Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Art of Digital Storytelling


We all know that storying is an ancient art form passed on from the generations before us. In fact, it goes back centuries, just ask the Grimm brothers and where they got most of their fairy tales! (Well, you can't ask them because they aren't alive, but if you did ask them they would tell you they got their stories from listening to people verbally share them.)

With the 21st century learner being a type of learner that succeeds extremely well when utilizing technology, the best way to have your students tell a story is through a podcast (also known as a digital story). 

There are many applications your students can use to create a podcast (Garageband for Mac users and Trakax for PC users). Once students write out their scripts, they can then record themselves reading their script. Once that's complete they can upload their images to go along with the script. For some added pizzazz students can add music to go along with their story. Once the student has completed any final editing it's time to publish it and share it! 

It's a great alternative to a written assignment and allows for creativity and critical thinking. Give it a try and you'll be amazed at what your students produce, and even yourself! With some practice you, too, can become a professional digital storyteller!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Going On A Scavenger Hunt (without leaving your computer's side)



Most people think of scavenger hunts as running around with a map to multiple locations in order to find whatever it is you're searching for. Take that concept and apply it to using the world wide web and voila, you have a wonderful activity for your classroom!

It's quite simple. Either you can make up your own where students go hunting through the web to find answers on multiple websites or find one that's already been created that fits your lesson. Kids seem to love it and it's a great way to not only reinforce the lesson being taught but to also reinforce the importance and valuable use of utilizing technology in the classroom to enhance a lesson!

So get out there and look up a few on the web that have already been created. And then brave the web and create your own (if you are adventurous enough)!