This is my first year as a media specialist, and one thing I really wanted to do to make a good impression was have several entries for the annual media festival. My school used to have national winners, but through the transition of several media specialists over the years, we have stopped participating. My only problem was that I had no idea where to start or what kind of projects I wanted to teach my students how to create. Over the past week, however, I found my solution: Digital Storytelling! According to Library 2.0 And Beyond, all we need to create a digital story are a computer, digital camera (I am going to use FlipCams and regular digital cameras), a scanner, a microphone, photo editing software (I am using PhotoShop), sound recording software (I am using Audacity), video editing software (I am using Windows Live Moviemaker). These are all tools the students on my morning news crew use on a daily basis anyways, so all I have to do is teach them about digital storytelling and help them formulate their ideas and create storyboards. This will also be an opportunity for me to teach them about copyright laws and how to use Creative Commons search sites.
“The shared emotion generated between teller and
listener by a well-told story draws people together in ways that the unimodal
and frequently unedited character of blogs and wikis may not” (Courtney,
2007). My
school is in desperate need of a science lab.
Because I am a former science teacher, my principal asked me to
help. We want to write for a $5000 grant
to get funding for some start-up resources that can get a working science lab
up and running…Then it hit me: For my 7477 Digital Storytelling project, I will
create a digital story called “A World Without Science,” and we can submit it
along with our grant proposal. Like this
paragraph’s opening quote says, a digital story can draw emotion that something
in writing simply can’t.
In looking at the some of the sample digital
stories on The University of Huston’s site (http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/),
the process seems fairly straightforward and honestly looks fun. I don’t think we have to lose our creative
side just because society is turning us all into techno geeks. Like Nancy Courtney says, “we are moving from
the Information Age, with its logical, linear, computer-like capabilities to the
Conceptional age,” “an economy and a society built on the inventive,
empathetic, big-picture capabilities.” That being said, “the Conceptual Age
does not invalidate the left brain, but partners left-brained with right
brained thinking” (Courtney, 2007). This is how we become well-rounded thinkers.
Courtney, N. (2007). Library 2.0 and beyond: Innovative
technologies and tomorrow's user. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Laurie - What great ideas you have for using digital storytelling! I am eager to hear how your grant goes. I think that using this technique could really capture the grant committee's attention. It will make your submission stand out and it will put your need into perspective for them.
ReplyDeleteI also want to thank you for posting the link to the Univ. of Huston's site. The video there provided a great example of what digital storytelling is and how it can be used. This concept is a great blend of techie and creativity... just like you mentioned.
Good luck with the festival and the grant!
Using the digital stories as a part of your grant will certainly make an impression. Very nice. I can imagine the challenge of combining technologies with creativity. I'm sure there is a delicate balance between effectively using the various resources and creating an interesting, powerful story. I can imagine that some digital stories might focus too much on the use of technology without creating a meaningful or effective story. I'm sure this can go the other way around too.
ReplyDeleteI think this is where the role of the media specialist could certainly be valuable, especially if working with a classroom teacher. The media specialist can make using the photos, videos, and audio fun and easy while the classroom teacher could focus on storytelling and strong communication.
What an innovative media specialist you are to combine needs for your school with digital story telling! You have a great idea. By using digital story telling to show your school's needs and how they can be met when writing a grant is very inspiring. Students will love participating in all the different areas of digital story telling. I too am anxious to hear how the grant turns out for your school.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post for examples of digital story telling. These examples are great.
It is such a great idea to use digital storytelling to get students more involved in the media festival! I am sure many students would love to participate in this activity, especially if they get to use digital storytelling. I completely agree with you that they are far more moving than simple text. Your digital story will undoubtedly bring something extra to your grant proposal.
ReplyDeleteI find that digital storytelling is very motivational for students. They love to use technology, especially video cameras, to show what they have learned. I have a couple of students working on one right now as an extension activity in my class on Marco Polo. They are very excited to get to participate in this activity and do not even realize they are completing extra work since it is fun. I am using digital storytelling as a motivator as well as a reward for students who complete assignments on time and correctly. Hopefully, as I continue to figure this out a little more I can get my whole class doing digital storytelling!
Wow! I am excited just reading about your plans. The Digital Storytelling assingment will be well remembered as many of us are planning to implement them into our regular box of teacher tools. I do agree that the spoken word can often create emotions that the written word has difficulty accomplishing.
ReplyDeleteThe use of this resource by students will add another diminsion to the school. If the grant is approved, you will have used technology across the curriculum. Your enthusaism shows. I am sure it has been well received by your students. Good luck with the grant. Your students are really fortunate to have you.
Isn't digital story telling such an impelling and motivating tool for students! I taught an E.I.P. class last year. The previous year I had joined a Podcasting initiative team for my district. We were to create podcast and teach our students to create them as well. I received a MacBook Pro, 6 ipods, 1 iPad, flipcam, and a green screen. The principal decided to give me the top students thinking they would be the best to use the equipment. I enjoyed working with my top class and they created some wonderful products but nothing compared to working with students who face learning deficits and motivation problems. This class worked so hard and enjoyed every minute of learning. They were able to use all of the technology through various subjects. At the end of the year, they wrote and produced a media festival project that won on the International level! They all passed the CRCT. I was able to begin to go even further with the technology and started robotics lessons. I've always waited for just the right class. The principal was so impressed that she purchased extra robotics materials for my class. The projects were phenomenal! Digital storytelling can work wonders!
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