So, I continued on with this example project. First, I created a generic storyboard that could be used for each project. Using this storyboard, I figured out how I wanted to set up the order of my story. I then created a story through PowerPoint. I put the pictures I wanted on each slide and then recorded narration for each slide. Once I had done that, I uploaded it into SlideShare. SlideShare allows you to embed the final project into your webpage. Once movies are able to be embedded into a webpage, you can put all the students’ finalized work on it for viewing. This is great for the kids or their parents if they want to view it at home.
The great thing about making a sample project is that it gave me a lot of perspective as to what my students would be doing. I quickly realized the parts of the project that needed to be changed. I realized also that I need to find a way to make the directions more clear for them. Personally, I learn better with hands-on things, so I don’t think I am the greatest at writing directions! If I were to do things differently, I would change the directions some. Also, I would make sure the students understood that they are telling a story, not just information. There really is an art to telling a story and I think that some of my kids would have a hard time with this. Overall, I feel that the sample project came out the way I wanted it to. I tried to make it fairly simple since my students are only required to make a fairly simple digital story.
Here is my digital story example of an Influential American:
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Rosa Parks
View more presentations from cathanne1024.
Hi Catherine!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you have your curriculum page designed and I like how your project limits the students to only certain influential people. I like your slide share presentation, was there sound to it? I want to change mine up to add songs and speeches and fewer words. I didn’t know if you did this with yours since there are only pictures, I think that with fourth graders they would get a kick out of watching or listening to an old news report of Rosa Parks. YouTube, and even web sites made for influential people have clips or speeches they might have given. You could tell your students to look into adding them as well. I am a visual learner; once I see it I remember it forever. Overall I think your digital storytelling project is off to a great start.
Wow! There’s so much points that you made in your post that I agree on. First, I like what you said about “I learn better with hands-on things” because I realized that my students retain a lot more information when they have a hands-on activity. They seem more engaged and motivate to start and complete their project. Providing a sample presentation is the best way to go because your students will see and understand exactly what you are looking for in their project. Some ESOL students require a lot of redirecting and visual, so I believe this presentation will help them tremendously. Great presentation!
ReplyDeleteYou said, "My first step was to think about how my students would be doing this project. I quickly realized I would need to make a few modifications."
ReplyDeleteIsn't this always the case? More often than not, I find issues when I go to make the example for the students. On thos rare occasions when I run out of time and fail to make an example, ineviteably something blows up in my face in the classroom. No fun at all.
As for your presentation, I loved all your pictures! You mentioned that you added audio, but I couldn't hear it on my computer. Given how tempermental my technology gets sometimes, though, it could just be me.
Could I offer a suggestion? Although I get that you want this to be an audio visual story, have you thought about adding a writing component? Fourth grade students are taking the Writing FCAT, so if you can embed writing into this project, you would be killing two birds with one stone. It's just a thought, but I wanted to throw it out there.
Thanks for the post!
Kelley
Thanks for all the great comments!
ReplyDeleteKelley- good idea!! I didn't event think of that :)