Digital Storytelling and Me

Filming? Storytelling! Lessons --

Digital Storytelling is such a natural for the students. They seem to crank those things off so easily. I wonder if it helps that they tend to work in small groups. Is digital story telling a collaborative activity? Even when they don’t, however, they do such an incredible job. Look at these student book reviews from last year.

Collaboration did not appear to be necessary for the beautiful stories told by my classmates. Each story was strong and entertaining, informative and fun, all at the same time. 

Being a natural — that is not the case for Mrs. Rogers!

I used iMovie this time.I felt awkward getting back on board and did not truly figure out how to use all the features. I also think that I did too much at a time. Conceiving an idea, photographing, screen shots, music, film clips, arghhh! Too much!

I love the format, love the idea, love what you can share. Perhaps my plan was too  complicated. I may need to scale it back a bit. I think that if I use digital storytelling myself more frequently I will become stronger at the medium.

There was a time a few years ago when I made several in a short space of time. My patience was tested but my skills were stronger back then! This one was on the Flip Camera with Flip Share - technology that has already come and gone!

Baby steps!

In the library, students can continue to use Digital Storytelling to share their books. Book trailers are incredibly popular with students — especially when they are good! Sorry to say, it can be more effective that the old fashioned book talk!

Digital storytelling can be valuable for teaching research skills. That has been something I have thought about for a few years now, actually. Research that is specific to Roosevelt. Making the movies will need to become a priority — slow but steady may be the case.