Have you heard of Digital Storytelling? This is a fun project-based learning or constructivist learning approach to 21st century biography in and out of the classroom. The University of Houston has an interesting perspective on the educational uses of
digital storytelling if you are looking for more information on this interesting topic, including great samples on a variety of topics.
While I do not have a classroom at the moment (though I love the idea of creating collaborative digital stories in a high school setting, this idea is so adaptable, especially for cross-curricular lessons), I have been using the concepts of digital storytelling while working with my college student staff to incorporate educational technology into their peer tutoring practice. In particular, we have been playing with the idea of using digital stories to create more engaging independent trainings through simulated virtual scenarios. Let me tell you, starting this process has lead down one serious rabbit hole! There are SO many resources on the web to create online visual and auditory stories.
A few very helpful lists of online resources to create digital stories can be found
here and
here. Working with two of my Lead Tutors (those who have done advanced certification and training work and themselves conduct portions of tutor trainings), we are in the process of developing a protocol, samples and "rubric" for tutors to complete. We are asking them to use a digital media of their choice to create a virtual, simulated experience that will help them demonstrate comprehension of training concepts related to "Assertiveness" and "Working with Difficult Students," two required training topics for them this semester. We have had a lot of fun working on the concepts together and are starting to weave the pieces together nicely.
Because I have amazing student staff members who are excited about new learning modalities, they were eager to get started on this project! Here are a few of the samples produced through
Go!Animate and
Yodio. Other options were to use iMovie, Prezi, Slideshare, etc. I apologize for not including the embedded videos but my Blogger account wasn't happy today :) I also started down the path of creating a Wiki to house ALL of the training materials required under our certifying authority... you know, I sometimes think being an educator would be a LOT easier if I wasn't such a perfectionist type-A. Starting to put a few pieces of training material online is turning into wanting to put the entire years-worth of training materials online. If you're going to do something, you might as well do it right, you know?!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the above two samples. Once more of my staff complete their own digital simulations and our wiki has a bit more of a life to it, I will be sure to share the content here.
Have you thought of using or are you already using digital storytelling for more collaborative learning in your classroom?
Hi MrsFord,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you used this to support the success of the project with the technical specialists in the field. I think the teacher alone cannot ensure the success of the project, he or she must support the crew of the School of Administration, teachers and also be responsible for the technical developments.
Thank you for sharing.
Muneer
I must say that I can truly relate to your comment "there are SO many resources on the web to create online visual and auditory stories." That is definitely an understatement. There is really no reason why teachers, who take the time to research, cannot effectively integrate digitally storytelling into their current curriculum.
ReplyDeleteAs a type-A personality myself, I have the tendency to want to try it all...right now! But then reality sets in and I realize that I cannot do it all, and that's okay. As long as I am strategically planning my curriculum with the proper technology, and continually moving forward, the kids will still benefit. Case in point: I introduced our 9th grade class to Prezi.com last week, and they have already come up with some phenomenal projects...and they're excited about it!
So, with the number of resources at our fingertips (and you posted some great ones, by the way), I am excited to introduce my students and our faculty to the great possibilities. Thanks so much for your post!
Muneer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback! I agree with you that the teacher can never truly be successful without the support of the administration, parents and technical support to boot. I appreciate your comments.
Cindy, Thanks so much for your thoughtful and thorough feedback. I would LOVE to see what your 9th graders come up with. Isn't it exciting sparking the interest of curious minds?!
MrsFord,
ReplyDeleteI find it to be a great inspiration that you have high aspirations for creating digital stories in cross curricular high school settings. I think that by the time students get into high school they are so focused on SAT and ACT testing and getting into college (those who wish to) that they lose sight of combining ideas.
While cross curricular activities can be a long and arduous endevour, teachers who take the time usually find that the return in both interest and achievement are well worth it. And if we can add the twist of technology that would make things even better for all involved.
I have a question that I would like to ask:
How much time should content area teachers spend teaching students how to use programs like Prezi or other digital storytelling platforms? I mean, in a time when we are given more content to cover and fewer hours/days to deliver it...can we afford to spend time showing students (those who do not understand) how to use the digital platforms? Or better yet, can we afford to NOT teach them?
Good post!
mike
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your response. I agree with you that cross-curricular lesson planning can be a bit challenging but is important. You mention in your response that the students are so focused on their testing that they lose sight and I agree, but I think more importantly you get to the heart of it when discussing time. Most high school teachers are fairly constrained by time to run through standards requirements but cross-curricular planning can really be the answer to this.
Prezi can be SO time consuming, however, it can also be a collaborative tool. If teachers had more group planning time, Prezi could be a great tool for lesson planning between area specialists. Great question you raise... I think it comes down to changing the structure of our curriculum design from an administrative level.
Thanks as always!