What is digital storytelling? Digital story telling uses computer based tools to tell a story. It can contain images, text, audio, video and/or music.
Why use it? Allowing students to create digital stories gives them an opportunity to collaborate and communicate with others, write creatively, express themselves and use technology in a meaningful way.
Should you try try it in your K-4 classroom? Older students with a little ‘tech know how’ can use tools such as Audacity, iMovie or Movie Maker but for elementary students there are some great web applications that are much easier to navigate.
- LittleBird Tales http://littlebirdtales.com/ : LittleBird Tales have a very user friendly interface. Upload images (students can draw them or take pictures), record narration, and share their story by emailing the URL.
Student example: Judy Moody Predicts the Future
- Blabberize http://blabberize.com/ : Easy tool for beginners. Upload a picture and outline the mouth, record, save and receive a URL to share with others.
Second grade example: Chickie by Lance
- Storybird http://storybird.com/ : Students choose artwork to inspire writing and create a story from an image gallery. The finished story can be printed or watched on screen. * It’s easy for students to focus on the artwork instead of the writing.
Student example: The Busy City
- Photo Story 3 http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11132 : Older elementary students will be able to use Photo Story with some guidance. Upload images, add text and/or record narration and select transitions and/or effects. Photo Story will render the story that can be played in Windows Media Player. * you will need to download and install Photo Story 3
Photo Story 3 User Guide: www.jakesonline.org/photostory.pdf
Photo Story 3 tutorial video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0oH9qE9qEY
What equipment do I need?
Computer with internet access
Microphone
Digital camera *only if you are going to take your own pictures
Scanner *only if you are going to scan student drawings
How do I get started?
Decide what story you are going to tell. Are your students going to do a personal narrative, put a twist on a traditional story or create a story that highlights a concept you’ve taught? Pick an application and you are on your way.
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ReplyDeleteRachelM
ReplyDeleteThose are great digital story-telling tools! Thank you for sharing!
I especially enjoy the Judy Moody summary. I can see that program (and the others) benefiting my 6th graders who are low readers. We ask them to create summaries from their reading logs. Asking them to develop their "tech skills" along with their summary skills seems like a great combination. Adding the visuals to text helps the low readers develop their literacy and communicate their point.
I also love these tools as introductions to personal narratives. My beginning and intermediate ESL students need visuals with their writing, and they certainly need the technology skills as well.
Wow, thanks for sharing! I am not a teacher, but as a writer, myself, I am always looking for new creative outlets.
ReplyDeleteI love how digital storytelling can incorporate different learning styles while giving the students opportunities to express their creativity. I also see how this could be beneficial in the older grades as well!
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I would like to use this in my classroom with a project I already do call "The Day I Was Born". The students would be able to tell their story in digital form and learn the use of different softwares that are available to enhance their creativity.
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