“Digital Storytelling” is an activity that allows students to create a desktop video from start to finish. Students start with an idea and sketch out the story on storyboards. They, then, begin videotaping and finish with editing their videos on the computer. This activity allows the students to work with and understand all of the components and processes of how to create and edit video, but it also encourages the usage of critical thinking skills (Jonassen, 2008).
I believe that “digital storytelling” would enhance any classroom. As an early elementary teacher, I could use this activity to assess the student’s knowledge on any given subject area. Students could use this activity to explain the water cycle in Science, to teach the difference between shapes and figures in Math, and to create a dramatization of a favorite story or book in English/Language Arts. Even the young children in Kindergarten or First grade could use these programs with some assistance and create well throughout videos that were developed using their ideas and critical thinking skills.
Mathematics does come alive through the use of visual tools. The book suggests the use of graphing calculators, which allow the students the opportunity to visualize linear relationships and make connections between the various mathematical relationships (Jonassen, 2008). Table Tops and TinkerPlots allow students to see data that has been gathered and their patterns and clusters (Jonassen, 2008). Geometric Supposer is another program that allows students to play with geometric objects and to prove relationships between them. These programs all allow students to extend their thinking and expand their learning in Mathematics (Jonassen, 2008).
I do believe that one could learn from TV alone. Is it the best approach to learning? No. It is better to have an experienced teacher guiding you throughout the process. But, it is possible.
References:
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Early childhood is an excellent way to incorporate this. My sister teaches 5th grade english and history and she uses it. She says her kids love it so much and they are learning different stuff and having a ball. Good luck with early childhood!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your outlook on visual math tools. I am a visual learner and would benefit greatly from these tools.
ReplyDeleteI agree with with you students could create desktop videos from start to finish capturing their story. I also agree most people see math visually. As the book suggests graphing calculator has many functions. Algebra - linear equation, graphing, and regular math problems. One can switch both and forth between applications.
ReplyDeleteDigital storytelling could be used in any subject and would be a great tool to use. I also agree that math is better learned when using visual tools.
ReplyDeleteI think digital storytelling would be really fun at the elementary level, especially in language arts. Talk about increased reading comprehension! Sequencing is such an important skill to learn at that age. Visuals are almost always helpful.
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