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A group that champions the use of technology in higher education has presented University of Alaska Southeast professor of educational technology Jason Ohler with the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications Outstanding Work Award, an international award that recognizes the innovative uses of educational technologies in higher education.

"It's not about glitz or money but the power of story and getting kids to speak in their own digital language," Ohler said, "combining traditional and emerging literacy in what I call the DAOW of literacy (Digital Art Oral Written)."

The University of Alaska Geography Program and the University of Alaska Southeast Stories of Culture and Place (SOCAP) program that Ohler began encourages students to create media by telling their own stories.

"In the digital age, being able to just "read" the Web, movies and other media does not suffice," Ohler said. "We also must be able to write them if we are to share in their empowerment and critically evaluate their impacts on society."

The statewide project was the main focus of Ohler's five years as a UA president's professor in Juneau, Petersburg, Nome, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Haines, Klukwan and other communities.

SOCAP got kids to tell their stories using new media to improve literacy, explore academic areas, explore personal and cultural issues and to promote health. Ohler helped students plan, perform and write stories that they converted to new media format using free software.

"It's been my privilege to witness SOCAP's profound impact on a diverse high school student population," said Barbara Cadiente Nelson, Juneau School District K-12 Native student success coordinator. "The rebellious, the isolate, the emotionally impaired, and the naturally talented discovered the hero within through the art of digital storytelling. The Story of Culture and Place program bridges the achievement gap."

"I'm very proud of all the work teachers and students did," Ohler said.

Ohler has published a book, "Digital Storytelling," as well as a number of articles. He frequently presents at state and national education conferences. To view the project Web site, visit www.jasonohler.com/projects/socap.cfm.