If you give a child the opportunity to partake in Digital storytelling, he or she will probably want to...

Characters brought to life right before your eyes. Scenery as vivid as the eye can see. Music that adds both drama and suspense. A child’s creativity running rampant as he or she uses real life images to portray a time old tale. To what exactly am I referring? What is it that encompasses all of these different areas? Well, my friend, it is the world of digital storytelling. Never heard of it? Allow me to explain a little further…

Digital storytelling is a way to digitally tell a story through means of enhanced interactive graphics, video and audio. Digital storytelling allows students to play an active role in the creation of a story, or recreation of a timeless classic. Through digital storytelling, students are provided with the opportunity to use various digital media, such as cameras, computers, audio software, Google images, and so much more. Students dabble in all of the above mentioned areas, all in efforts to create an engaging representation of the story at hand.

This week, we read about ways in which we can incorporate digital media within the walls of our classroom. We read of ways to expose students to the bevy of digital media that exists in this world, therefore providing them with needed practice for their eventual real world use. Digital storytelling is just one way in which we can expose our students to the realm of digital media.

I attended a workshop last fall that spoke of Digital storytelling. The presenter shared the many ways in which we can incorporate digital storytelling within our curriculum. She shared with us a digital story that she and her class had created, collaboratively, with a fellow second grade class. The students recreated the story of If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Numeroff. Using their own class pet, which was a mouse, they photographed him doing the various things that the little mouse in the story does. Each student was assigned a specific job of which they were in charge. The final product was more than a fun and creative depiction of this timeless classic; the final product was a successful group project in which students learned to work together and fulfill their job responsibilities, as well as a heightened awareness and exposure to one particular facet of digital media.

As you can see, there are so many ways in which students can become engaged in digital storytelling. It is all about taping into our creative side, and working together to create something great. What are some ideas you have for a digital story? I would love to hear how you have used them within your own classroom!

A Tale of Digital Storytelling...

Below is a link to my first ever Prezi, that's right, I'm actually onto Prezi's now! The central focus of this Prezi is the idea of "Digital Storytelling" and the vast benefits that come with the implementation of this wonderful source of media within the classroom. What is Digital Storytelling you ask? Well, let me tell you...  Hop onboard and come with me through my journey of Digital Storytelling, the journey of a lifetime... (ok, maybe not lifetime, but certainly of the past week...)

Let's Go!

http://prezi.com/i9w19c-hoqur/a-tale-of-digital-storytelling/

Just a jump, hop and a Skype away...

It seems that much of what I choose to write about in these blogs stems from personal experiences; this week is no different. A few weeks ago, one of my closest friends gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Unfortunately, her husband was unable to be present for the birth. The reason for this was because he is currently bravely serving our country oversees as a distinguished member of the United States Marine Corps. As I stated, he was not present for the birth, but he did not miss a second of the delivery. In fact, he saw every single moment of that day, felt every single emotion within the room, and heard that very first single cry from his brand new baby girl. You may be wondering how this was possible. How could he have experienced and seen all of this occur when he was thousands of miles away? The answer lies in one small software application simply known as, Skype.  

Skype, as its definition states, is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the internet. All that is needed is this application, two functioning computers and recipients on both ends to create an extremely powerful and profound connection, as seen in the story above. This got me thinking. A major aspect of teaching is connecting our students to the outside world. As teachers, we should be exposing them to and immersing them in the rich diversity that exists all around us. By providing them with unique opportunities to make lasting connections with others, we are strengthening their awareness of the happenings of the world. My friend and her husband were able to make such a connection from thousands of miles away. Skype presents us, as educators, with the rich opportunity to make these connections with students who may be right around the corner, or in this case, a little bit farther away.

 

I started thinking about ways in which I could incorporate Skype into my curriculum. I researched, online, how fellow teachers have chosen to implement Skype within their own classrooms, and the numerous benefits that resulted from the implementation of this application. I came across so many innovative ideas as to how we can use this form of digital-media to further enhance the learning experience, and engagement levels, of our students. Some of the most creative and engaging ideas mentioned included; setting up a Skype session with the author of the book you and your class have just completed, having discussions with classes in other states as well as overseas to gain powerful insight into their culture and classroom dynamics, using Skype as a means of professional development with regards to attending out of state conferences and sessions online, and lastly taking virtual field trips to out of state locations, as well as enabling students who cannot physically attend a field trip for various reasons to still partake.

These are just a few of the many, many ideas I stumbled upon this week, but the uses and possibilities of Skype within the classroom are truly limitless. Technology has provided us with so many amazing opportunities to connect with the community in which we live, and the world of which we are a part. The Skype application is just one of those many ways that is enabling us to continually make, with our students, those powerful and lasting connections and meaningful learning experiences.

Below is a link to a number of creative ways in which you can incorporate Skype into your own classroom. What are some other ideas you have, or creative ways you have used Skype with your students?

(2001). 50 Awesome ways to use Skype in the classroom. Teaching Degree. Retrieved from      http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/