Objectives
The students will
• Develop ability to ask questions and construct answers
• Reflect an understanding of a scientific content
• Organize information and to communicate conclusions.
• Evaluate science research and its impact on society
• Gather information and reflect on future careers.
• Learn to use the Internet for research while analyzing and synthesizing a wide range of content.
• Develop communications skills by learning to ask questions, express opinions, construct narratives and write for an audience.
• Increase computer skills using software that combines a variety of multimedia including: text, still images, audio, video and web publishing.
• Create a digital story that will convey the student’s own personal understanding a scientific concept.
Common Core
• LACC.68.WHST.2.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
• LACC.68.WHST.2.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
• LACC.68.WHST.3.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
• LACC.910.WHST.2.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
• LACC.68.WHST.1.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
o Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
o Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.
o Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
o Establish and maintain a formal style.
o Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Course Overview
The iTeach iLearn Project is a form of digital storytelling which uses computer-based tools to tell stories, present topics or concepts. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view. Digital stories usually contain some mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Digital stories can vary in length, but most of the stories used in education typically last between two and ten minutes. The topics that are used in Digital Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between.
The iTeach iLearn Project deals with digital stories that teach, specifically science as a body of knowledge, science as a way of investigating, and science as a way of thinking,
Students are asked to create digital stories in relation to their understanding of various science themes. The iTeach iLearn lesson allows for students to determine who their audience will be for example, elementary students, other teachers, home-school parents or the community. The challenge for students is to create a digital story that reflects their understanding of a science concept (iLearn) and then “iTeach” it through the digital story. Students can create demonstration of a science topic, share a how-to-do a laboratory investigation or inform the public about a science issue. Their lessons will be shared through the web available to all.
Reflected in the student stories it can e scene the growth in knowledge of their project’s content, problem solving skills, in the students’ abilities to speak to audiences regarding their topic and team building skills.
Implementation Plan
Time: Several weeks, approximately 5-8 hours
Pre Phase: What, Why, How
1. Show the students (or provide links) various types of digital stories
2. Introduce the project and requirements
3. Discuss science theme and topic ideas
Phase 1: Define, Collect, Decide
1. Choose a topic for your digital story
2. Choose your groups members (1-4 students)
3. Create a folder on your hard drive where you can store the materials you find. Name the folder “lastname, firstname”_ “topic”_Digital Story
4. Search for image resources for your topic/concept, including: pictures, drawings, photographs, maps, charts, etc. - Save these resources in your folder. Create a bibliography.
5. Try to locate audio resources such as music, speeches, interviews, and sound effects that relate to your topic/concept. - Save these resources in your folder. Create a bibliography.
6. Try to find informational content, which might come from web sites, word processed documents, or PowerPoint slides. - Save these resources in your folder. Create a bibliography.
7. Decide on the purpose of your topic/concept.
a. Are you trying to inform, demonstrate, or share (follow along as I do it) a concept? Write 4-6 sentences here to answer this question and describe why you chose this as your purpose (from a personal point of view) and then describe what will be your purpose.
Phase 2: Write, Record, Finalize
1. Decide on the point of view of your digital story.
a. Who is your audience? elementary students, other teachers, home-school parents or the community
2. Create an outline of the main parts of your topic/concept
3. Write a script that will be used as narration in your digital story AND provides the purpose and point of view you have chosen.
4. Using the story board process, draw pictures and write phrases to represent each part of your topic/concept.
a. Use one of the several story board templates to create your topic/concept
5. Collect props
6. Take video of with what you are saying and doing in your script.
7. Use a computer microphone and record the narration of your script.
a. The voice-over is supported by a combination of:digital still photos, scanned documents, music, sound effects, and short video clips.
b. Import the narration into multi media software. (see resources)
8. Finalize your digital story by saving it as a Windows Media Video (.wmv) file or as a Quicktime file.
Phase 3: Final product
1. Look and Feel of your product:
a. Clarity of voice:
b. Pacing of video is appropriate for teaching and learning
c. Video is of high quality, clear and not pixilated
d. Pacing of the narrative is appropriate for theme
e. Use of meaningful soundtrack
f. Images are of high quality, not pixilated
2. Good grammar and language usage
3. Tips for an A+ digital story.
a. Live inside your topic/concept. Reflect appropriate emotion.
b. Unfold the lessons you have learned
c. Is the topic/concept learned
d. Develop creative tension
e. Economize the topic/concept told
f. Show, Don’t tell
g. Develop craftsmanship through creativity
The Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling
a. Point of View – what is the perspective of the author?
b. A Dramatic Question – a question that will be answered by the end of the story.
c. Emotional Content – serious issues that speak to us in a personal and powerful way.
d. The Gift of your Voice – a way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.
e. The Power of the Soundtrack – music or other sounds that support the storyline.
f. Economy – simply put, using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer with too much information.
g. Pacing – related to Economy, but specifically deals with how slowly or quickly the story progresses.
Developed by M. Paul, a High School science teacher in Houston, Texas retrieved from: http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/scientific_research02.html
Student Outcomes:
a. Acquire and develop new computer, communication and creativity skills
b. Build confidence and self esteem
c. Increase their understanding and connection of science concepts
d. Enjoy an introduction to the world of multimedia and digital communication
e. Have the satisfaction of completing a movie that communicates more than traditional instruction.
f. Opportunity to showcase
g. Deep learning of content through explaining and representing which leads to students finding meaning through presentation
Students also develop
a. Research Skills: Documenting the topic/concept, finding and analyzing pertinent information.
b. Writing Skills: Formulating and developing a script.
c. Organization Skills: Managing the scope and sequence of the entire project, the materials used and the time it takes to complete the task.
d. Technology Skills: learning to use a variety of tools, such as digital cameras, scanners, microphones and multimedia authoring software.
e. Presentation Skills: Deciding how to best present the story to an audience.
f. Interview Skills: Finding sources to interview and determining questions to ask.
g. Interpersonal Skills: Working within a group and determining individual roles for group members.
h. Problem-Solving Skills: Learning to make decisions and overcome obstacles at all stages of the project, from inception to completion.
i. Assessment Skills: Gaining expertise critiquing their own and others’ work.
Progress Monitoring
Phase 1: Define, Collect, Decide
Topic: _________________________________________________ due date________________
Groups members (1-4 students) due date___________________________
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. -<
br>Areyou trying to inform, demonstrate, or share (follow along as I do it) a concept? Write 4-6 sentences here to answer this question and describe why you chose this as your purpose (from a personal point of view) and then describe what will be your purpose. Due date_______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Points 25 points 15 Points 10 Points 5 Points
Purpose
of Story
Establishes a purpose early on and maintains a clear focus throughout.
Establishes a purpose by due date and maintains focus for most of the presentation Establishes purpose after due date. There are a few lapses in focus, but the purpose is fairly clear. It is difficult to figure out the purpose of the
Presentation.
Phase 2: Write, Record, Finalize
Decide on the point of view of your digital story. Due date___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Points 25 points 15 Points 10 Points 5 Points
Point of
View The point of view is well developed and contributes to the overall meaning of the story. The point of view is stated but does not
connect with each part of the story,
although an attempt is made to connect it
to the overall meaning of the story The point of view is stated but no attempt is made to connect it to the overall meaning of the story. The point of view is only hinted at, or is difficult to discern.
Who is your audience? Elementary students, other teachers, home-school parents or the community. Due date___________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Createan outline of the main parts of your topic/concept. Due date:_______________________
Print a hard copy
Write a script that will be used as narration in your digital story AND provides the purpose and point of view you have chosen. Due date________________________________
Print a hard copy
Points 20 points 15 Points 10 Points 5 Points
Topic Concept A meaningful topic is presented answered within the context of the story.
A meaningful topic is presented
but not clearly answered within the context of the story. A meaningful topic is hinted at but not clearly established within the context of the story.
Little or no attempt is made to pose meaningful topic is presented or answer it.
Choice of Content Contents create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the story. The images clearly communicate. Contents create an atmosphere or tone that matches some parts of the story. The images may
communicate
An attempt was made to use contents to create an atmosphere/tone but it needed more work. Image choice is logical. Little or no attempt to use contents to create an appropriate atmosphere/tone.
Pacing of Narrative The pace (rhythm and voice
punctuation) fits the story line and helps the audience really "get into" the story. Occasionally speaks too fast or too slowly for the story line. The pacing is relatively engaging for the audience Tries to use pacing but it is often noticeable that the pacing does not fit the story line. Audience is not consistently engaged. No attempt to match the pace of the storytelling to
the story line or the audience
Using the story board process, draw pictures and write phrases to represent each part of your topic/concept. Use one of the several story board templates to create your topic/concept. Print a hard copy Due date___________________________
Dialog
10 Images
10 Transitions/ Motion
5 Tools Used to Create
20 Electronic Copy
5
Dialog is written for all slides were narration occurs. Contains all images that will be used. Screen shots for videos where they are used. Contains directions for each slide for the focus or the transition of
motion Tools used to create story board were Word, or Excel /Publisher Downloaded from a flash drive or from a CD the day it is due
Dialog is in
“quotes” in the story board Images are tied to the correct
dialog in the template used Story board is in
template form 1 day late (-10)
Dialog uses
proper language and grammar Images are
separated by scenes using a template
Dialog quantity is
appropriate for
slide transition
Each slide/ scene is easy to determine the
beginning and the end 2 days late (-20)
3 or more days late will result in the lowering of grade
Collect props
Take video of with what you are saying and doing in your script. Due date:_________________
Use a computer microphone and record the narration of your script.
The voice-over is supported by a combination of digital still photos, scanned documents, music, sound effects, and short video clips.
Import the narration into multi media software. (see resources) due date:__________________
Finalize your digital story by saving it as a Windows Media Video (.wmv) file or as a Quicktime file. Due date:______________________________
Final Presentation:. Submit on a CD or flash drive ready to be uploaded to website
due date:_____________
Points 10 points 7 Points 5 Points 2 Points
Purpose of Story
Establishes a purpose early on and maintains a
clear focus throughout Establishes a purpose
early on and maintains focus for most of the presentation.
There are a few lapses in focus, but the purpose is
fairly clear.
It is difficult to figure out the purpose of the
presentation
Point of
View
The point of view is well developed and contributes to the overall meaning of the story.
The point of view is stated but does not connect with each part of the story, although an attempt is made to connect it to the overall meaning of the story. The point of view is stated but no attempt s made to connect it to the overall meaning of the story.
The point of view is only hinted at, or is difficult to discern
Choice of
Content
Contents create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the story. Contents create an atmosphere or tone that matches some parts of the story.
An attempt was made to use contents to create an atmosphere/ tone but it needed more work. Little or no attempt to use contents to create an appropriate atmosphere/tone.
Economy
of Story
Detail
The story is told with exactly the right amount of detail throughout. It does not seem too short nor does it seem too long The story
composition is
typically good, though it seems to drag somewhat OR need slightly more detail in one or two sections The story seems to need more editing. It is noticeably too long or too short in more than one section. The story needs extensive editing. It is too long or too short to be interesting.
Clarity of Voice
. Voice quality is clear and consistently audible throughout the presentation.
Voice quality is clear and consistently audible
throughout the majority
(85-95%) of the presentation.
Voice quality is clear and consistently audible through some (70-84%)of
the presentation Voice quality needs more attention.
Meaningful Audio
Soundtrack
Music stirs a rich emotional response that matches the story line well. Images coordinated with the music.
Music stirs a rich emotional response that somewhat matches the story line. Images mostly coordinated with the music. Music is ok, and not distracting, but it does not
add much to the story Not coordinated with images.
Music is distracting, inappropriate, OR was not used.
Quality of Images
Images create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the story. Image choice is logical. Images create an atmosphere or tone that matches some parts of the story. An attempt was made to use images to create an atmosphere/ tone but it needed more work.
Little or no attempt to use
images to create an appropriate
atmosphere /tone.
Grammar and
Language
Usage
Grammar and usage were correct (for the dialect chosen) and contributed to clarity, style and character development Grammar and usage
were typically correct (for the dialect chosen) and errors did not detract from the story Grammar and usage were typically correct but errors detracted from story.
Repeated errors in grammar and usage distracted greatly from the
story
Rubrics modified from M. Paul, a High School science teacher in Houston, Texas
retrieved from: http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/scientific_research02.html
Resource List:
Free ebooks
Digital Storytelling Tools by Silvia Tolisano
Effective Mobile Learning: 50+ Tips & Resources by Shelly Terrell
Digital Storytelling in the Classroom by MicroSoft
Examples of Digital Stories
http://www.techteachers.com/digstory/examples.htm
http://mcli.maricopa.edu/storytelling/examples
Googlesearch – Use Google searches to tell your story. https://searchstories-intl.appspot.com/en-us/creator/
>MobileDevices
iPad (Apple)
Tablet (Android)
Accessories
Stand- IPEVO ($79.00-$130.00) www.ipevo.com
Grip Case- IPEVO ($34.00) www.ipevo.com
Regular Case/Stand- ($35.00-$70.00)
Microphone ($50.00-$100.00)
Connection cable to PC ($30.00-$50.00) see device accessories
Dynamic Editing Software for Computer
iMovie (included with a Mac) http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
Final Cut ($299.99) Apple http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/
Adobe Premier Elements 9 ($99.99) http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-elements.html
Simple Editing Software for Computer
Movie maker (free) Windows
http://download.cnet.com/Windows-Movie-Maker-Windows-XP/3000-13631_4-10165075.html
PhotoStory 3 (free) Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11132
APPS
Script writing-Pages ($2.99) Apple
Digital Story Telling-Story Kit (free) Apple
-Storyrobe ($0.99) Apple
-Posterous (free) Android
Story Boarding- Strip Designer ($2.99) Apple
-Idea Sketch (free) Apple
-Story Patch ($2.99) Android)
Other Webtools
Creaza- Create comics, make movies, edit audio, and more! Embed in a blog or wiki. http://www.creaza.com/frontpage
GoAnimate- Choose from various characters, type in the dialogue, choose your background scene, and create a free fun movie. http://goanimate.com/
DVolver- Choose from various characters, type in the dialogue, choose your background scene, and create a free fun movie. http://www.dfilm.com/moviemaker/make.html
ZimmerTwins- Choose from various characters, type in the dialogue, choose your background scene, and create a free fun movie. http://www.zimmertwins.com/
PicLits- Drag and drop words unto a beautiful image. http://piclits.com/compose_dragdrop.aspx
Bubblr- create your comic strip with Flickr pictures and add bubbles to tell your story! http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/
Stripgenerator – You don’t have to register in order to create a comic. http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/
Make Beliefs Comix – Two, three and four panel comics that you can create in multiple languages. http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
Comic Strip Generator – You can upload photos or use web images in addition to their library of ready-to-use images http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/
ToonDoo – the site allows students to share their comics, comment on other comics, and even save and edit a copy of a comic http://www.toondoo.com/
Kerpoof – Create videos or an animated picture. http://www.toondoo.com/
Blabberize – Make your pictures talk http://blabberize.com/
Smilebox – Create videos from your pictures and videos adding design and music. You download this software to your computer. http://www.smilebox.com/
Glogster – Create and online poster with your videos. http://edu.glogster.com/
VoiceThread for Educators-Interactive way to present stories and have parents and other students comment on the stories. Several options. Embed in a blog or wiki. https://ed.voicethread.com/register/?ReturnUrl=
Storybird-Students create beautiful stories by choosing beautiful art and adding the words. Embed in a blog or wiki. http://storybird.com/accounts/signup/
Zooburst – 3D pop up story creator. http://www.zooburst.com/
Scholastic story starter – Start your story randomly. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/storystarters/storystarter1.htm
Thestorystarter – Start your story randomly. http://thestorystarter.com/
LittleBirdTales – Upload your picture, record your voice to tell your stories. http://thestorystarter.com/
