After some trial and error on my behalf, I have managed to satisfy the requirements of this assignment. At first, I thought I could simply use iMovie – a natural fit in my own classroom as we utilize iPads – and then upload it to YouTube. Below is my original reflection with the link to the iMovie version. I used this method, as I said, because of its natural fit in my class. I have always expressed the view throughout the MET program that if the technology cannot ‘fit’ into my own experiences I have very little time for it. The reason being is that time is so precious, and messing about with Web 2.o tools that simply won’t work in my environment seems counter-intuitive.
Having said all that, I have chosen a web tool that I have regularly used in the past, but no longer use because of the aforementioned iPad use by my students. The tool is Animoto, and I feel this service came close to my original vision of creating a digital story using only pictures and music. I find that a well-edited picture essay back-dropped with just the right song can create a sense of emotion and intrigue that my own voice simply cannot replace.
What I did find frustrating was the lack of control and creative freedom that an application like iMovie presents. Animoto was easy to use, but it does all the blends, transitions and fades on its own, which I would imagine is great for some, but I prefer my original story, as it lends itself better to the music I chose. I’ve tried photostory, but it has crashed on me too many times for me to trust it again…as I said…’ain’t nobody got time for that!’
Well, without further ado…My Digital Story . (Don’t mind the Animoto user name…she has an upgraded account so I used hers to get the good themes! With permission of course!)
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My older digital story is here on YouTube.
This activity I enjoyed very much, and it actually serves as a summative project that I give to my Grade 5 class. We have iPads in our classroom, which also means we have access to a pretty good camera, the internet, and a really great app called iMovie. Using these affordances, the students are required to make a reflective movie that demonstrates their comprehension of the unit of study. I wanted to base my digital story around the ‘Sharing the Planet’ themed unit, as it is our first unit of the year and deals with human’s impact on the environment. The students are to find pictures, take pictures, and narrate the movie with a script that they have written and then finally add appropriate music.
As I’m not a huge fan of my own voice I decided to opt out of the narration portion, and instead wanted the pictures and music to work together to form the story. With some timely editing, I feel that this digital story tells the tale of the plight of the earth and what we as humans need to do in order to impact the planet in a positive way. I have used pictures from the internet, as well as from my own classroom (with permission) and I’m pretty sure the music will be familiar to some. I tried to use purely Creative Commons material, but found that it limited the effectiveness of the iMovie. Instead, there is a mix of content and I’m actually not sure how I feel about using the Google images I chose.
Pedagogically, I can see my project serving the purpose of an exemplar of what students may possibly want to create when it is their turn to complete a digital story. By offering this as an example students can either copy what I have done (but of course add some of their own narration) or take my idea and build off of it, or do something completely of their own choosing. I find that with technology there are increased ways for students to realize and share their learning. Furthermore, with iPads in each of my students’ hands, it was an easy choice to use iMovie to create the story.