In today’s podcast, I’m asking some questions about digital storytelling (like, for example, is it digital storytelling if you don’t use pictures?) as well as sharing some ideas and asking for input on some resources I am creating for a class that I’ll be team teaching in a few weeks. I also mention proctoring our state standardized tests, although that’s certainly not the focus of the podcast. Please give a listen and offer your advice as I am plunging into a new avenue of digital storytelling.
At least, if it counts that we’re not using pictures. Does it?
Here’re the links that I mention, as well as others that are relevant, in no particular order: #
- Ira Glass discussing the process for his show, This American Life (via Presentation Zen, where you can still read about the videos if they’re blocked at your school) TAL also has a comic-style "how-to" guide for folks interested in learning how to write/record in the style of the show. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also an educator page where teachers explain how they use the program in their classes.
- Hall Davidson was involved in the development of Kitzu tools for multimedia projects. At one point the idea, or one incarnation of it, was called Schoolhouse Video. Here’s a link to a resource on how to create your own kits. Now he works for Discovery Education.
1.
Hi Bud,
I’m listening to your DS podcast as I respond to you. I am so excited about sharing with you. Kevin jumped to include this podcast on the tech stories blog. I was on the same page.
I have not worked with a moodle yet. I can’t wait to see yours take shape.
I am a mac, kind of gal and have been playing with Garageband for my music,when I don’t just download a song. I think that some sound effects can be cool and that’s on Garageband as well.
The powerful thing about both audio casts and the addition of the visual with digital stories, is the creation of the story and power of the voice to tell it. I don’t know if you absolutely need the visual to call something a digital story but do love the relationship between the story(audio) and visuals t I think it goes beyond just a showcase of the story.
Music too, plays a strong role, maybe more for mood,but a wonderful powerful for sure. I think though, that the music should not fight the story. Lyrics in English do that although I use music in other languages and that’s fine.
I think you will find lots of links on our blog to help you as well.
Can’t wait to hear more of your work.
BTW, what are you using for your spontaneous podcasts. Is it time for me to invest in a new version of an IPOD. I have an older one.
Bonnie
Thanks, Bonnie, for stopping by. I’m all for student created music — but not right now, on this project. There’s so little time to get the work done — I don’t want any distractions. I’ve allowed and helped to create music on other projects, though. I wish I had a Mac and could spend more time with Garageband. As for my podcast recorder, I use an iRiver ifp-795. I love it. Lots.
Hi Bud,
Good to hear your voice in a podcast again. It seems like it’s been awhile. At any rate, a few thoughts on your queries about digital storytelling.
First, you are not alone. There are other teachers doing this kind of work with their students. In fact, Dawn Reed, an RCWP TC, and I are working with her speech class, as you are, to develop a blog and series of podcasts based on an NPR series, This I Believe. Great minds think alike, right? Actually, I like using This American Life even more, however Dawn didn’t have as much time to work with her students as you will with yours to do multiple projects. So, it was kind of an all-or-nothing bet on This I Believe and, so far, that has been working very well for her. I am very interested in seeing what Ira Glass has put together about telling stories.
I am very interested in your idea of a ”resource kit.” We have started a “techstories” wiki and I think that this might serve as a synergistic space for you to publish your resource kit for students. While we (the TechStories bloggers) haven’t really defined what will happen on this wiki yet, I think that this would be a tremendous resource to share with other teachers interested in this kind of work.
In terms of the question, “Should digital pictures have stories?” I have to say that, yes, I think that they do. While your students are crafting fine essays and turning them into audio texts, I think that the core element of a digital story is its ability to blend images, sounds, and spoken words. Maybe I am a purist, but I don’t see how it can be a digital story without pictures.
This is not to say that your students couldn’t make digital stories and other things like audio essays, podcasts, or oral histories. Or that they can’t use images with these texts without having them embedded. For instance, Dawn’s students are are also signing up for Flickr so that they can create a short bio with a photo that they can post to their own blog entries/podcasts for the This I Believe essays.
All that said, I see some synergies that could happen between your students and Dawn’s students, too. While Dawn’s students are finishing up their This I Believe essays—and yours get started on their work—do you think that there would be a chance to exchange responses through their respective blogs?
Troy
Bud,
I recently read an article where students actually had to retell a story using sound effects for mood. There are a ton of resources out there. As well as suggested above of them creating their own.
Also we have a few resources at the following page on the wiki.
http://wiki.monroe.edu/index.php?title=Microsoft_Movie_Maker#Additional_Resources
Thought they might help. I will see if I can find the article. It was interesting since I think it was The Crucible or Dante’s Inferno
Listening to the second in the series and sounds like you have a great project going.
Tadge