Beyond the Boring Book Report:
How to Use Digital StorytellingAmanda Nickel
Minford High SchoolEnglish Instructor
About Me…
• Amanda Nickel
• Have taught 7-12 grade Language Arts and Technology
• Mother to (soon to be 7 year old) Carter
• I graduated from Portsmouth East High School, and I live in Wheelersburg
• B.A English
• M.Ed Educational Technology
• This is my 9th year of teaching
Name Game!
• Who are you???
• Tell us your name and 1or 2 interesting fact(s) about yourself.
• My picture was on Oprah!!
• I studied in London, England.
Words from a Student
• “Teach me in new ways. Connect with me.”
• “Be THAT teacher.”
• “I want to be creative. Let people hear my voice.”
• “Believe in my ability. I’m not looking for Hollywood.”
• “I want to be a storyteller.”
• “Train me.”
What is Digital Storytelling?
Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view. However, as the name implies, particular point of view. However, as the name implies, digital stories usually contain some mixture of computer-digital stories usually contain some mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Digital stories can vary in length, but most and/or music. Digital stories can vary in length, but most of the stories used in education typically last between two of the stories used in education typically last between two and ten minutes. The topics that are used in Digital and ten minutes. The topics that are used in Digital Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in other corners of the community to the search for life in other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between. universe, and literally, everything in between.
Digital Storytelling Allows Students to:
• Improve their writing.
• Show creativity.
• Have a voice.
• Digital storytelling projects lend themselves well to portfolio assessment.
“Writing digital stories ignites a love of learning and creates powerful teaching stories for others to share and enjoy.”
Microsoft.com
The Learning Power of Digital Storytelling
• Encourages research
• Encourages Students to write and to work at becoming better writers
• Fosters critical thinking skills
• Gives students a voice
• Tells a personal narrative
• Helps students retain knowledge longer
• Enhances learning by encouraging students to communicate
• Helps students make a connection
• Encourages creativity
• Works well with portfolio assessment
• Promotes digital literacy
An Intro
Student WorkStudent Work
Kindergarten Student
More Student Work
12th Grade Student
What you need
• Computer/Internet Access
• Digital Camera
• Headphones
The Process
• Brainstorm
• Collect/sort/decide which ideas to pursue
• Research (Save Pictures, Videos, etc)
• Create Storyboard
• Build the story
• Revise/Edit
• Polish
• Proof
• Share
• Evaluate
Brainstorm
• What is the assignment?
• Example- The Color Purple theme assignment
• Discuss theme and potential themes from the novel
• Will this be in chronological order?? Process? (ex. Life Cycle, Creation of a sculpture, How a Bill Becomes a Law)
Research- This takes the most time
• Search for pictures and/or videos
• Be sure students create a new folder and SAVE TO THAT SAME FOLDER EVERY TIME!!!
• The key is to find as many pictures as possible and then sort through later. It is better to have too many pictures than not enough.
• Some students may already have a song in mind. Have this song file saved in the same folder as well. It is easiest to rip music from a CD or have it transferred from a flash drive.
Create Storyboard
• This step is often skipped but is very important with organization
• Advertisers use storyboards for commercials
• What is the movie going to look like?
• How will it flow?
• Can create one using Word- may just draw/sketch it out
Build the Story
• Time to put it all together!!!
• First Step: Import pictures
Importing the Pictures
• Select the entire folder
Creating• Giving the Movie a Title
• Click on 2. Edit Movie
• Make Titles or Credits
Creating
• Drag pictures to storyboard
• Decide Transitions
• 2. Edit Movie- View Video Transitions
• 2. Edit Movie- View Video Effects
Timing
Click on SHOW TIMELINE
Click and drag to shorten or lengthen a slide
Adding Music
• You may have already imported the music when you imported the picture files.
• Click on 1. Capture Video - Import Audio or Music and select file
• File will show up like a music note
• Click and drag that down to the storyboard just like the pictures
Adding Text
• 2. Edit Movie Make Titles or Credits
• Text can go before or after slides
• Credits can be added to the end (practice citation)
Revise/Edit (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Trim pictures/music
• Correct spelling/grammar mistakes
• Peer Edit
Publish
• When the movie is COMPLETELY FINISHED- no more changes needed, it is time to publish
• This is under Step 3 Finish Movie
Publish
• Click on SAVE TO MY COMPUTER, title the movie, and select the saving location (i.e H DRIVE)
References
• Microsoft.com
• Tell a Story, Become a Lifelong Learner
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