Using Digital Storytelling to Strengthen Informational Writing Jean K. Martin University of West Georgia

Target Audience Teachers of students in Grades 3-5 Classroom Special Education EIP ESOL

Assumptions regarding Audience … Familiar with Microsoft PowerPoint and Word Know how to move images, sounds, and documents into folders Have completed in-service on Creating Storyboards or have prior experience Have completed in-service on Audacity – comfortable recording narration and exporting clips to MP3 files

Learning Objectives Why? Writing & Digital Story Telling Correlation of two expressive communications media Apply research skills Strengthen communication skills Apply informational writing standards to digital story telling How? MovieMaker Open a new project Create title slides – beginning and title overlay Import images Import sound Work in both storyboard and timeline views Publish sample

Why Digital Storytelling?

Integrated Information Project Content Area GPS ELA Informational Writing Standards Digital Storytelling

Informational Writing Components Research Use multiple sources Organization Select appropriate method Content Include appropriate information

Non-linear Process …

Audacity – Recording narration Digital Storytelling Storyboard Plan Organize Software Windows MovieMaker Audacity – Recording narration Digital Resources Images Sounds

Informational Project Steps Research Topic Select Images Create Storyboard Create MovieMaker Project Publish Project

What are the standards?

Informational Writing Standards? (GPS) Research Organization Content of Message

GPS: ELA Informational Writing Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Research f. Uses a variety of resources (encyclopedia, Internet, books) to research and share information on a topic. g. Draws from more than one source of information such as speakers, books, newspapers, and online materials.

GPS: ELA Informational Writing Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Organization e. Uses organizational structures for conveying information (chronological order, cause and effect, similarities and differences, questions and answers). c. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and context.

GPS: ELA Informational Writing Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Content a. Captures a reader’s interest by setting a purpose and developing a point of view. b. Sustains a focused topic. c. Includes the appropriate purpose, expectations, and length for the audience and the genre. d. Includes relevant examples, facts, anecdotes, and details. a. Engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a speaker’s voice, and otherwise developing reader interest. b. Frames a central question about an issue or situation. c. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and context. d. Includes appropriate facts and details. e. Excludes extraneous details and inappropriate information. f. Uses a range of appropriate strategies, such as providing facts and details, describing or analyzing the subject, and narrating a relevant anecdote. b. Develops a controlling idea that conveys a perspective on a subject.

Student Technology Standards?(NETS•S) 1. Creativity and Innovation 5. Digital Citizenship 6. Technology Operations and Concepts ISTE® National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) ISTE® is a registered trademark of the International Society for Technology in Education.

Digital Storytelling & Informational Writing   Reinforce the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) Teach components of informational writing including research using sources outlined in grade-level ELA GPS and understanding of copyright as appropriate Reinforce the components of effective expressive communication outlined in the grade-level writing standards including organizational structures, communication strategies, focus, and voice Promote content GPS when selecting research topic (or topics) in science or social studies that is (are) included in that grade’s GPS

And, if it is uses a computer, the kids are engaged …..

Sample Project Demonstration The White-tailed Deer

Informational Project Research Topic Gather information from varied sources Select Images Teacher or student preselect during research phase Create Storyboard Organize information, images and sounds into planned presentation Record narration as needed Create MovieMaker Project Open project Import Images Import Sounds Select “Save project” within MovieMaker until until complete Publish Project Select “publish project” within MovieMaker Save movie to school’s shared network drive for internal school viewing Save movie to a flash drive or burn to a CD for students to take home To publish in Internet, movie will generally need to be posted to a server for access through a URL

Demonstration Student Project Topic: The White Tail Deer of Georgia and Its Adaptations Standards: Third Grade Science Required information Research: Habitat Physical appearance Food Life cycle Examples of how the animal adapted to its environment Select images (may be provided by teacher)

Role of Storyboard Organizes plan for presentation Can be created using paper and pencil Can be created using Microsoft Word Sample Storyboard Deer Project Storyboard

Create and Name Project

Open Windows Movie Maker

Opened Windows Movie Maker Program

Open new project Click “Save Project As” and enter “Whitetailed Deer”

Import Media Into Project

Imported Images now in place

Create Title Image Add Text Select Background Color Select Font Style and Color

Click on “Tools” on top bar Select “titles and credits” Select “titles at the beginning” and create opening frame

Open Tools Select Titles and Credits

Enter text for title

Additional information in separate box

Select background color for title frame Click on “color” box Click on “add title” when selection is made

Select font style and color for title slides Font style: Comic Sans Font color: White Click “Add Title” when complete

Font Style & Size Font Color Click “Add Title” when finished

Add First Image Add title overlay Add sound clip

Put cursor on first image Drag image to next frame in storyboard view

Add title to overlay image of deer Change View From Storyboard To Timeline Add title to overlay image of deer Select tools “Title overlay on selected clip” Enter text for title Click “add title”

Select Tools Overlay Title

Place cursor on box to move into position Place cursor on end of box to lengthen or shorten

Drag MP3 audio clip under desired image Adjust position as needed

Drag Sound Clip into place on Audio/Music Line

Publish Movie Save “Sample 1” Project Publish “Sample 1” Movie Play Movie

Move cursor to Top Bar Click on file Click “Save Project As” “Sample 1” to publish as a movie (Project “Whitetailed Deer” is still in project form to continue working on to complete movie)

Immediately after saving “Sample 1”, click “Publish Movie” to this computer Follow instructions on screen, clicking on “next” as directed Play movie

Click Here to Begin Sample Movie

Now it’s your turn! Guided Practice

Now its your turn! Follow Sample Storyboard – printed handout, or print PDF Open MovieMaker Create new project named “Whitetailed Deer” Follow instructions as demonstrated Save project as “Whitetailed Deer” Save partial project as “Sample 1” Show instructor Publish movie of “Sample 1” Play movie “Sample 1”

Next steps …. Open “Whitetailed Deer” project Continue to add frames following storyboard in project “Whitetailed Deer”

Tips for MovieMaker

Windows MovieMaker Project Working Tips: Project Creation Tips: Work on one computer from start to publishing movie Create an individual Project Folder for each project Move all images and sounds into that folder Save the MovieMaker project in that folder Project Creation Tips: Complete individual titles and images in storyboard view Add transitions as desired Add slide title overlays (timeline view) Play clip and adjust timing as needed Add audio last (timeline view)

Future In-Service Session

Next Session – Learning Objectives Selecting transitions between images Creating the “Credits” frame at the end Selecting music with copyright permission Activity - Complete “Whitetail Deer” Project Optional – if “Whitetail Deer” Project complete - bring storyboard, images, and sound to create grade-level example of your choosing and ask questions as resources permit during session

Additional Resources MovieMaker Resources and Tutorials (including copyright) http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/nisa/moviemaker.htm