After learning this past week about digital storytelling and technology integration in the classroom, I got to thinking about what sort of project I could assign future students that would include both of these concepts. Although I am not currently teaching, the disaster in Japan inspired a fifth grade social studies project that could be used for any natural disaster around the world. If I were currently teaching, I would use Japan to teach students about how geography impacts countries when struck by disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis and the staggering effects these phenomenon can have. Students would then be grouped and responsible for creating a digital story that reflects the devastation in Japan and what they can do to help the recovery efforts. Although the Next Generation State Standards for fifth grade focus on the United States, when something as catastrophic as the recent earthquake and tsunami occurs in our world I believe it is our responsibility as teachers not to ignore it because it does not exactly over a benchmark or standard. Many of the benchmarks, specifically from the geography strand, can be directly related to this project. You could also adapt it for a natural disaster in the US should one occur.
I think this project would illustrate perfectly technology integration, “the combination of all technology parts…together with each subject-related area of curriculum to enhance learning.” This project would help teach the standards as well as incorporating social studies with reading and writing, and of course, technology. (Shelly, 2010) Shelly also discusses authentic learning, and I certainly think this project could not be any more authentic unless we took a field trip to Japan or the site of a US disaster.
In this hypothetical project, students would use Powerpoint, Slideshare, or Prezi to create their digital story. A major focus of the project would be how the group could help recovery efforts whether it is a fundraiser, an awareness raising effort, or any other creative way they choose. They would be responsible for including graphics, text, and either audio or video in their presentation given to the whole class. Hopefully, if circumstances allowed, the class could select a recovery idea to actually do together. Maybe the entire school could even get involved.
Students would definitely need some past experience or tutorials in using the programs necessary to complete the project. They would also need a variety of appropriate websites for research on Japan, the recent disaster, and perhaps even how-tos on starting a fundraiser or similar project. One excellent resource for finding current events related to the disaster is Scholastic News Online. The class might use this and similar sites to create timelines of the disaster and recovery in preparation for the assigned project. They also might use National Geographic Kids to research information about Japan.
This is definitely the kind of project where students could benefit from a teacher-created rubric as there are many components they will be responsible for. Also, students will probably need to research and work on their projects partially from home. Having a curriculum page with all the appropriate resources or possibly a class wiki they could use as they compile their research might be very helpful.
So there you have it – an authentic digital storytelling learning extravaganza! Obviously there are many ways it can be improved upon or changed to fit a specific group of students or time. Could you use it with your class?
Shelly, G. B., Gunter, G. A., & Gunter, R. E. (2010). Teachers discovering computers:
Integrating technology and digital media in the classroom (6th ed). Australia:
Course Technology Cengage Learning.
I think this is an excellent idea for a project. I would use something similar to this for my middle school Social Studies students. Seventh graders usually take something similar to "World Geography," so this would be perfect. In fact, after the tsunami, we watched several news videos in class about the event and we also did our weekly current events for several weeks about the tsunami, its aftermath, and the recovery. I wish you had some more specifics about the project, such as what specifically the students final outcome would be and how it would be graded (then I would not have to do any work at all!).
ReplyDelete"Students would definitely need some past experience or tutorials in using the programs necessary to complete the project. They would also need a variety of appropriate websites for research on Japan, the recent disaster, and perhaps even how-tos on starting a fundraiser or similar project." This is a very good point because students, especially fifth graders, could not just be turned loose and expected to find relevant information in a timely manner. You have done a good job of recommending a few links to get them started. I believe that most students would find this project quite interesting. This would be something where they try to outdo each other, and see who can come up with the best project. I think it could indeed lead to a "digital storytelling learning extravaganza."
I agree with you in that as teachers, it is our duty to educate our students on current events, even if they don't exactly fit in with our benchmarks. Students often do not know what is going on in the world and it is unfair to them to ignore events that could have an impact on their lives just because they do not fit the standards.
ReplyDeleteI like the resources you included. I had never head of Scholastic News Online before. I've used other Scholastic Resources for high school students before and they are fantastic, so I will definitely be using them with my future elementary students. Thank you for sharing it.
I think this would be a great learning experience for students. Not only would they be able to learn about another country but it would also familiarize them with how natural disasters are handled and what they can do from across the world to lend a hand.
ReplyDeleteI discovered the National Geographic Kids website that you referenced this week when I was doing my assignment. It has tons of great material for students of all ages. I found myself spending hours on there looking at all of the different resources and thinking how cool it would have been to have access to a site like that as a kid.