced decisions about font choice, colour, use of multimedia?
- Communication. Have you clearly communicated the concept and characters in your story? Have you successfully conveyed drama, suspense, humour etc? Judges will be looking for well chosen words, speech and illustrations that bring your book to life.
The competition is open to students aged 11–18 globally and entries must be submitted by 31 March 2021. For more information and to enter, visit the Book Creator website here.
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