The New Days.

Digital Video

'Digital Video Goes To School'
Hoffenberg, H., & Handler, M. (2001). Digital video goes to school. Learning & Leading with Technology, 29(2), 10-15.

Ok, to be honest, I just skimmed this article. But I picked up on some really great information and tips on how digital video promotes meaningful learning and examples of how to use it in the classroom. Here we go with some quotes:

"In the process of creating a video, students are practicing many of the following skills:
- the technical skills involved in making and editing a video
- visual literacy skills
- the higher-level thinking skills of analysing and synthesising the information they want to present as they come up with a point of focus their work and as they decide what details to include in their videos"

Some formats that digital video can take include:
- video newscasts
- documentaries
- infomercials
- video clips for websites or multimedia presentations

"Video is a natural fit when you want to capture:
- emotion
- heritage or culture
- memorable experiences
- change over time
- a process
- a phenomenon in nature"

Well, there it is. I think the idea of digital video in the classroom is quite amazing. I am constantly learning more about this medium through this course, and am excited to incorporate what I have learnt on my prac in two weeks! Keep the learning coming!

'The Lace of Life'

One of the guys, Liam, in our class made this awesome digital story. One day, I'm telling myself, I will be able to make something this good! (Hopefully soon, before the due date!)

Finally!

Finally this uploaded! Wow, that took forever!
Today in our tutorial, we focused again on creating our own digital stories. Although my one is slightly dodgy, with all the effects (or lack of them), its still an effort! I created it on iMovie, a program that I first used today, so I'm a bit proud of myself! I don't have a Mac at home, so I will have to use Windows Movie Maker (which, by the way, I downloaded!), which I find actually a lot easier to use than iMovie. All in all, its just a practice run until I create my actual digital learning story.

seven things.

'Seven things you should know about Digital Storytelling', is a really wonderful article. It gives examples, definitions, the benefits/negatives and the significance of digital storytelling and what part it can play in the classroom.

I have been trying to compose my own 'practice' digital story, however my computer doesn't seem to have any movie making component. Unfortunately I do not own a Mac, so I can't use iMovie right now, but I thought Windows had 'Movie Maker'? Strange. Anyway, I will have to keep searching for one. If anyone knows of any that I can download or something, please let me know!

{image by paper whistle}

Digital Storytelling.

In our tutorials, our class has been studying the benefits of Digital Storytelling. I have been so inspired by this medium, and cannot wait to discover more about it, so that hopefully one day I will be confident enough to use this in my own classroom! Basically, digital storytelling is the practice of using computer based tools (a combination of video/sound/images) to tell a story.

Over the long Easter weekend, I went to my church's Art Exchange festival, where they showcased people's artworks based on the concepts of resurrection, life, love, peace, salvation etc. During the church service, they played one man's video (or digital story) that was amazingly creative. It has further inspired me to not only use this medium, but to use it well.

SOMETIMES - Tim Nagle from Tim Nagle on Vimeo.

Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place in the Classroom
by Tom Banaszewski
- this online article is great for a simple yet thorough explaination of what digital stories are and how to effectively implement them into the classroom. The article includes step by step procedures on how to use iMovie, and how to incorporate voice, sounds, images and short video clips. The author concludes by stating:
"It's vital to note, of course, that the technology was always secondary to the storytelling. Scanning photographsand hand-drawn images into the computer, using a digital camcorder, importing music, recording voices, and composing and editing their stories using Apple's iMovie program comprised a technological process that enabled students to develop and share a clear, structured, effective story. Technology's place in the classroom has always challenged teachers to maximize their time and resources while proving its worth. The Place Project demonstrated how technology can be instrumental in the perennial student struggle to find voice, confidence, and structure in their writing."