Exploring the Impact of EPUB-Based Digital Storytelling on Year 4 Students’ Narrative Writing in a Malaysian Primary Classroom: A Qualitative Single-Case Study

This qualitative single-case study investigates how EPUB-based digital storytelling influences the development of narrative writing skills among Year 4 students in a Malaysian primary school. The study responds to Malaysia’s pedagogical shift toward multimodal digital literacy under the CEFR-aligned English curriculum and 21st Century Learning (PAK-21) initiatives. Twenty students participated in a six-week intervention using Book Creator to produce interactive digital stories integrating multimedia elements such as visuals, sound, and animated page transitions. Writing development was tracked through pre- and post-intervention writing samples, assessed using a 20-point rubric measuring creativity, vocabulary richness, structural coherence, and narrative progression. Descriptive analysis indicated consistent gains across all dimensions, with the most notable improvements in creativity and story coherence. Inter-rater reliability for rubric scoring was substantial (Cohen’s κ = 0.84). Thematic analysis of classroom observations and teacher interviews revealed enhanced student engagement, peer collaboration, and ownership of learning during the composition process. Nonetheless, technical challenges and time constraints emerged as implementation barriers. While findings are not generalizable, they offer valuable insight into how EPUB-based storytelling may serve as a viable digital writing pedagogy in early primary education, meriting further exploration in varied instructional contexts.