Image, Text, Music...you can digitally tell a story?

Fun is the word I would use to describe this week's class. I learned so much this week, yet it was all interesting. Digital storytelling is very interesting and entails alot of information. From the formation of a story to bringing the story to life, digital storytelling will be a useful aid in the classroom. One aspect I like of digital storytelling is its flexibility. It can be used with varying content in many different ways. Also, I find it interesting that it can also be used with most age groups with varying adaptions--adding to its flexibility. Another big idea I acknowledge is the importance of images, audio, text, etc. in conveying a compelling story. The use of the tools allows for more attentive students. Finally, I find it interesting that students in today's society can create stories this way. It would make for some interesting projects.

In a second grade classroom, I know a teacher who used digital storytelling to convey metamorphosis to the class. The students used clay to mold the different life stages of a butterfly, frog, or seed. The teacher then compiled the pictures of the designed stages and made a movie. Another application of digital storytelling could be allowing older students to create autobiographies. They could use pictures from home, choose their own music, write the narrative, etc. The students' writing skills would be developed. Technology would be learned. There are many more ways to use this type of technology in the classroom.

I still have many questions regarding this form of telling a story. For example, how do you use your own music from your personal library such as iTunes? Or is there a way to use common noises, such as a dog barking?

Until next time...