Digital Story - Myths about Childhood

I hope you enjoy my digital story of Myths about Childhood. This digital story will be used in my classroom to introduce the realities of childhood. The story may seem dark and depressing at times but the intent is to expose students to the realities that many children face in today’s world; hungry, homeless, abuse, etc.

When I was deciding what to choose I tried to find some topic that I could use to teach the students. I was looking at several ideas that would help enhance what they were learning. I remembered that we introduce Myths of Childhood briefly at the beginning of the semester. This usually is a one day lesson with some quick activities. That is always what the intention is but the lesson always seems to take up a lot of time for something that was to be just a brief discussion. Using the PowerPoint presentation to discuss the topic took up a lot of time. Our department had talked about taking this out of the curriculum but I argued that it is important for students to understand that there are real issues going on with children outside of their immediate understanding of the world. And the activities after the PowerPoint bring home the understanding that these facts are happening right outside their door. This is how I came to choose Myths of Childhood as my digital story project. I am pleased with the outcome of the project but realize that I can work to enhance it as I become more familiar with iMovie. I am also very pleased that what would have taken me 20 to 25 minutes as a lesson, now will take less than 4 minutes. Not only will the digital story have a stronger impact on the students understanding, it will also engage the students toward the learning as opposed to them having to listen to me talk about it.  

What do you think? If you were a student in my class, would this digital story help you to understand Myths about Childhood? What message do you take from watching this video?

Let the iPad tell a story!!!!

Recently, my colleague had taken the 5 iPads we have in our department and used them for digital storytelling. The students in her class used the iPads to video tape their skits about how to properly handle confrontations (Teen Issues course). The students broke into groups, wrote out their skits, assigned the roles, and then recorded their skits on the iPads. Students were able to delete any videos they did not like, view the videos to make corrections, and then evaluate their final recording based on the rubric the teacher had provided. Once their recordings were completed students were able to place the video clips in a time line by using the application Storyrobe  (The app does cost .99 per iPad). The Storyrobealso allowed for audio input, so students had to narrate their story. The videos came out great and the students were so engaged with the activity. Although there is the capability to share the video, I am unable to share with you the videos done in the class because the students are in them but watch this video to see how easy it is to use Storyrobe.

The iPad can become a valuable asset toward the incorporation of digital storytelling in the class room. There are many applications in the Apple store, that can be downloaded for free or for a small fee that will aid in the ability for students to become engaged in their learning. Click on the picture below to be linked to a very simplistic site that houses information on applications and valuable resources on how to incorporate digital storytelling with the iPads into your classroom.  

I can’t wait to start incorporating digital storytelling into my classroom with the use of the iPad!!!

What are you thoughts about using the iPad as a digital storytelling tool? Do you use one in your classroom or personally? Do you see any cons about using iPads in this way in the classroom? What applications have you used for digital storytelling? Do you think students would benefit from using the iPad as a digital storytelling tool in the classroom? Why and/or Why not?

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?