Preface

Storytelling, a kind of communication that has existed for a significant duration of human history, involves the use of verbal and visual cues to both entertain and educate individuals who engage in the act of listening to stories. Digital storytelling is an emerging narrative that exhibits both parallels and discernible differences compared to conventional modes of storytelling. The advent of new-generation technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (XR), and others has greatly expanded the potential influence of storytelling and the range of application areas across multiple disciplines. From a broader perspective, it is possible to perceive storytelling as a valuable instrument that holds the potential to yield advantages for a variety of entities, such as corporations, non-profit organisations, tourism operators, educators, developers of online and mobile games, marketers, and several other stakeholders across diverse contexts. These benefits include enhancing engagement, facilitating training, fostering connections, inducing behavioural changes, and disseminating information.

This book comprehensively examines the conceptual framework and diverse applications of digital storytelling. The first section discusses the concept of digital storytelling. Chapter 1, "Introductory Chapter: From Traditional to Digital Storytelling", focuses on the ideas, differences, similarities, and applications of digital and traditional storytelling.

Chapter 2, "Perspective Chapter: A New Space of Storytelling", discusses the relationship of new display and sensing technologies (AR, VR, and XR devices, platforms, and communities) with storytelling, arguing that these innovative technological developments "provide a new space for storytellers to tell their desired stories." The chapter discusses this in the context of VR works from various countries.

Chapter 3, "Perspective Chapter: Storytelling in Developing Countries – Changing the Narrative from the Perspectives of Learners in the Digital Spaces", examines emerging modes of communication that are distinguished by the utilisation of print media, increased incorporation of technology, and the engagement of varied audiences within the African community. Additionally, the chapter investigates how the narrative structure and setting of the tale are portrayed across various places.

The second section of the book discusses different applications of digital storytelling.

Chapter 4, "Perspective Chapter: Re-Inventing Communicative Spaces – A Study to Assess the Shift of Traditional Puppetry Artifacts into Computer-Mediated Objects", analyses traditional puppetry's transformation with the effects of digitalisation and social media.

Chapter 5, "Perspective Chapter: The Creative Surrogate", presents the idea that the systematic use of artificial intelligence is increasingly assuming novel functions within the realm of the creative process. Within this context, it is asserted that artificial intelligence can impact various intellectual domains, including "intelligent" software, art, design, photography, and writing.

Chapter 6, "*Thumb.CAD:* Essays on Technology, Design and Image", reviews the drawbacks associated with the fascination that arises from the capabilities technology offers within the field of architectural practice.

This book contributes to the literature on digital storytelling, which is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. It provides a comprehensive yet concise examination of this fascinating field.

> **Şenay Sabah** Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

Section 1
