Investigating the Effectiveness of Digital Storytelling in Developing Learners’ Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

Digital storytelling (henceforward DST) refers to the idea of mixing the traditional art of storytelling with a variety of technological and digital devices. It is considered as one of the most effective teaching and learning techniques. The proponents of DST believe that this technique can enhance students’ engagement, achievement and motivation. In this perspective, this instructional innovation has revolutionized the traditional educational practices with its incontrovertible role in developing learners’ competencies especially emotional intelligence (henceforward EI). This study attempts to unveil the effectiveness of digital storytelling at Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University. Its main objective is to investigate the effects of this innovative technique on developing English as foreign language (henceforward EFL) learners’ emotional intelligence. It further seeks to enquire into learners’ and teachers’ attitudes towards the integration of DST in the teaching/learning process. Accordingly, a mixed method design was adopted in order to validate or invalidate our hypotheses and to cover the main elements and queries of the research. We used an experiment that lasted for four weeks, a classroom observation, an emotional intelligence test for learners, and questionnaires for both teachers and students. The results illustrate a significant development in learners’ emotional intelligence due to the DST project process realisation. The majority of teachers and learners support the integration and incorporation of DST technique in the learning/teaching process at Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University.