ELEMENTS OF DIGITAL STORYTELLING

THE ELEMENTS DEFINED:

COMMUNICATION
Multi-nodal communication makes the online environment unique from previous media. Two-way communication allows the user to communicate with the content developer or other users. One-way communication does not allow the user to communicate digitally. The aspects of two-way communication include:

1. CONFIGURATION specifies the directionality of the communication. The communication can be configured in four different ways:
   One-to-One communication between a user and another person: ie, e-mail link to the content creator.
   One-to-Many communication from a user which can be read by multiple people: ie, link to a listserv.
   Many-to-One communication link set up to allow multiple people to send a message to an individual: ie, a link to "tell your senator".
   Many-to-Many communication from multiple users to multiple users: ie, link to a forum area.
2. TYPE identifies the communication method(s) used. There are four different types of communication:
   Chats are "real-time" instant messaging spaces. For an example, go to http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3039950/
   Forums allow people to submit a message that can be read by others at a later time. For an example, go to http://miva.sctimes.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?Web/index.m
   E-mail provides direct access to one or more specific people.
   Short Message Service (SMS) messages can be sent directly to the content developer. For an example, go to http://www.beiruttimes.com/news/Jan1305.phtml
3. CURENTNESS indicates synchronous or asynchronous delivery.
   Recorded content (asynchronous) includes forum postings and e-mails.
   Live content (synchronous) includes chats. (Note that messages posted during a chat often become part of the content set, and at that time move from being live to recorded.)
4. MODERATION addresses editing of the communication.
   Unmoderated messages are posted directly to the forum without review.
   Moderated messages are screened before they are posted to the forum.
5. PURPOSE describes the reason for the communication.
   Information Exchange allows the user to request further information or provide comment.
   Registration allows the user to be added to a distribution list.
   Commerce allows the user to make a purchase.