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Thing 5 -- Digital Storytelling

We have partnered on VoiceThread, Animoto and Xtranormal projects in my former elementary school, and we had fun with Voki and Blabberize in another school. Even though teachers want to incorporate more technology into projects, I have never been able to convince a teacher to abandon paper posters and use Glogster to create "live" projects! Unfortunately, these collaborative forays into the digital storytelling realm have not all been smooth and golden! I think that the problem is that technology can be so undependable, and we cannot depend on the tools to work smoothly in the 30 or 40-minute periods in which we have to create the magic! Even as I created the above Glogster presentation as a trial for an upcoming music class, I encountered glitches and delays. Multiply this by 25 students, and things could get messy. That being said, using Power Point as an introduction to digital projects has helped teachers and students turn from paper and pencil presentations to more creative projects. And adding one digital tool each year is less frightening than jumping in with both feet! From "playing with" Glogster, I learned that students should locate their resources first, do all research before creating, and it helps to save images, audio and video clips to the desktop. And I learned that I am ready to tackle a Glog with the Middle Schoolers next week!! Hopefully I can convince the teacher to play along!

Comments

pollyalida said…
Very wise approach to the tools. With short periods and so many students, it can get chaotic. And one new tool at a time is a great way to approach.

As the kids learn how to use the tools, do you see some of them taking on the "helper" role and assisting other students? And helping the teachers too?

Great glogster!
January 4, 2013 at 7:15 PM
Anonymous said…
I found the same problem with Glogster. My students loved creating their posters based on the research they had completed, but often ran into glitches within the Glogster site. I think Glogster has potential but needs to upgrade their product.
February 21, 2013 at 9:26 PM
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