Students who create digital multimedia content are focused and highly motivated. In 2005, I started a Digital Authoring Initiative at Glenfield Middle School in Montclair, New Jersey. The purpose of this initiative was to have the students become creators of multimedia content not just consumers. The goal was to take them beyond traditional assignments and learn 21st century skills including: research, collaboration, problem solving and presentation skills. The focus was on two major areas: Digital Storytelling and Podcasting. Digital stories are multimedia presentations which students create by weaving images, music, and voice together. They are able to express understanding, and present situations, experiences, and insights. Stories can be created on a variety of topics including science, social studies and personal or social issues. They revolve around a theme and often contain a particular viewpoint. Podcasts are a powerful communication tools that we are harnessing to improve communication with students, their families and the community. As they are researching information and creating and editing their projects, they are spending a great deal of time with the information: analyzing it, synthesizing it and communicating it. Teachers have embraced this initiative and have noted a significant increase in student engagement, retention and knowledge transfer. This initiative was recently recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education and showcased at "Kid Tech Day 2008". This conversation will focus on best practices, assessment and how the role of the teacher and the student change.
Engaging Students, Determining Prior Knowledge and Building Context
Before beginning this unit of study, teachers should assemble a Digital Storytelling Journal for each student. Suggested materials for the journal can be found here.
To determine prior knowledge of digital storytelling, have students do a quick-write (a bulleted list of words and phrases; sentences and paragraphs are not necessary) in response to “What do the words ‘digital storytelling’ mean to you?” and “What makes an interesting story?” Looking at your students’ responses will give you an understanding of their current knowledge about digital storytelling.
Begin a conversation about digital storytelling and the elements of a good story by dividing students into several small groups. Provide each group with a computer. Have them watch 4 or 5 of the student-made digital stories from Cybersmart!’s Digital Storytelling Initiative. http://cybersmart.org/africa/storytelling/gallery/
Have students discuss the following questions about the student-made videos within their small group.
What surprised you in the video?
What did you learn from the video?
What more do you want to know?
Have student record their responses in their Digital Storytelling Journal. As a whole group, allow students to share their responses to the questions and their overall impressions of digital stories they watched.
Students who create digital multimedia content are focused and highly motivated. In 2005, I started a Digital Authoring Initiative at Glenfield Middle School in Montclair, New Jersey. The purpose of this initiative was to have the students become creators of multimedia content not just consumers. The goal was to take them beyond traditional assignments and learn 21st century skills including: research, collaboration, problem solving and presentation skills. The focus was on two major areas: Digital Storytelling and Podcasting. Digital stories are multimedia presentations which students create by weaving images, music, and voice together. They are able to express understanding, and present situations, experiences, and insights. Stories can be created on a variety of topics including science, social studies and personal or social issues. They revolve around a theme and often contain a particular viewpoint. Podcasts are a powerful communication tools that we are harnessing to improve communication with students, their families and the community. As they are researching information and creating and editing their projects, they are spending a great deal of time with the information: analyzing it, synthesizing it and communicating it. Teachers have embraced this initiative and have noted a significant increase in student engagement, retention and knowledge transfer. This initiative was recently recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education and showcased at "Kid Tech Day 2008". This conversation will focus on best practices, assessment and how the role of the teacher and the student change.
http://educon21.wikispaces.com/Conversations#e204-5Digital Storytelling Tools
Grade 3
Digital Storytelling: A Tutorial in 10 Easy Steps
How to Create Simple Digital Stories
Audacity Tutorial: Using Audacity
Digital Storytelling
video gallery
Before beginning this unit of study, teachers should assemble a Digital Storytelling Journal for each student. Suggested materials for the journal can be found here.
To determine prior knowledge of digital storytelling, have students do a quick-write (a bulleted list of words and phrases; sentences and paragraphs are not necessary) in response to “What do the words ‘digital storytelling’ mean to you?” and “What makes an interesting story?” Looking at your students’ responses will give you an understanding of their current knowledge about digital storytelling.
Begin a conversation about digital storytelling and the elements of a good story by dividing students into several small groups. Provide each group with a computer. Have them watch 4 or 5 of the student-made digital stories from Cybersmart!’s Digital Storytelling Initiative. http://cybersmart.org/africa/storytelling/gallery/
Have students discuss the following questions about the student-made videos within their small group.
- What surprised you in the video?
- What did you learn from the video?
- What more do you want to know?
Have student record their responses in their Digital Storytelling Journal. As a whole group, allow students to share their responses to the questions and their overall impressions of digital stories they watched.digital storytelling activity types
Digital Storytelling Classroom Project
http://duanebkarlin.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/web-2-0-technology-lesson-plans.pdf