Using Technology to Support Literacy
Storytelling is one of the most ancient forms of communication. Before there were cameras, computers, or even books, stories held the knowledge of all civilization. Even today, students love to read and listen to stories as a way to learn about the world and how it works. What's more, encouraging students to tell stories either orally or in print is a great way to help them practice grammar, expand their vocabulary, and share their ideas with others.
In this age of multimedia, a new kind of storytelling has emerged. Digital Storytelling takes the art of storytelling and adds elements of sound, video, and photo images to create a multi-dimensional tale that draws the reader into the story. It's an excellent tool to encourage students to take their writing to a new level as well as a way to bring technology into your curriculum.
Worried that it will take a lot of time and know-how to create digital stories in your classroom? Don't be - let us show you how easy it can be to use digital storytelling with your students!
Articles
Introduction to Electronic Publishing: Start With Story Ideas
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
Inspire your students to start writing, drawing, and creating audio with these electronic publishing ideas. Also, read about chances to differentiate instruction.
Introduction to Electronic Publishing: The Tools
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
Browse this list of programs to decide which digital tools are the best fit for your students and their storytelling goals
Introduction to Electronic Publishing: Managing Technology
by Gayle Berthiaume
Pointers for teaching a child electronic publishing. Recommends using the help of a buddy or a senior citizen volunteer.
Introduction to Electronic Publishing: Planning Lessons
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
Advice on finalizing published work. Includes a strategy checklist to help guide your child through her first electronic publishing projects.
by Michelle Bourgeois and Gayle Berthiaume
Engage in richer literacy experiences by having students "write" with text, audio, and video. Here are the hardware and software tools you need to get started.
by Michelle Bourgeois and Gayle Berthiaume
Review the initial steps you need to take to begin a lesson that will include having students create movies or podcasts.
by Michelle Bourgeois and Gayle Berthiaume
View examples of how students use multimedia to present their stories.
by Michelle Bourgeois and Gayle Berthiaume
When students are involved in authentic learning like using movies or podcasts to share their digital stories, a rubric can help you assess students' progress. See suggestions on creating the right rubric for your assignments.
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
Easy-to-use online sites and application let students work collaboratively on projects across the curriculum.
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
See how adding an online publishing activity to a standard lesson promotes writing across the curriculum, integrates curriculum areas, and makes learning more authentic.
by Gayle Berthiaume and Michelle Bourgeois
Students demonstrate what they've learned by creating final products using online tools. See some examples of these products from our tech tutors' classrooms.
