Photo Story
12/2
I am happy to say that I completed the technical part of our final project. Rarely, if ever, have I finished anything this far in advance. I think I found my project really practical, and I was doing things I definitely want to do with students.
Using a Wiki as my "base", I retold the first story of Tim O'Brien's novel The Things They Carried using several different technologies and several different voices.
Using a Wiki as my "base", I retold the first story of Tim O'Brien's novel The Things They Carried using several different technologies and several different voices.
November 20
I LOVE Isabella's Smile Box blog. I think it captures the essence of all the criteria. It is thoughtful, digitally instructive and inspiring. It is just plain interesting. After watching it, I wanted to do one, and to me, that s what makes a blog engaging and practical. Thanks Isabelle!
My Blog Winners!
Professionalism:
I think my most professional post is about Digital Writing. I explained how I used it, and I provided links. As a professional should, I gave both the pros and cons of using photo story which has been my main venue for digital storytelling. I also gave several practical uses for it. Although there is not much professional controversy in it, unlike some of the other blogs that discussed ethical issues of professional blogging, I feel it was representative of my philosophy on professional blogging.
For creativity and design I picked my Glogster entry. I think it is reflective of both my creativity and my blossoming design skills. Again I explained its purpose and its value in my classroom. I specifically connected it to my project so it was more meaningful to me than just doing a random Glogster. I think it involved quite a few of the digital values we are trying to instill by using technology. I think the poster involve transmedia navigation in the collection of materials and the remixing of them. Multitasking and appropriation are also components of this project. While simulation occurs in the later tasks of the voice thread and the blog.
I think my most professional post is about Digital Writing. I explained how I used it, and I provided links. As a professional should, I gave both the pros and cons of using photo story which has been my main venue for digital storytelling. I also gave several practical uses for it. Although there is not much professional controversy in it, unlike some of the other blogs that discussed ethical issues of professional blogging, I feel it was representative of my philosophy on professional blogging.
For creativity and design I picked my Glogster entry. I think it is reflective of both my creativity and my blossoming design skills. Again I explained its purpose and its value in my classroom. I specifically connected it to my project so it was more meaningful to me than just doing a random Glogster. I think it involved quite a few of the digital values we are trying to instill by using technology. I think the poster involve transmedia navigation in the collection of materials and the remixing of them. Multitasking and appropriation are also components of this project. While simulation occurs in the later tasks of the voice thread and the blog.
Project!
So, I am inspired to work on my project. Does anyone know if there is a way to speed up voice thread? It goes so torturously slow.
Glogster
This is one aspect of my final project that I wanted to share. I am going retell one story from Tim O'Brien's novel The Things They Carry. It will be multigenre, and through it I will be trying to more deeply understand one of the stories. this spring Iplan to use it as a model for students as they will retell a different story from the novel.
I plan to use the following tools:
Glogster
voice thread
A blog
A photo story
A wiki
I will retell the story in the following genres:
A letter home (using Voice thread)
A family blog
A movie poster (Glogster)
A news article (wiki)
A found poem (wiki)
Collaborative Writing
I think wikis would be great for teaching literary theory. Students would be assigned a theory such as the feminist theory or the reader-response theory. In groups they could then create a wiki which could include the following pages:
I also really like Liz Boeser's consistent use of wikis as a class-made study guide for the books they read. Students would be given different responsibilities as the reading occurred. One group could collectively be responsible for plot elements, one could map literary devices, one group could pose reader-response questions for each section, etc.
Here is the commoncraft video of instructions, which would be easy for students to understand.
Here is a link I think Mike Walker sent to us about 50 uses for Wikis in your class.
I think the problems are pretty obvious concerning collaborative writing. Some people may not complete their part of the project or may be passive participants. This is true in any class activity, however, and perhaps, since this is such a public forum of presentation, it would motivate those students to be engaged.
- A history of the theory
- A description of the theory
- An application of the theory
- A page of further resources
I also really like Liz Boeser's consistent use of wikis as a class-made study guide for the books they read. Students would be given different responsibilities as the reading occurred. One group could collectively be responsible for plot elements, one could map literary devices, one group could pose reader-response questions for each section, etc.
Here is the commoncraft video of instructions, which would be easy for students to understand.
Here is a link I think Mike Walker sent to us about 50 uses for Wikis in your class.
I think the problems are pretty obvious concerning collaborative writing. Some people may not complete their part of the project or may be passive participants. This is true in any class activity, however, and perhaps, since this is such a public forum of presentation, it would motivate those students to be engaged.
November 3, Digital Storytelling, Post #7
I have used Photo Story numerous times. It is a great, easy tool for kids. The first year I did it the kids basically taught themselves it was so easy. I feel like I have not fully explored its capabilities though. I would like to learn how to download my own music since the music provided is less than thrilling.
An issue I have had are that kids need to save projects to a jump drive. There is not enough space in their folders for the project. It simply won't open the next day. Also, I cannot figure out how to post a Photo Story project anywhere (like this blog for example). I can post them on Edline which is great, but I'd like to know how to do it here, so I can share more easily with a broader audience.
I have kids take poems they have written and set them to music and images. I prefer that the images are of their own taking specifically for this poem, but time and my planning does not always permit this.
They could do this for lots of things the- the retelling of a short story or the telling of a story through thematic ideas and symbols.
Edina has a great page just for digital storytelling!
Here are some examples of basic PS projects. These were posted, so there has to be a way. I will email about it.
An issue I have had are that kids need to save projects to a jump drive. There is not enough space in their folders for the project. It simply won't open the next day. Also, I cannot figure out how to post a Photo Story project anywhere (like this blog for example). I can post them on Edline which is great, but I'd like to know how to do it here, so I can share more easily with a broader audience.
I have kids take poems they have written and set them to music and images. I prefer that the images are of their own taking specifically for this poem, but time and my planning does not always permit this.
They could do this for lots of things the- the retelling of a short story or the telling of a story through thematic ideas and symbols.
Edina has a great page just for digital storytelling!
Here are some examples of basic PS projects. These were posted, so there has to be a way. I will email about it.
This is an example that I found about the Jena Six. It is basic, but engaging.
I will try posting some of my students' examples.
Voice Threads
What a wonderful easy thing to do with students!
Hmmm....Kids could:
1. Create a family photo album for a character that is narrated
2. Read a poem they write to images
3. Create a kids book they would write, read, and illustrate
4. Work with others to create retelling of a book we read using images. They would have to summarize.
The only issues is having microphone access. We would need at least 15, and getting them can be a mess at times because we have a limited supply. How do I make a request? I really do not have the time to to an Edfund grant, can I just ask an administrator?
Hmmm....Kids could:
1. Create a family photo album for a character that is narrated
2. Read a poem they write to images
3. Create a kids book they would write, read, and illustrate
4. Work with others to create retelling of a book we read using images. They would have to summarize.
The only issues is having microphone access. We would need at least 15, and getting them can be a mess at times because we have a limited supply. How do I make a request? I really do not have the time to to an Edfund grant, can I just ask an administrator?
Post #4 Role Play
I used to use role play a lot more. Some of the responses I got made me feel like it was to elementary. However, in refelction, the majority of the kids really enjoyed them. Some of my activities have included:
1. Having kids take a stand about teaching Huck Finn in schools. We then held a board meeting and kids dressed up as their "roles."
2. I had kids make videos or act out scenes from the books. The best one I ever received was a reenactmetn of the ending of Farenheit 451.
3. I have kids act out vocabulary words.
4. Last week we held a mock trial concerning the guilt or innocence of Davy Land in Peace Like a River.
I would love to do this online. Kids could show off their technological savvy, and I think quieter kids would become more involved. Here are some ideas from the Kennedy Center.
1. Having kids take a stand about teaching Huck Finn in schools. We then held a board meeting and kids dressed up as their "roles."
2. I had kids make videos or act out scenes from the books. The best one I ever received was a reenactmetn of the ending of Farenheit 451.
3. I have kids act out vocabulary words.
4. Last week we held a mock trial concerning the guilt or innocence of Davy Land in Peace Like a River.
I would love to do this online. Kids could show off their technological savvy, and I think quieter kids would become more involved. Here are some ideas from the Kennedy Center.
Post #2 My Blogs
I guess this entry is really more in response to the second week's entry requirements about experience with blogging.
This year I am using blogs with both of my classes. I am not sure of how effective they are, but I can say that I have a lot fewer questions about what we did in class from kids who have been gone. I also can tell kids who have been gone to check the blog. Additionally, I can direct parents to the blog. I usually post assignments on Edline, and I direct kids to the assignments from the blog.
It is also great me. So often I forget what we have done earlier in the week, and with my blog it is all there.
Please take a look if you are interested. I highly recommend doing this.
American Literature
American Literature Foundations
This year I am using blogs with both of my classes. I am not sure of how effective they are, but I can say that I have a lot fewer questions about what we did in class from kids who have been gone. I also can tell kids who have been gone to check the blog. Additionally, I can direct parents to the blog. I usually post assignments on Edline, and I direct kids to the assignments from the blog.
It is also great me. So often I forget what we have done earlier in the week, and with my blog it is all there.
Please take a look if you are interested. I highly recommend doing this.
American Literature
American Literature Foundations
Post #5: Decisions Based on 1% of the Population
I am enjoying Ning quite a bit. I feel much less hesitant to state opinions. Some of them are my own, but I also try to play devil's advocate at times, too. This would be GREAT to do in the English class. For example, we are reading Peace Like a River, and the kids could take on the roles of the characters and debate the conflicts in the book.
At the same time, however, we could organize a day in class where each kid will assume a role and do this role-playing "live." In fact, I think that is what I am going to have to do because I asked if we could use it in school and I was told I would have to use a different program.
I will look into it, but I feel like I know Ning, I like Ning, and learning another program would be too time consuming. I am going to continue pushing for Ning and try not to get frustrated with arbitrary rules. Quite honestly, the majority- 99% of the students I would guess- do not and never will abuse technology at our school, but we seem to make decisions based on the 1% who do.
Anyway, I was told to do a google apps for role playing which would work, but it does not seem to be nearly as fun.
At the same time, however, we could organize a day in class where each kid will assume a role and do this role-playing "live." In fact, I think that is what I am going to have to do because I asked if we could use it in school and I was told I would have to use a different program.
I will look into it, but I feel like I know Ning, I like Ning, and learning another program would be too time consuming. I am going to continue pushing for Ning and try not to get frustrated with arbitrary rules. Quite honestly, the majority- 99% of the students I would guess- do not and never will abuse technology at our school, but we seem to make decisions based on the 1% who do.
Anyway, I was told to do a google apps for role playing which would work, but it does not seem to be nearly as fun.
Blog #3: Resources
Generally when I look for resources I go to the Edina media center website and log on to the databases provided by the school. Sometimes you need passwords, but you can pick them up at the media center. This is also where I direct my kids to go. I generally use proquest or gale. For example, this week I have used those two resources to find articles to accompany our reading of The Things they Carried. I am also using them to find an article on censorship and Catcher in the Rye.
I really only try to have kids research with the media center sites because it saves me a lot of headaches.
Hmm....I am still trying to figure out how to do my mixed genre retelling of one of the stories in TTTC. To be honest, I just have not had the time. I am going to do my project for this class by creating a wiki myself about one of the stories.
I find this topic kind of dull, but it is necessary to have. I remember when Wikipedia first came out, and we were all horrified by it, and now, well, we let kids use it with restrictions.
I really only try to have kids research with the media center sites because it saves me a lot of headaches.
Hmm....I am still trying to figure out how to do my mixed genre retelling of one of the stories in TTTC. To be honest, I just have not had the time. I am going to do my project for this class by creating a wiki myself about one of the stories.
I find this topic kind of dull, but it is necessary to have. I remember when Wikipedia first came out, and we were all horrified by it, and now, well, we let kids use it with restrictions.
Multi Genre
So I read about blogging, but what I really want to share is an idea I have. I am teaching The Things They Carried which is a collection of basically short stories about the war. What I'd like to do is have the kids, in groups of three, create some kind of digital product in which they take one story and tell it in six different ways. For example, how would the story of Norman Bowker who hangs himself after the war be written in a newspaper? How would it be written in a poem or song? How would it be written in an analysis? An obituary? What would be a visual way his story would be told? I want the kids to create a website that other students would then visit and link to these examples.
I really don't know what digital form would work best. Ideas?
I think a blog is to long and not set up for this purpose. A Wiki? A web page? This is what I'd really like to do (the web page) but I have no clue how to set one up.
I am also really feeling like conventions (grammar and spelling) need to be taught. I was getting frustrated when peopl were saying that kids should not get hung up on punctuation and the such. However, I think the best writers are those who manipulate the punctuation and the sentence structure.
Thoughts?
See you soon!
I really don't know what digital form would work best. Ideas?
I think a blog is to long and not set up for this purpose. A Wiki? A web page? This is what I'd really like to do (the web page) but I have no clue how to set one up.
I am also really feeling like conventions (grammar and spelling) need to be taught. I was getting frustrated when peopl were saying that kids should not get hung up on punctuation and the such. However, I think the best writers are those who manipulate the punctuation and the sentence structure.
Thoughts?
See you soon!
Post #1: In an Ideal World
Alas! I am one of the last to set this space up.
Things I want to do:
1. Teach students how to create multimodel products
2. Podcast in an efficient way
3. Learn about the actual technology that is available to us
4. Engage students in authentic writing
5. Develop a unit that requires students to collaborate online
6. Find another teacher in an Edina school and create some type of collaborative student project
I do not want to sound pessimistic, but our media center has been closed for the first two weeks of school because staff hours were cut, and the staff has had no time to get the center ready. We have two labs for the entire school, and they are already booked for the first quarter. I have to race up to the center as soon I hear that new sign out sheets are out.
I fear that our media experts (who are GREAT!) are already overwhelmed with basic maintenance of school equipment; I think they would love to help do the things listed above but finding the time to is an obstacle. I hope this class can give me some confidence in doing these things on my own.
I work with kids who I think would benefit most from using technology. However, MANY of these students only have access to the Internet at school. I definitely believe that "students are often not engaged in their writing in school, particularly because they perceive little value or purpose in...writing five paragraph essays..." (Beach, 5). I think that creating projects that involve digital literacy, and linking them to Edline would provide some authenticity. I would also love to publish student writing on the District's site.
However, I am going to go to the lab tomorrow, search for time, and make a commitment to get my kids into the lab for a new project.Perhaps I will try podcasting again.
Things I want to do:
1. Teach students how to create multimodel products
2. Podcast in an efficient way
3. Learn about the actual technology that is available to us
4. Engage students in authentic writing
5. Develop a unit that requires students to collaborate online
6. Find another teacher in an Edina school and create some type of collaborative student project
I do not want to sound pessimistic, but our media center has been closed for the first two weeks of school because staff hours were cut, and the staff has had no time to get the center ready. We have two labs for the entire school, and they are already booked for the first quarter. I have to race up to the center as soon I hear that new sign out sheets are out.
I fear that our media experts (who are GREAT!) are already overwhelmed with basic maintenance of school equipment; I think they would love to help do the things listed above but finding the time to is an obstacle. I hope this class can give me some confidence in doing these things on my own.
I work with kids who I think would benefit most from using technology. However, MANY of these students only have access to the Internet at school. I definitely believe that "students are often not engaged in their writing in school, particularly because they perceive little value or purpose in...writing five paragraph essays..." (Beach, 5). I think that creating projects that involve digital literacy, and linking them to Edline would provide some authenticity. I would also love to publish student writing on the District's site.
However, I am going to go to the lab tomorrow, search for time, and make a commitment to get my kids into the lab for a new project.Perhaps I will try podcasting again.
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