Tell me a Story - I will watch

picture from google

Storytelling is a powerful tool to give a student. I currently have a student in my class that told me his father signed him up for the class. I have to believe he is telling me the truth and not just feeling uncomfortable because he is the only male in a class full of females talking about children. Could be, or maybe not. In either case, he wanted to take the video production class. With my background in TV, I offered him the option of creating some of his assignments by using different storytelling tools. For a kid who wanted to not stay in the class, he seems to be very interested in the class now. He shares many stories during class, and I see him taking notes on what he wants to put in his stories. We have had several conversations about how to put together a story. What a great way to get the student who “had” to take your class, excited and engaged about taking your class. 

His desire and need put me on an exploration of what tools, free of course, are out there for him to use. I wanted to give him the option of what tools to use to complete his projects. Of course I had to keep in mind that he needed to present his project to the class so I needed to find tools that would work within our system. Through my search I had found several that were easy to use. Just to name a few: Animoto, Story bird, iMovie, movie maker, PhotoStory and so many more. All seem straight forward and easy to use. I found that it is going to depend on what it is you want the final product to be. Animoto is great for picture story telling with the enhancement of music. iMovie or Movie Maker allows for stills and video along with music and graphics to add to the creation. My mind starts turning with how to use these tools. I think Animoto and Story Bird would be great for students to use as a presentation tool for an introduction of what they will be talking about or as a conclusion of what they did talk about. iMovie can be used to tell a whole story, as a PSA or for a student to present their understanding and story of a topic. So many uses, I am loving it.

While exploring my options I came across many great sites, blogs, and wikis on storytelling. Two I would like to share with you. One is from MicroSoft: Digital storytelling in the classroom. The link it to a site that allows you to download a guide on how to create movies and interactive slide shows in the classroom. The only limit to is, if you even want to consider it a limit, is that they of course are only talking about their products which are great tools and easy to use.

But if you want more I would suggest checking out CogDogRoo’s wiki space. This space offers 50 tools to use to tell a story. On the right hand side there are a list of easy web 2.0 tools to use to story tell. Some are free and some you have to pay a fee to join or to upgrade to get more tools and gadgets to play with. This wiki space was actually the original space for 50+ Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story. On the second site you are able to participate once you join. Either site provides a wealth of information to use with your students to engage them in the lesson as well as in the class.

I came across this video about the 7 Elements of Story Telling. The video just gives ideas of how story telling can be used, especially for those who may not be sure how to use it besides for the creation of a topic. Story Telling can be used by the teacher to introduce a topic or pose a question instead of the teacher standing in front of the class. I took a speak class many moons ago and I was told to start your speak off with something to capture your audience with. Using a story telling tool can do that for your class especially if it is after lunch or the last period of the class. Enjoy the telling of your stories!!!!!!

I hope to share my students work some day on this blog. What have you been doing with your students for story telling tools? How have your students reacted to using these tools? What would you tell a teacher who was apprehensive about using story telling tools in the class to get them to use them in their class? What stops you from using these tools in your classroom?