Week 7: Digital Storytelling

Week 7:  Why Digital Storytelling?

Common Core Standards:

2)  Clear, understandable, and consistent

4)  Based on rigorous content and the application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills

NETS Standards:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes

3. Model digital age work and learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative 

professional in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new 

technologies and situations.

Digital Storytelling Reflection & Process

I created my digital story based on the lesson plan, Heroes Around Us, authored by Mary E. Shea, PhD.  First, I read over her lesson plan and took notes on what I deemed to be the most important factors to reinforce in my digital story.  From this point, I created a story outline that would serve as a basis for selecting images and adding texts.  I wanted to answer defining questions such as:  What are the characteristics of a hero?  Who are some heroes of history? What is the difference between "idol" and "hero."  All of these images together would bring to life the concept of "heroism." I made it a point to create age appropriate material that was tailored to fit an audience specifically in grades 6-8.  Hence, I made the content more serious and complex in nature, say compared with a cartoon.  Next, I selected a templet that would edified the lesson's main objective.   I scanned the various templets found on Animoto and selected one that complemented the theme.  Based on its colors, style, and music "Ink Blot" seemed to be a great fit!  Lastly, I looked over the overall layout of the story.  I played with the layout and switched around images and texts with the intention of creating a story that was fluid and had continuity.  I wanted the images to to tie into each other and build with cohesion. 

Digital Storytelling Resources & Benefits

Digital storytelling is a fun creative resource that encourages students to utilize multiple skills in their creation.  Digital Stories in the ESL Classroom online article states, "Digital storytelling uses pictures, videos, text, music and narration to bring life to a particular concept.  From a pedagogical perspective, a digital storytelling activity targets all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and also promotes research skills, critical thinking and reflection." Moreover, digital storytelling is a compelling tool that allows student to interact with technology in meaningful ways.  Since ancient times people have enjoyed sharing ideas, history, and fables through storytelling.  Nowadays, we have a user friendly resource that allows us to captivate our audience's attention in never before seen ways and deliver a message that engages us and captivates us!  AND it is fun, for the creator and the viewer!  According to online article, The Benefits of Digital Storytelling for Teachers and Students, "It can be done by ordinary people, and you need not be a professional to tell your ‘story’ digitally. All you have to do is to use simple digital tools to create a story. The elements of digital storytelling once known can have a great impact. The positive side of digital stories is that these stories are far more interesting, engaging and emotionally charged. They have an immediate and long-lasting impact." In depth content and understanding occurs for both the presenter and the viewer.  How privileged we are to be able to participate in such an exciting learning experience that can have profound positive affects in our learning environment!  Digital storytelling is a positive integration of technology on multiple levels.  Now go on and tell your story like never before!

Digital Storytelling Resources
Two additional tools that one can use to create a digital story are:

Little Bird Tales is a nice site intended for younger students to use to create digital stories. Little Bird Tales walks users through each step of creating a multimedia story. Users can upload images, draw images, or record from their webcams. Stories can be written with text or narrated by students using microphones connected to their computers.

Source

ZooBurst is a digital storytelling tool that lets anyone easily create his or her own 3D pop-up books.  As an educational tool, ZooBurst provides students with new ways in which they can tell stories, deliver presentations, write reports and express complex ideas. ZooBurst contains a powerful “classroom management” feature for teachers that lets them easily set up protected, safe spaces for their students. Teachers can assign usernames and passwords to their students without having to input any sensitive or personal information, and can manage and moderate student work in a protected environment. In addition, premium users have access to a wide range of advanced book building features, such as audio & speech integration, downloadable books and an unlimited book library.