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Harnessing Educational Digital Storytelling: A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Affective Learning Outcomes in the Recent Decade (2014-2024)

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Title: Harnessing Educational Digital Storytelling: A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Affective Learning Outcomes in the Recent Decade (2014-2024)
Language: English
Authors: Shurui Bai, Chen Yang, Amadeus J. Pickal, Yingxue Liu, Melissa D. Özsoy, Yin Yang, Shi-Ting Chen
Source: Interactive Technology and Smart Education. 2026 23(2):311-338.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, Electronic Learning, Story Telling, Meta Analysis, Synthesis, Educational Benefits, Outcome Measures, Cognitive Measurement, Affective Measures, Affective Objectives, Cognitive Objectives
DOI: 10.1108/ITSE-04-2025-0092
ISSN: 1741-5659
1758-8510
Abstract: Purpose: Educational digital storytelling (EDS) integrates multimodal digital components (text, images, audio, music, videos) with storytelling techniques to engage learners and promote learning. Despite its increasing adoption, there is a lack of systematic discussion on effective EDS design across disciplines and learning outcomes. This study aims to synthesize existing evidence on the cognitive and affective impacts of EDS and to identify its key benefits and challenges. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was conducted combining meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. The meta-analysis included 17 independent interventions (683 participants) from quantitative studies examining EDS effects on cognitive and affective learning outcomes. The meta-synthesis incorporated 48 qualitative studies (2,162 participants) to explore learner and teacher perspectives of EDS practices. Findings: The meta-analysis revealed a small-to-medium, statistically significant positive effect of EDS on both cognitive learning outcomes (Effect size = 0.40, 95% CI [0.007-0.794], p = 0.046) and affective learning outcomes (Effect size = 0.479, 95% CI [0.314-0.644], p < 0.001). The meta-synthesis identified six benefits of EDS: (1) providing a joyful learning experience, (2) developing technological skills and media literacy, (3) promoting collaboration through co-creation, (4) facilitating creativity, (5) fostering self-reflection and (6) stimulating emotional responses. Two challenges were also highlighted: (1) technical difficulties in creating digital stories and (2) the time-consuming nature of media production for EDS. Originality/value: This review integrates meta-analysis and meta-synthesis to assess the impact of EDS on cognitive and affective learning outcomes, focusing on recent studies to reflect current technological and educational contexts. It systematically examines multiple aspects of EDS design, such as media, story type and creator, and links these features to learning outcomes, while also synthesizing student-reported benefits and challenges to offer practical, subject-specific recommendations and future research directions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507521
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 10.1108/ITSE-04-2025-0092
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  Data: 1741-5659&lt;br /&gt;1758-8510
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Purpose: Educational digital storytelling (EDS) integrates multimodal digital components (text, images, audio, music, videos) with storytelling techniques to engage learners and promote learning. Despite its increasing adoption, there is a lack of systematic discussion on effective EDS design across disciplines and learning outcomes. This study aims to synthesize existing evidence on the cognitive and affective impacts of EDS and to identify its key benefits and challenges. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was conducted combining meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. The meta-analysis included 17 independent interventions (683 participants) from quantitative studies examining EDS effects on cognitive and affective learning outcomes. The meta-synthesis incorporated 48 qualitative studies (2,162 participants) to explore learner and teacher perspectives of EDS practices. Findings: The meta-analysis revealed a small-to-medium, statistically significant positive effect of EDS on both cognitive learning outcomes (Effect size = 0.40, 95% CI [0.007-0.794], p = 0.046) and affective learning outcomes (Effect size = 0.479, 95% CI [0.314-0.644], p &lt; 0.001). The meta-synthesis identified six benefits of EDS: (1) providing a joyful learning experience, (2) developing technological skills and media literacy, (3) promoting collaboration through co-creation, (4) facilitating creativity, (5) fostering self-reflection and (6) stimulating emotional responses. Two challenges were also highlighted: (1) technical difficulties in creating digital stories and (2) the time-consuming nature of media production for EDS. Originality/value: This review integrates meta-analysis and meta-synthesis to assess the impact of EDS on cognitive and affective learning outcomes, focusing on recent studies to reflect current technological and educational contexts. It systematically examines multiple aspects of EDS design, such as media, story type and creator, and links these features to learning outcomes, while also synthesizing student-reported benefits and challenges to offer practical, subject-specific recommendations and future research directions.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/ITSE-04-2025-0092
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 28
        StartPage: 311
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Literature Reviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Story Telling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Meta Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Synthesis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Benefits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Outcome Measures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Measurement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affective Measures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affective Objectives
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Objectives
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Harnessing Educational Digital Storytelling: A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Affective Learning Outcomes in the Recent Decade (2014-2024)
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            NameFull: Shurui Bai
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            NameFull: Chen Yang
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            NameFull: Amadeus J. Pickal
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            NameFull: Yingxue Liu
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              Y: 2026
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