Wednesday, April 06, 2011

One hundred English as Second Language (ESL) students from grades 3-12 will participate in the University of North Carolina Wilmington Watson School of Education's 3rd annual Digital Storytelling Contest 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday, April 8.

Nearly 100 ESL students from New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties will share their experiences and view each other's digital storybooks.

"The main reason we love the digital storytelling contest is because it gets ESL students involved in a fun project that not only improves their English language skills, but gives them opportunities to share their own voices with their peers and teachers," said Eleni Pappamihiel, UNC Wilmington associate professor and ESL coordinator.

The contest grew out of a research project designed by Pappamihiel and faculty member Denise Ousley. In the study, ESL learners created and presented digital stories about themselves help of their ESL teachers. The research has since grown into the Digital Storytelling Contest, which continues to grow in participation each year.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508.3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu