Digital Storytelling Project Dream

In EME5050 this week we read a chapter on Technology, Digital Media and Curriculum Integration. Basically, it was about integrating technology into the classroom and the curriculum. The chapter also discussed different ways to use technology in the classroom or computer lab setting. For our actual written assignment this week we have been asked to dream a bit about what kind of digital storytelling project we would want our students to complete and then come up with a plan to do it.

If I were to have my students complete a digital storytelling project, I would want my fourth graders to complete one on the early explorers in Florida. My students would work in groups of no more than four. They would be responsible for gathering their information from multiple sources. I would guide them on how to appropriately use their sources and introduce them to the technological programs that they would be using to complete their projects.

Before they get started on their project I would show my students the Wendy Drexler video on the networked student to introduce them to the various ways that we use technology in our daily lives. My students have no real concept of just how much of an impact technology has on their lives because they have never lived without it. After the Drexler video we would hold a classroom discussion on the many ways that technology can be used in the classroom. I would also ask our computer lab teacher to lead them through a tutorial on how to use both programs during their computer lab time. After this has been completed, I would then present to them the basis for their project and show them a sample project using both Power Point and Prezi. The students will have a choice of which type of software they would like to use for the presentation of their project. Students will also receive a rubric containing all of the requirements their assignment must meet in order to receive a passing grade.

I would have my students begin by choosing from a list which explorer they would like to learn more about. In a group they would complete a KWL chart outlining what they already know and what they would like to learn more about. Then they may begin their research. The students would be responsible for gathering information from books, magazines, and of course, the internet. Next to each computer would be a list of kid-friendly websites that are deemed appropriate to use for their research, such as Ask for Kids, KidsClick!, and Yahooligans. As students find out more about their explorer they can finish their KWL chart by filling in what they have learned. Once all of their information has been compiled students may begin creating their presentations using Prezi or Power Point. They will compile all of their information into appropriate categories and accompany their information with pictures to illustrate. When their projects are completed each group will present their digital storytelling project to the class, teaching their fellow classmates at the same time about an important historical figure in our state's history.

Resources:

Shelly, G. & Gunter, G & Gunter, R. (2010). Teacher Discovering Computers Integrating technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. (6th Ed.) Cengage Learning

Drexler, W. (2008). The networked student. Retrieved September 11, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOotA

Ask for Kids – http://www.askkids.com

KidsClick! - http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!

Yahooligans! - http://kids.yahoo.com

Digital Storytelling

     This week for EME5050 we were required to read Chapter 5 Integrating Digital Media and Educational Software Applications. Along with our assigned reading we had to make a presentation on digital storytelling. Our chapter discussed what digital media is and how it is used. Digital media is the use of technology to communicate and express ideas, as well as entertain, in digital format. Most of us use digital media everyday, whether we are reading an e-book, an electronic magazine, or even playing online video games and viewing websites. In our modern world digital media is everywhere. It is now time that it is included further into the classroom. The digital storytelling presentation is where this idea comes in.

     Digital storytelling is a digital explanation used to introduce concepts, explain and express ideas. It can also be used to tell a traditional story. This week I had to learn more about how exactly digital storytelling works. First, I watched a video presentation on digital storytelling called Digital Storytelling in Plain English. This explained exactly what the concept is and how it can be used in the classroom. I really thought it was awesome. Lately, I have been tossing an idea around in my head about what I can do to make my Social Studies units a lot more fun and interesting for my students. The materials that are provided for us to use are, in my opinion, BORING!! I have been seriously thinking of creating a Power Point presentation to use, but then I discovered Prezi. Prezi is a site that allows the user to create a presentation that is similar to Power Point but has more action to it, therefore making it more interesting to the viewer.

     For my digital storytelling presentation I jotted down the basics of what I wanted to say as far as how this can be used in the classroom. Once I did this I perspicaciously began making my Prezi. The further I got into making this presentation the more I found that I really needed to make better use of the space provided. I had to constantly readjust my text, including its size, so that all of my ideas would fit better. Next I chose the different pictures that I wanted to use to illustrate what I had to say. Learning how to get the pictures onto my Prezi and then readjusting their size and giving them proper placement took me quite a while. Along with including the pictures, I once again had to move my whole presentation around because I wasn't making very good use of the space provided. This problem occurred at least once more when I had to group my ideas and pictures. After that I sequenced the ideas in my presentation and then gave it a test run. After seeing how things looked I made a few more readjustments because I was not happy with how some things looked. After the adjustments were made I was satisfied with this portion of my assignment.

     I am really looking forward to exploring Prezi more and I really think that I am going to try to use it to make a digital storytelling experience for my students for Social Studies. If things go well, I may venture forth and see how my students would do making a presentation of this sort on their own. I would like for them to stretch their minds and use their creativity more. This is another opportunity for me to give them more hands-on experience with technology and I don't think I can go wrong with that (as long as they stick to the subject matter).

Digital Storytelling on Prezi

About Me!

   This week's activity in my technology class involved making an “About Me” page. I always find it interesting when I come across the little box that wants me to write information about me. I'm always boggled about what I should say. Anybody who knows me knows that in person I usually have a lot to say. But rarely do I like to really talk about me and who I am – really. For me, it's like sitting in a job interview and being asked to list all the great things about myself that I can “bring to the table”. In situations like these I always feel extremely awkward. I don't like to talk about myself because it feels like bragging. It's made worse when I have to put it in writing because there is always going to be a trace of it left behind- what if it says something about me that I don't want people to know? Is that how I want to be remembered?

   As I approached this assignment I took a look at the YouTube video "...you don't get to write your own resume...". It was a resounding point for me that it really matters what kind of information you put about yourself out in the world. How you represent yourself really matters. On the internet, no matter what I do, there will be a digital footprint left behind. So, do I want to post silly pictures of myself on Facebook or a picture of myself enjoying a drink while on vacation? Maybe... maybe not. It really is important in my profession as an educator to represent myself well. But I also take issue with the fact that I am expected to have a pure reputation and forgo any sort of interesting social life. I guess what it comes down to is in the world of Facebook, etc. it really does matter who you let into your world. In my case, it is strictly friends and family. I constantly have people tell me that they cannot locate me and that is just the way that I like it.

   I also tried using MIT's Personas project and the Online Identity Calculator. I received some interesting results. With the Personas project there were no traces of me to be found. This was interesting because I do have a Facebook account, as well as a blog for this class, and of course a few other various results I may find on myself on Google. The Online Identity Calculator actually had me search for myself on Google. The things that I found about myself were accurate, right down to the church I attend and the time I placed on a 5k run a few years back.

   Google Profile is where I chose to make my About Me page. I did go ahead and write a small paragraph about myself- what I do, my philosophy in learning, and a cute little fact about me. I even stretched myself a little and listed the things I enjoy doing most. I want my profile to be a professional one. If my students or parents were to look me up I would not want them to know too much personal information about me, but what it is that I love about teaching. I would also like to list some more links that parents or students could use if they were looking for more help in en educational capacity. I look forward to exploring this project further and seeing how I can develop it more.

Profile Now Available!

Check out the "My Profile" link under the "Links" section on the right...you might learn something new about me!

Operation Spreadsheet: Excel?????

When looking at our assignment schedule for class this week I saw that we were focusing on productivity. I thought to myself that this shouldn't be too bad because generally I'm a productive person. Then, I saw that our activity that we were working on was a spreadsheet. I immediately felt a sense of doom. We were going to be working with Microsoft Excel. Excel is a spreadsheet software program that allows the use to organize numeric data in rows and columns (Shelly, Gunter & Gunter, 2010). In college, when taking the “required” technology course on Microsoft Office, Excel was my nemesis. I couldn't figure it out and I'm still not sure why. So, I approached this assignment with much caution. I took a deep breath, sequestered myself in my home office, and jumped into the world of Excel.

Upon opening up the sample Excel spreadsheet provided for the class, I immediately began to follow the step-by-step instructions given to the class on how to complete our work. I easily completed changing the color of the contents for each column, thinking this was as easy as using Microsoft Word (a program I know well and use often). Inserting new columns and labeling them for more Homework assignments and Tests wasn't too bad after I re-sized the columns to fit the names of their categories. This fear of Excel that I had had for years was disappearing and I was feeling a bit confident.

Next, the instructions require the addition of two columns that are supposed to display student averages for all homework and test averages. My new found confidence began to take a nosedive as I started to fumble around trying to figure out the function formula. A function is a predefined formula for adding up a group of cells (for example – averaging) (Shelly, et al., 2010). After struggling for a small period of time, I began to explore the many different buttons displayed on the screen that help you to perform specific actions. I found the function wizard! For this portion of the assignment, the function wizard became my new best friend. I happily used it!

The last few steps towards completing this assignment were not so terrible once I felt comfortable enough to really explore Excel. Sorting the final grade and bold-facing the names of my fictional students that were failing wasn't a hard thing to do. I had to do a bit of research and use the help function in order to dynamically make the student names appear on the other worksheets. After completing the required tasks, I decided to take a stab at trying to get the additional extra credit points for the assignment. Hopefully, the concept I came up with – that the student's tests should be equal to or preferably higher than their homework assignments is correct. Time will tell.

Once I submitted my sample grade book, I reflected back on this most recent experience with Excel. It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I found myself enjoying the challenge and the time it took to complete it. Being an educator that uses a software program on a daily basis that does all the averaging and report producing for me, I found this experience refreshing. Using Excel enabled me to see how a program like the one I use everyday (and does all of the work for me) really works! It was “A-ha!” moment for me. I'm looking forward to exploring Excel further on my own and seeing what else this program has to offer.

References:

Shelly, G. & Gunter, G & Gunter, R. (2010). Teacher Discovering Computers Integrating technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. (6th Ed.) Cengage Learning