Multimedia+Storytelling

=Multimedia Storytelling=

In a time when teachers are asked to increase rigor in the classroom, one may find themselves wondering how to achieve this goal. One method is to use multimedia or digital storytelling. Multimedia storytelling is defined as using a combination of video, audio, images or animation to tell a story. Multimedia storytelling appeals to diverse learning styles and can serve as a motivator to digitally-minded students. There are many ways storytelling can be incorporated into the classroom. The teacher can:
 * create a digital story as a warm up to a new topic or lesson.
 * enhance a lesson with a digital story within a unit.
 * create a digital story to summarize a unit or share for student review or homework help.

The student can create a digital story:
 * to show understanding.
 * teach peers about a topic.
 * synthesize content.
 * practice searching and analysis skills.

In order to create or lead students in the creation of an effective multimedia story there are several considerations. For more details on these steps visit this site.
 * 1) Have students review and consider the 7 elements of digital storytelling.
 * 2) Consider your technology access. There are many computer programs, websites or apps that can be used. This article lists over 20 apps that you can use.
 * 3) Lead students through the following steps: brainstorming, scripting, storyboarding, recording, editing and presenting.

Your Assignment
Your task will be to create a multimedia story to use in class or teach a lesson that requires your students to create a multimedia story. You can use tools such as Moviemaker or Photostory on your computer, websites like Animoto and GoAnimate or an app like Toontastic or Skqueak. See the links above for a more comprehensive list. Upon completion of your story write a post on Edmodo explaining the clip and provide a link to the product or one of your student's products.

Are You Ready to Level Up?
Try these tasks for more practice. +1 for every storytelling app you explore +5 for every digital story you use to introduce or review a lesson +10 for sharing your students' products online for parents and the community to admire (remember to keep student names private)

Revisit previous tasks for more practice. +5 Embed another Digital Citizenship lesson into your curriculum. +1 Use EasyBib or Citation Machine to add citations to the images in a PowerPoint presentation. Tell the students why you did it. +1 For every Flickr or Google image used in your presentations this month that are licensed under Creative Commons and attributed as licensed.
 * Digital Citizenship**

+1 for every additional comment you write on a blog +1 reaching 40 people following on Twitter +1 reaching 50 people following on Twitter +1 every Tweet of a resource/article you share on Twitter +1 for every person that follows you on Twitter +2 for every RT you receive
 * PLN**

+1 Update your calendar page for December +1 Update your student work page +1 for each blog post you write on your class blog +1 for each reminder sent using a group text service +1 Poll your parents or students +1 Use QR codes in an assignment or on a letter/newsletter/bulletin board +1 for every newsletter, digital scrapbook page, audio clip or playlist created and shared
 * School/Home Communication**