As I work on my digital story more and more, I realize how engaging and personal this type of project can be for school age children. Sitting in a lab with my peers, hardly a peep is made except a occasional question or the typing of keyboard keys. Although some of us have used iMovie and Move Maker before, and some of us are new to the programs, we are all still deeply interested and engaged in what we are doing right now. We want it to be perfect, even though in the back of our heads we know it doesn't need to be because this is just to get us use to using appropriate software in the classroom. I also realize how much time would be needed for students to make their own digital story.
Modeling and exploring the movie programs is essential before students begin. That way, they can familiarize themselves instead of feeling the frustrations of using a new program while also feeling the pressure of wanting to get their stories done. Or, teachers can scaffold and have part of a movie already edited, and each student would just need to add in a few pictures or audio here and there. Although that makes for less creativity on the student's behalf, it is a good introduction.
As I work on my movie, I appreciate how user friendly iMovie is. Although I will need to check out a laptap tonight, return it tomorrow, then check it back out again for the weekend, I know that it is worth the hassle so I can complete my story from other locations. I am excited to continue working on it throughout the week and want to know if the end project will live up to my aspirations now. My digital story is about dreams...about what dogs dream about in fact. I think it will turn out pretty good in the end and I am looking forward to seeing how my classmates' do as well.
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4 comments:
I noticed the high level of interest and engagement in Wednesday's work lab too! If this project can keep us college grads that engaged in learning just think about the results with elementary, middle, and high school students! It just motivates me more to use it in my future classroom.
I really like your idea of creating a skeleton digital story for students, especially young ones, to start out with. I think that would relieve some teacher stress, as well as student stress, because teachers wouldn't have to worry about making their students into iMovie experts right away.
I agree that it would be helpful to make a partial project for students to work off of. Depending on their grade level, these programs may be overwhelming. I was impressed at how focused we were in class and how interested we all seemed to be. I think because the projects are so personal, everyone wants to have a really nice story to share. I am also very excited to see everyone's. I hope mine turns out well because I'm a little nervous about it.
I completely agree with you that this would be a very engaging activity to do with students, and it would certainly help them to learn about the software. I know that I have certainly learned a lot. I really like your idea about the starter movie for the students to introduce them to the activity, and I am sure that even with the same skeleton structure no two movies would be exactly the same. For some classes, however, I think it would be alright to let them struggle through making their own video the first time. They just might not be willing to take enough ownership in the program to really learn the software. If the teacher gives a brief overview of the program the students will probably be able to figure out pretty much whatever they are wanting to do on their own, or they can ask a classmate for help. It doesn't all have to fall on the teacher. I think it all comes down to knowing your class.
I agree with everybody's comments about how engaging digital storymaking would be for students to participate in. A connection to that is the fact that I LOVE seeing students completely engaged and being there as a scaffold. This is on a lesser note, but when I babysit, I always think of games and activities for the 5 year old and 4 year old to get involved in--and just seeing them become so engrossed in the activities has really boosted my confidence of incorporating engaging activities in the classroom. Now that I am more knowledgable about technilogical advances and lessons, I am certain that my students would be very engaged in their learning.
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