COMMON CORE STANDARDS:

Craft and Structure:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.

 

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.9
Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

 

ISTE NETS STANDARDS

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning

and creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter,

teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate

experiences that advance student learning,

creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face

and virtual environments.

a. Promote, support, and model creative

and innovative thinking and inventiveness

3. Model digital age work and learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work

processes representative of an innovative

professional in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems

and the transfer of current knowledge to new

technologies and situations

REFLECTION ON DIGITAL STORYTELLING:

I found the experience of creating a digital story both challenging and rewarding. It was challenging for me because I had an idea for a lesson but wasn't sure whether I would find the appropriate images or music to tell my story. However, the experience of creating a digital story was rewarding because it gave me the opportunity to use a tool (technology) that students will probably find entertaing and interesting. It took me a few days to make my video, and there were times when I was rather frustrated with the process because it took me a while to develop my story. I was also frustrated because it took me a long time to find images that I liked. Sometimes, I found an image that I liked, but it was too small for the video and I had to replace it. Overall, though, I really enjoyed the experience and was happy with the final product. In order to make my digital story coherent, I found myself looking up and writing down information about the solar system that I did not know before. As a result, I was learning information about the topic that I am supposed to teaching while making my digital story.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING AS A TEACHING RESOURCE:

Two contributors to the website Educational Uses of Digital Story Telling made two points that helped me realize what a powerful tool digital storytelling is. One of the contributors, Daniel Meadows, said that digital storytelling could be used to teach any topic at any time. Although I am not sure that I can use digital storytelling to teach any topic, I understand and agree with his main point, which is that digital storytelling is very flexible. The other contributor, John Seely Brown, said that we are now living in a digital age, and that it is good we can use this tool, digital storytelling, as a means to reach students. I agree with this point because students, for the most part, seem to be fascinated with technology, and utilizing technology is a way we can make a subject matter more interesting for students. 

            The website Center for Digital Storytelling gave me new ideas on how valuable digital technology is as a tool for reaching out to people. By making videos of people from different cultures, digital storytelling gives us the opportunity to see the political and social situation, lifestyle and habits of different cultures. We cannot get this experience from just reading a book or magazine. We have to see interactions made between people in order to appreciate differences and similarities to our own culture. Digital storytelling can be used as a tool to accomplish this end.

 

OTHER DIGITAL STORY TOOLS

 

I looked at the website Educational Resources for digital storytelling and found interesting tools. One tool is called Slide Story. This site allows its users to not only add their own slides but to use their own voice to narrate their digital stories. Another interesting website that I came across is Pics List. This website gives its users the opportunity to use their preferred drawing as a background while they tell their story. Thus, users can give their videos unique presentations. There was also another website that I found interesting which was called Capzles. I really found this website interesting because users can write their own blogs in the digital story they are telling.