Using Digital Storytelling to Strengthen Informational

Writing Jean K. Martin

University of West Georgia

Target Audience

Teachers of students in Grades 3-5 Classroom Special Education EIP ESOL

Assumptions regarding Audience … Familiar with Microsoft PowerPoint and Word

Know how to move images, sounds, and documents into folders

Have completed in-service on Creating Storyboards or have prior experience

Have completed in-service on Audacity – comfortable recording narration and exporting clips to MP3 files

Learning Objectives Why? Writing & Digital Story Telling

Correlation of two expressive communications media Apply research skills Strengthen communication skills Apply informational writing standards to digital story telling

How? MovieMaker Open a new project Create title slides – beginning and title overlay Import images Import sound Work in both storyboard and timeline views Publish sample

Why Digital Storytelling?

Integrated Information Project

Informational Writing Components

Non-linear Process …

Digital Storytelling

Informational Project Steps

What are the standards?

Informational Writing Standards? (GPS)

Research

Organization

Content of Message

GPS: ELA Informational Writing

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Research f. Uses a variety of resources (encyclopedia, Internet, books) to research and share information on a topic.

g. Draws from more than one source of information such as speakers, books, newspapers, and online materials.

g. Draws from more than one source of information such as speakers, books, newspapers, and online materials.

GPS: ELA Informational WritingGrade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Organization e. Uses organizational structures for conveying information (chronological order, cause and effect, similarities and differences, questions and answers).

c. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and context.

c. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and context.

GPS: ELA Informational WritingGrade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Content a. Captures a reader’s interest by setting a purpose and developing a point of view. b. Sustains a focused topic. c. Includes the appropriate purpose, expectations, and length for the audience and the genre. d. Includes relevant examples, facts, anecdotes, and details.

a. Engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a speaker’s voice, and otherwise developing reader interest. b. Frames a central question about an issue or situation. c. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and context. d. Includes appropriate facts and details. e. Excludes extraneous details and inappropriate information. f. Uses a range of appropriate strategies, such as providing facts and details, describing or analyzing the subject, and narrating a relevant anecdote.

a. Engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a speaker’s voice, and otherwise developing reader interest. b. Develops a controlling idea that conveys a perspective on a subject. d. Includes appropriate facts and details. e. Excludes extraneous details and inappropriate information. f. Uses a range of appropriate strategies, such as providing facts and details, describing or analyzing the subject, and narrating a relevant anecdote.

Student Technology Standards?(NETS•S)

1. Creativity and Innovation

5. Digital Citizenship

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

ISTE® National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S)

ISTE® is a registered trademark of the International Society for Technology in Education.

Digital Storytelling & Informational Writing  Reinforce the writing process (pre-writing, drafting,

revising, editing, publishing)

Teach components of informational writing including research using sources outlined in grade-level ELA GPS and understanding of copyright as appropriate

Reinforce the components of effective expressive communication outlined in the grade-level writing standards including organizational structures, communication strategies, focus, and voice

Promote content GPS when selecting research topic (or topics) in science or social studies that is (are) included in that grade’s GPS

 

And, if it is uses a computer, the kids are engaged …..

Sample Project Demonstration

The White-tailed Deer

Informational Project

Demonstration Student Project Topic: The White Tail Deer of Georgia and Its

Adaptations Standards: Third Grade Science Required information

Research: Habitat Physical appearance Food Life cycle

Examples of how the animal adapted to its environment

Select images (may be provided by teacher)

Role of Storyboard

Organizes plan for presentation

Can be created using paper and pencil

Can be created using Microsoft Word

Sample StoryboardDeer Project Storyboard

Create and Name Project

Open Windows Movie Maker

Opened Windows Movie Maker Program

Open new project

Click “Save Project As” and enter “Whitetailed Deer”

Import Media Into Project

Imported Images now in place

Create Title Image

Add Text

Select Background Color

Select Font Style and Color

Click on “Tools” on top bar

Select “titles and credits”

Select “titles at the beginning” and create opening frame

Open ToolsSelect Titles and Credits

Enter text for title

Additional information in separate box

Select background color for title frame

Click on “color” box

Click on “add title” when selection is made

Select font style and color for title slides

Font style: Comic Sans

Font color: White

Click “Add Title” when complete

Font Style & Size

Font Color

Click “Add Title” when finished

Add First Image

Add title overlay

Add sound clip

Put cursor on first image

Drag image to next frame in storyboard view

Change View From Storyboard To Timeline

Add title to overlay image of deer Select tools “Title overlay on selected clip”

Enter text for title

Click “add title”

Select •Tools•Overlay Title

Place cursor on box to move into positionPlace cursor on end of box to lengthen or shorten

Drag MP3 audio clip under desired image

Adjust position as needed

Drag Sound Clip into place on Audio/Music Line

Publish Movie

Save “Sample 1” Project

Publish “Sample 1” Movie

Play Movie

Move cursor to Top Bar

Click on file

Click “Save Project As” “Sample 1” to publish as a movie

(Project “Whitetailed Deer” is still in project form to continue working on to complete movie)

Immediately after saving “Sample 1”, click “Publish Movie” to this computer

Follow instructions on screen, clicking on “next” as directed

Play movie

Click Here to Begin Sample Movie

Now it’s your turn!

Guided Practice

Now its your turn! Follow Sample Storyboard – printed handout,

or print PDF Open MovieMaker Create new project named “Whitetailed Deer” Follow instructions as demonstrated

Save project as “Whitetailed Deer” Save partial project as “Sample 1” Show instructor Publish movie of “Sample 1” Play movie “Sample 1”

Next steps …. Open “Whitetailed Deer” project

Continue to add frames following storyboard in project “Whitetailed Deer”

Tips for MovieMaker

Windows MovieMaker Project Working Tips:

Work on one computer from start to publishing movie Create an individual Project Folder for each project Move all images and sounds into that folder Save the MovieMaker project in that folder

Project Creation Tips: Complete individual titles and images in storyboard

view Add transitions as desired Add slide title overlays (timeline view) Play clip and adjust timing as needed Add audio last (timeline view) Play clip and adjust timing as needed

Future In-Service Session

Next Session – Learning Objectives Selecting transitions between images Creating the “Credits” frame at the end Selecting music with copyright permission

Activity - Complete “Whitetail Deer” Project

Optional – if “Whitetail Deer” Project complete - bring storyboard, images, and sound to create grade-level example of your choosing and ask questions as resources permit during session

Additional Resources

MovieMaker Resources and Tutorials (including copyright)

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/nisa/moviemaker.htm