Digital Storytelling Reflection

Digital storytelling has endless possibilities for content integration. It appeals to all ages and is a true web 2.0 tool that customizes learning for everyone. Gathering photos, editing music, recording a narrative, and adding presentation effects are equally engaging as well as challenging. Digital storytelling proves that students are determined and self-motivated to learn and create meaningful projects.
Personally, the most challenging and intriguing part of digital storytelling is in the music. It is difficult to find downloadable royalty free music. The need to read the terms of usage policy is a crucial part to successfully creating a legitimate digital story. The music aspect is also the most intriguing part of creating a digital story. Mixing, adding effects, and recording a narrative keeps the learner engaged and striving for perfection; and altering ones voice always results in laughter. Finding a web 2.0 tool to fit the need of the project can also be challenging. Learners need to be aware of web 2.0 tools that have time constraints and the capability to upload multiple images and original music. The web 2.0 tool I use is www.onetruemedia.org. This tool allows storytellers 60 seconds to share a story comprising of their own photos and music. It also has multiple effects to apply to pictures and transitions. Storytellers are again actively engaged adding personalization to their project.
After uploading the digital story to my blog, I find myself showing friends and family my accomplishment wherever an internet connection is available. I truly feel like an actively engaged student; a kid showing off a big blue ribbon.
Music References:
Macleod, K., (2008). Inspector surf. Audio retrieved from http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/.
Macleod, K., (2008). Overheat. Audio retrieved from http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/.
Photo References:
Champ1013, (2009, February 12). Through the mist. Photo retrieved from www.flickr.com.
Stevetookit, (2006, June 11). Still wandering. Photo retrieved from www.flickr.com.
Tut99, (2007, April 12). Yellowstone Entrance Sign. Photo retrieved from www.flickr.com.

Digital Storytelling - Library Advertisement

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Mitten Podcast

Podcast Review and Essay

After listening to Episode 105: A conversation with Clarence Fisher, a podcast on Connected Learning, I have several innovative ideas about incorporating technology and learning. The podcast was a casual interview over dinner about what the educator and technology presenter felt about technology in the classroom, web 2.0 tools, and what the next big thing in education will be.
Although Fisher promotes the use of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other web 2.0 tools in his middle-school curriculum, he encourages teachers to “get past the tools” and “customize the learning experience” (Warlick & Fisher, 2009). Using a variety of web 2.0 tools that appeal to students’ learning styles and interests is the essence of 21st century learning. Fisher explains how he converts his reading assessments to “kid friendly language” and using Google spreadsheets, shares the assessment forms with the students and requires them to evaluate themselves. It allows the students to be part of the teaching process by measuring their skills and setting goals to improve their deficiencies. Simply put, this process “gives them (students) control over that learning experience”(Warlick & Fisher, 2009).
Integration of personally owned devices in school is Fisher’s idea of “the next big thing” in education. I have to agree that the continuity of technology integration in and out of school assists teachers with customizing the experience of education and promotes responsible learning. Students not only take responsibility for their equipment and content, but for how they use their extra-curricular time. By customizing content and the learning experience, students are provided tools that allow them control of their learning experiences. Teachers will achieve the ultimate goal of education: life-long learning.
Podcasts are invaluable tools for life-long learners to improve writing, improve public speaking, and develop responsibility through the “leadership of devising their own education”(Warlick & Fisher, 2009). Today’s digital natives are notorious for toggling multiple electronic devices and have developed a keen ability to multi-task. This evolved learner needs stimulation and an educational venue that capitalizes on learning through all human senses. Listening to podcasts provides educational background music for a multi-tasking learner. It allows a learner to capitalize on down-time. For example, learners can listen to a podcast while walking to work or waiting at the doctor’s office. Students allowed usage of school and other wireless internet accesses to download and share podcast resources are vital in promoting this type of life-long learning.
In the classroom, creating podcasts serve as a motivational tool for students to improve their writing and public speaking. Podcasts cater to the audible learner and a descriptive podcast with the use of prepositional phrases can intrigue all types of learners by painting a picture in the listeners mind. Students who create podcasts learn to write, evaluate, and re-write. They prepare these podcasts and incorporate cleverness and personality with their writing and voice. Posting these projects on the web allows creators to share and followers to listen resulting in increased student self esteem and self-motivation for future learning. Students become responsible for the quality and safety of the content posted on the web and inevitably for their life-long learning.
My library program will use podcasts to host student debates on controversial books, promote student produced stories, and announce events to be shared with local and global communities on the library blog. Podcasts have the capability to improve students’ oral reading fluency and can be used project based learning assessments as well as reading skills assessments. Podcasts have the capability of improving communication and learning and providing a collaborative venue between students, staff, and the library.
References:
Warlick, D., & Fisher, C., (2009, March 31). A conversation with Clarence Fisher. Connected Learning Podcast Episode 105. Podcast retrieved from http://davidwarlick.com/connectlearning/.
Brett, J., (1989). The mitten: A ukrainian folktale. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

The new blog I am following

Jamie Larue has a great blog dedicated to discussing and stating opinions on controversial books in Young Adult Literature. This blog blends his thoughts, writings, critiques, and general information on new publications and news in libraries around the world. It is diverse in it's postings and is informatative in it's searches. I found it via the www.ncte.org website while researching banned books. Enjoy!

Blogs to Follow

I plan to create a list of blogs that are relative to education, updated often, and entertaining to read. The three blogs I have posted to the left are just the beginning of an accumulation of interesting blogs contributed by all the users of the Jan Dunbar Library blog.

Kathy Schrock's blog is intended for educators, parents, and technology lovers. She combines journaling personal stories and reflections as an educator and presenter, but also includes tips and tricks for teaching implementing technology tools in classrooms. She also has a list of additional resources of school projects and technology troubleshooting.

The YALSA blog in the hub of young adult literature. This blog is resourceful for adults and students. It reviews books, explores genres, posts updates on events, and includes a list of additional library resources.

The Hip Librarian blog is great information and reviews of recently published books, award winning books, and popular trends in young adult reading.

The Zee Says blog is a blog with posting from a teen perspective on life and the love of reading. I think using teen blogs is really powerful and encourages students to create a blog and journal their lives. The content is real, yet filtered and appropriate.

Feel free to leave a comment and add any blog resources.

Goals

Blogs are a useful tool for journaling, collaborating with others, and just gathering information. I hope to use this blog as a resource for the students and community of West Yellowstone. I would like to host an online book club giving patrons the opportunity to collaboratively read and evaluate novels. I also hope to host student projects including videos, photos, poems, drawing, and reviews pertaining to books they've read. This blog will be the pulse of literacy events in our school and community.