The digital storytelling resources presented this week will definitely be useful in my first grade classroom. My classroom has 3 computer stations. In addition, my school has a computer lab that we use for 30-60 min. every week. By the second semester of school, I was able to begin to do more than just logging in with my students! I started teaching them how to maneuver around email, Google Search, Google Earth, Discovery Education, and assessment probes. I have used Youtube to show them videos that are related to what I'm teaching, however, it is difficult to find exactly what I need. I would be better off creating my own resources! This course has come just in time!
I don't believe in sugar coating life with my first graders. Many of them have already experienced more than many adults have. For this reason, one of my favorite resources is Story Corps. I viewed many of the stories during Week One. I love the idea of showing real people who have overcome real challenges in life.
As I introduce higher level thinking to my students, using Voice Thread for sharing and interactive discussion is a great way to integrate technology to accommodate several educational standards.
I am totally inspired to begin using what I am learning through this course. My toughest challenges will include taking on the philosophy of the Presentation Zen. As expressed in the reading and video, preparation requires "unplugging" from the computer to truly focus on the essence of what you are creating. Your "stickiness" depends on it!
I don't believe in sugar coating life with my first graders. Many of them have already experienced more than many adults have. For this reason, one of my favorite resources is Story Corps. I viewed many of the stories during Week One. I love the idea of showing real people who have overcome real challenges in life.
As I introduce higher level thinking to my students, using Voice Thread for sharing and interactive discussion is a great way to integrate technology to accommodate several educational standards.
I am totally inspired to begin using what I am learning through this course. My toughest challenges will include taking on the philosophy of the Presentation Zen. As expressed in the reading and video, preparation requires "unplugging" from the computer to truly focus on the essence of what you are creating. Your "stickiness" depends on it!
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI know you have a lot of children in your classroom who's lives are in upheaval. Have you thought about having them create a digital story to express their feelings about something in their lives? This could be very therapeutic for them.
Thanks for the great idea, Sarah! I'll have to brainstorm how to pull that off with the limited support I have.
ReplyDeleteErin, you're students are so lucky to have you. I think it's great all the technology you immerse them in! Piggybacking off Sarah's idea, what if you did a class digital story about students' lives where you work with each student one-on-one or in pairs for the computer "stuff" while the others are actively engaged in some other activity? I envsion your 1st graders with sticky notes, sketching their story ideas...I'm sure you can be a worker of miracles!:)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that finding exactly what we're looking for (as educators) on the Internet can be challenging! I too am excited to put the tools we're learing about into play in my classroom!
Erin, it's great your using the resources you do have available to help these young kids become exposed.
ReplyDeleteI'm also super excited and think this class came at the right time! I am getting so many great ideas to help my presentations go from ok to something great! I also like the idea of VoiceThread and can see myself using that next year with my middle schoolers. It'd be awesome to do something with VoiceThread with your students as well, whether it's about their feelings or something else you're talking about. Good luck!
I agree that the ideas in Presentation Zen will be tough to take on. Not because I don't agree, because I have been doing things the same way for so long. I have really enjoyed this book and look forward to the challenge.
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