There are so many uses for digital storytelling in all grade levels and in the media center. Teachers and students can both use this tool. Teachers can use this tool as a way of introducing a new topic and by motivating the students to learn new concepts. Students can demonstrate their knowledge of a standard by creating a digital story. Students could also use this software demonstrate their knowledge of this technology to help reinforce concepts taught in the lower grade levels. For example, students in the third grade could create a digital story to help students in Kindergarten learn about where they live. This type of technology could also be used to in the media center for students and teachers. The media center standards could be introduced by using digital storytelling software. The media specialist could also create an orientation or walk through of the media center to help new patrons better navigate around the media center. Digital storytelling can be used for professional development in helping teachers understand what the impact of the strategy being taught has on the students, as well as, the research behind the strategy. All of these digital stories could be housed in the media center for teachers to check out and use. The stories could also be put on the school’s website for students use at home to review previously taught concepts.
eBooks are not used very much in our elementary school media center. We do have access to a couple of electronic encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauruses and almanacs. There is no actual eBook circulation at our school or any websites with digital libraries available to the students. I believe that there is need for eBooks in our school library. However, there would have to be complete support from all the administrators, teachers, parents and students to help keep the eBook readers working and in good order for circulation. The eBook readers would really benefit students with learning and physical disabilities. The eBook readers can be adjusted to assist students with vision problems or can read the books to students who don’t have the ability to read effectively to complete assignments. After reviewing the International Children’s Digital Library website and the Project Gutenberg website I am going to suggest these two websites be used throughout our school. The International Children’s Digital Library website would be best used in an elementary and middle school setting where the Project Gutenberg website could be used in grades 4-12. The Project Gutenberg website includes more of the classic books for young adults and adults. The International Children’s Digital Library includes picture books for younger students. However, this digital library includes books in several different languages and would be great for students where English is their second language. Teachers could also use this website to help teach students about different cultures.
I love your thoughts and ideas about digital stories. Last year my 4th graders helped kindergartners learn about George Washington by creating PowerPoint presentations for them to use on President’s Day, which is in their standards. This also helped my 4th graders learn more about George Washington, which is in our standards. Digital stories would be a great way to do this same project. I also like your idea to use it for orientation or as professional development. I hadn’t thought to use it for teachers.
ReplyDeleteI also had concerns about students checking out the readers for the ebooks. Our school does not have any ebooks, just the online encyclopedias. The websites you mentioned are great tools I had no idea were there. Thanks for sharing.
Digital Stoytelling is a great way for students and teachers to collaborate as well as media specialist and students. The use is endless for digital storytelling and can be effective as you said for special education. With the time and ability, digital storytelling can become the foundation for media center uses and classroom uses.
ReplyDeleteThe ebooks are a great way to reach out to all students no matter what the disability or need. And anything you do in school does need the support of administration, teachers, parents and students. It sounds like there are a few sites for all grade levels and student abilities. What great resources offered to all. I will definitely suggest these resources too for my school. It is amazing what technology can do these days to enhance curriculum and instruction.
I'm the technical director and one of the founders of the International Children's Digital Library, so was happy to see your post. I'd love to hear how the ICDL ends up getting used (or not) in your school. Feel free to contact me directly at (my last name)@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you haven't found it yet, StoryKit (a free iPhone/iPod Touch app) is a popular tool that lets children *write* stories on mobile devices.
- Ben Bederson
I agree with your ideas about ways that digital storytelling could be used. I had not thought of using it for professional development, but that was a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWe do not have any ebooks at my elementary school yet either. Our special ed department just got an ipad, but it is strictly for their use and I have not even seen it yet. We do have one set (8) of ipod touches. They have been at my elementary school for two years and only one teacher uses them, oddly enough it is a kindergarten teacher. She is fairly young and is very tech savvy. Her kids love them and I can not wait to see if she is familiar with the StoryKit app I read about in Mr. Bederson's post.