Digital Storytelling as a tool for reflecting on university students’ future professional competencies

The paper presents the findings of a study of the application of a teaching model (Digital Storytelling for Competencies—DSCM) which used Digital Storytelling to encourage students enrolled in a second-cycle degree program in Social Work to reflect on their future professional competencies. Students analyzed and discussed particularly significant stories (critical incidents) drawn from real-life work situations, which they then made into short digital story videos, casting themselves as actors in a role-play process. Students’ perceptions were analyzed to determine the model’s effectiveness, particularly as regards the extent to which the process of creating the digital story was able to stimulate reflection on the most important competencies required in the students’ future working careers. The findings were highly encouraging, and the model will be tested with students and professionals together in the field.