Originally developed to support and create literary criticism and hypertextual works of creative writing (hence the name), Storyspace has the flexibility to organize text, graphics, video clips or any other form of digital media into a nonlinear format. For this particular class, art education students are creating thematically based units of instruction that will incorporate information about the work of an artist (or artists) of their choosing, and then organizing that information in whatever way makes sense, instructionally and personally. Many of them will student-teach in the spring, so creating lesson plans now can make life a little less hectic later on.

As far as their response to the software and the assignments, the students, according to Carpenter, “fell into pretty much one of two camps,” and either loved the open-ended structure the software provided, or had apprehensions about the technology which initially hindered progress.

“The few students who originally seemed unsure about having so little structure provided for them now seem to be enjoying the freedom to explore and organize their work in their own way. Several are doing even more than is required by the assignment,” Carpenter says.

Storyspace, like other hypermedia applications, enables the developer to create a nonlinear framework that mimics how our brains organize, link and recall concepts, so using this can be naturally intuitive.

Carpenter, who hopes to expand the use of Storyspace with his students, says “we’re just scratching the surface of what can be done.” He sees the opportunity for students to learn about computer technology and its role in teaching, as well as exploring, a constructivist, student-centered learning environment.

Students can “create, then step back and organize it later” after reflecting on what makes sense to them, individually, Carpenter explained, adding that the process presents a challenge the students are excited about.

The original funding to support this activity came from a Faculty Innovator Grant. Additional, external monies to upgrade equipment for Storyspace integration is being pursued.