STORIES4ALL – Exploring the Power of Digital Storytelling with eShadow: STEM, Empathy and Inclusion
From September 17th to 19th, 2025, the city of Chania hosted a dynamic three-day training workshop within the framework of the Erasmus+ Stories4All project, bringing together educators, artists, technologists, and students to explore how digital storytelling can promote empathy, inclusion, and social awareness through the creative use of technology.
The workshop was organized by the Technical University of Crete and combined hands-on learning, artistic exploration, and social reflection. Participants were introduced to the innovative eShadow platform, a digital tool inspired by traditional shadow theatre, and learned how to integrate it with design thinking methodology to create meaningful digital narratives.
The event opened with a warm welcome and an inspiring introduction to shadow theatre by Mr. Costas Manolakis, followed by engaging sessions on the pedagogical framework and design thinking delivered by experts from the University of West Attica (UniWA). Participants then formed hybrid working groups — mixing on-site and remote members — and began developing their own digital stories using both eShadow and the Stories4All Community Platform (Coursevo).
A highlight of the first day was the evening social dinner at the historic Neorio Moro, featuring a live shadow theatre performance and an open discussion with the artists, offering participants a deeper understanding of the cultural roots and expressive power of the art form.
On the second day, participants visited the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania, where Anna Nempavlaki, Special Advisor to the Mayor on Educational Affairs, guided them through the exhibition “Journeys in Art: Works from the Collection of the Bank of Greece.” Through the educational program “Odd and Even: Talking about Values through Art”, attendees explored how visual art can inspire dialogue about respect, freedom, justice, and empathy — themes closely aligned with the project’s goals.
The final day focused on production and presentation. Participants completed their digital storytelling projects, synthesizing multimedia materials collected during the workshop and producing short digital narratives that reflected both personal creativity and collective collaboration. Each group presented its final work, followed by a reflective evaluation session led by UniWA, offering valuable feedback on the methodology and tools used.
Throughout the three days, the atmosphere was one of collaboration, discovery, and inclusion. Educators and learners alike experienced how technology, when used creatively and ethically, can become a bridge between cultures, disciplines, and perspectives — truly making “stories for all.”
stories4all Project |