In EDT503 at West Chester University, I am participating in a group project in which we are to explain digital storytelling in the format of a digital story. My group consists of four educators that span many grade levels and areas of expertise. As a result, we decided to not only define digital storytelling, but give examples of how it can be used effectively in multiple age groups and subject areas. We have decided to work together to create the introduction and conclusion of our digital story and then each work on creating a short piece on varying grade levels to show how to effectively use digital storytelling in the K-12 setting.
For my individual piece, I decided to research how to best use digital storytelling with elementary students. As a first grade teacher I often hear that it is simply “too hard” for young students to participate in technologically advanced projects such as creating a video. I think that as long as the teachers provide the proper instruction and supports, the students will experience success. As I contemplated how digital storytelling could be used with my students, I realized that many forms of stories could easily be transferred to the digital format. Elementary teachers often create class books, in which each student contributes a page to a centrally themed book (i.e. Our Families). The teacher could easily turn this classic assignment into a digital story by filming each student as he or she reads his/her page aloud. Pair their narration with the image of their drawing and then string all of the students’ individual pieces together to create a digital class book! Teachers could also have students create individual or group digital stories of pieces that they have written, retelling of well known stories, or even creating a new version of a beloved tale. There are many ways in which elementary students can be engaged in digital storytelling and, I believe, all ways would prove to be exciting for the students.
I have discussed these points in the narration for my individual portion of my group’s digital story. I know that my group members are also thinking of creative ways for their students to engage in digital storytelling and I can’t wait to see the final product of our collective work.
I really liked your idea of using students' individual pieces to create a digital story. It does not require much technology skills nor it is very time consuming, and I can only imagine how excited students would be for seeing their drawings and hearing their own voices in the final story.
ReplyDeleteI like that you will be displaying differentiated approaches for digital storytelling for varying grade levels. Even though you may be showing how to use elements of digital storytelling at a more elementary level, I think it will also provide teachers at all grades levels that do not have a technology background an access point to digital storytelling. Additionally, it will provide methods to implement simple forms of digital storytelling in classes that do not seem to lend themselves to digital storytelling (i.e. math).
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