After reviewing the sites and the readings about digital storytelling and eBooks, I can't help but shake my head. I loved the idea of using these with my students; however, my school tragically lacks computers for students to use. I felt like I kept saying, "Wow! That is cool! I could see my students participating in that assignment." Then in the next thought I would have to tell myself to prepare to drastically modify these cool digital assignments. When I asked the media specialist if we had any eBooks in circulation, she basically said no. She did tell me that we have 65 eBooks within the Follett system; however, these books are all on a high school level and do not meet the needs of our middle school students. Again, a let down.
Then I thought back to a couple of things that I did back in the fall, and I knew I had to share them with you. As part of my multimedia class, one of our assignments was to create an original eBook. I chose to create a book about my husband, aka RJ the Clown and I incorporated several of the kindergarten sight words my son had to memorize. I took all of the photos in the eBook and I created the original rhymes that went with each slide. You may download this file here. After reflecting on the eBook assignment, I immediately thought about the digital storytelling project from my digital photography class. Since we lack student computers, I worked with my gifted students who all had access to digital cameras and either PowerPoint or Movie Maker. After discussing good pictures and how to take a great photo, the students created a story about themselves and included truisms or quotes to go with each original photo. I showed them my example, which you can find on my wiki.
Although my examples are slightly different from the readings and the assignment we are currently working on, I still feel as though these eBooks and digital stories are very beneficial to all who participate in them. I know my students raved about the digital storytelling assignment for a few weeks after they were completed. I guess I will continue to find ways to incorporate these types of assignments with my students even though computers may be in short supply.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed viewing the ebook you created (and was very impressed with your photography skills). You inspired me to create my own! I recently had a Smartboard installed in my room and see great potential in creating these as lesson supplements. As far as the “professional” ebooks are concerned, I certainly see the roll my Smartboard will serve with these. Currently we do not have any but I plan to work with my Media Specialist to obtain some soon. Good luck with your quest for more computer access for your students.
ReplyDeleteOK, this is the short short version, since I just accidentally deleted quite a bit of text here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wiki. Professional, interesting, and very encouraging: I love seeing quality work that is going on in the classrooms of Georgia! It is inspiring.
I, too, have been disheartened by the technological desert that is our system. It seems as though the school must have repeated failures before the school is able to receive any sort of help in this area; and, of course, we are dragging ourselves along by our fingernails to try to hold on to AYP. God forbid that we should receive technology for that reason.
Although it is a large source of frustration, our limited technological resources do have some limited capabilities that include Movie Maker. So, perhaps our students will be able to use the resources available to create something thought-provoking and wonderful, inspiring others (and, perhaps, their purse-strings?) to think of the results that could be achieved with software and hardware of a greater quality and quantity.
I have worked in several different schools in my 12 years. Each had their own technology issues, good or bad. Currently, I work in a school with lots of technology equipment but little training. When I asked the SLMS about eBooks, she laughed. So, obviously that meant "NO!" Though, I will say I do not think that elementary students where I work are ready for that.
ReplyDeleteThe digital book you shared was excellent. It gave me an idea to create some eBooks for my pre-k students (in all my spare time) that will go along with the themes we have. These eBooks could also be skill related for them. Thanks for the ideas!!!!