What's the Big Idea?
So, I am taking a Technology for Educators class (aka EME5050) and we were asked to draw upon ideas on curriculum integration and digital storytelling, and plan a digital storytelling project for our students. To recap, digital storytelling is stories, explanations and information expressed in a digital format. For example, a video with sound, words, and pictures about you could be considered a digital story!
To spin off of my last blog posting on digital storytelling, I want to discuss a digital storytelling idea that I have for my future classroom. It is my aspiration to teach either an educational technology or student success course to college level students. In my curriculum, I want my students to create a blog to showcase their ideas and work. Now, I know this idea may seem a bit cliché or cheesy but I would like to have my students use digital storytelling to create a pumped up version of an icebreaker. I mean think about it, the typical icebreaker includes short bursts of information. “Hi, my name is Rabecka, I’m 25, a single mom and I am studying career and technical education…” However, a digital icebreaker would allow the students to express themselves creatively.
Moreover, this digital icebreaker would be one of the first artifacts they would put into their own blog (yes, I’ve been inspired by blogs). I think this project would be a great way to have the students hit the ground running with technology and create an introduction that is unique to them and memorable to the class.
Bringing the Idea to Life
To accomplish this project, my students would create a video using Movie Maker, iMovie, or Photo Story. The video would need to include pictures as well as audio and/or voice narration. The video would be no more than 3 minutes long.
To get the ball rolling, I would show an example icebreaker that I created (guess I need bust out some pictures) and use this a teacher-created resource. I think showcasing my own work would help my students connect with me and of course gain some inspiration!
Some web resources I would provide include:
iMovie Info - http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
This is just the begining of an idea that will soon spin out of control. Tell me what you think!
I think digital icebreaker is a cool way for students to express who they are and this activity should be exciting for them because they get to creatively show the bloggersphere who they are. I think assignments like this that allows students to engage in the usage of technology is a great way to encourage them to explore and learn more about technology and probably use it more.
ReplyDeleteDigital Icebreakers are a great idea! Get the students engaged from the first point they enter their new environment. The student use of blogs are an interesting thought as well. A student would have their own digital blog portfolio of work to reflect on throughout the year. I can see the classroom now looking back midyear to see how far they have progressed since your first ice breaker. Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteScott Foster EME 5050