Digital Storytelling 4 Kids features examples of digital storytelling created with Creaza, Photo Peach, Voki, Photo Show, Go Animate, Make Beliefs Comix, Animoto, Dvolver, Flickr, and probably many more digital storybook resources. I have found that there are just too many resources available. My best advice would be to start slow and work with what you know. Use the tools that both you and your students are comfortable with. Larry Ferlazzo's blog and this wiki could also be helpful tools in getting started with using digital storytelling with your students.
I personally have just begun my venture into the world of digital storytelling. Today for the first time, I used Storybird with a group of fourth grade students. I explained to my students that they were going to create a digital story book but first I wanted to give them the opportunity to explore the concept of digital storytelling. It took them only a few minutes to become familiar with navigating the site, read a few examples, and gain interest in writing their own digital storybooks. They are so looking forward to their next time with me when they will have an opportunity to begin using the tools within this site to write their own stories. While we were exiting the computer lab, I could already hear this group of students discussing their story ideas, potential issues, and concerns thus demonstrating their critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills already. My job is to get these students to enhance these skills by modeling the skills needed to succeed in this digital arena!
Wow, Kelly, after our conversation the other day, I assumed your work with the students was so scripted that you were not able to offer them creative activities beyond what was in the stated plan for each child. However, it is nice to hear that you do have some flexibility. The illustrations in Storybird are motivating, and creating a story gives students a chance to be both creative and to practice their writing skills. More so, they have a finished project that they can share and be proud of.
ReplyDeleteThis is my one and only group this year that is a Title 1 Reading Group and not an intervention group. A little more flexibility but because this group does still have to focus on comprehension skills I need to include that daily as well. Writing their own digital stories will allow them to incorporate their comprehension skills into their writing. Our focus will be on writing in a manner that allows the reader to be able to comprehend the book!
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