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Exuberant enthusiasm and anticipation greeted parents and friends who came to view the digital storytelling products produced by sixth to eighth grade youth enrolled in UCI’s Summer Youth Program Digital Storytelling Workshop. Instructor Viet Vu, Ph.D., greeted guests and explained how the three-week course was structured to develop both "traditional" literacies of reading and writing as well as "new literacies" of digital production and communication. During their three-week workshop, students were taught how to create digital stories using video production equipment, video editing software, and computer devices. They recorded sound, written scripts, created storyboards, used green screen technology, edited videos, and learned about showcasing videos through distribution channels such as Youtube. Working individually and collaboratively, students progressed through the film-making process of pre-production, production, and post-production. All activities were aligned with NCTE, ISTE, 21st Century Learning, and Common Core State Standards. To meet the above goals, Vu guided students through a series of three activities: (a) personal narrative, (b) green screen experiment, and (c) final project: friends. At the culminating open house on July 11, students shared their productions with parents and guests. In reflecting upon student accomplishments during the workshop, Vu commented, “Students came into this class so hungry to learn how to create videos and post to Youtube. Although, it was great to see them so engaged in the digital storytelling process, what was really amazing was when some of the students said that they learned to take more risks with their storytelling, became more patient, realized the importance of teamwork, and made good friends.” About Viet Vu: Dr. Vu holds three graduate degrees related to literacy development, digital storytelling, and technology - an M.F.A. in film and television from UCLA; an M.A. in education with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); and a Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in language, literacy, and technology. He has written award winning screenplays, produced short documentaries that have aired on NHK Japan Broadcasting, published five English language textbooks for Japanese elementary school students, and published articles on the use of technology to support literacy development. Photographs from the Summer Youth Program Digital Storytelling Workshop Read more about the Summer Youth Program offerings for K through 10th graders: http://writingproject.uci.edu/summeryouth.html 
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