Meclee, (2012). Flag Globe. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_globe.gif
Grade: 2
Subject: Social Studies
Learning about different cultures provides
students with a different perspective to their outside world. I would like my
students to learn about cultures found in the classroom, and cultures around
the community. This digital storytelling project will focus on cultures that
students are not familiar with. Students can create a digital storytelling
project of their own culture as well; however, it is highly encouraged that
students go outside of their comfort zone and learn something new. Students
will be able to work in groups of 2-3.
Digital Storytelling is any story told
through a digital medium and for which text is not the only means of presenting
information (Bedell, 2011). Digital Storytelling can include pictures, film
clips, artwork, music, and narration. Students are encouraged to be as creative
as possible. Students can use the online version of Prezi for their presentations;
they may also use a Microsoft Power Point. To include photographs students can
use their own digital cameras, or us a digital camera provided by the school.
The same policy will apply to video cameras as well.
Students can use the following websites to
gain more information on their chosen cultures:
Students may use other websites that are not
listed above. There are plenty of websites that can be found on the World Wide
Web. Students also have the option of interviewing someone.
In order for students to use Prezi and other
technical tools to its fullest potential, reference guides will be provided to
all students. The importance of safety on the web will be reviewed in class and
reference guides will be given to students to take home. Class time will also
be set aside for students to work on their project in class, in case students
have any questions. Students can use any media tool to present their project.
Digital Storytelling projects can be basic or advanced. Students will be
present their projects to the whole class, so students can learn about all the
cultures researched.
I love your idea of using digital storytelling for cultural projects. It is a great project for encouraging creative work I also like the idea of having students working in groups. It is the prefect collaboration project. I too, intend on having my students work in groups for their digital storytelling project.
ReplyDeleteJodie G
Thank you for your comment. I agree that cultural assignment would be easy for students to do for a digital storytelling project. Students can really learn from one another when they work in groups and when they present their information.
DeleteI appreciate that you have listed several sites to assist in the planning and development of your project. With 2nd grade students are you concerned that they will not have the digital knowledge on how to use the platforms?
ReplyDeleteI love that you are encouraging the students to be as creative as possible. So often we see the same poster board projects...book reports...country papers...etc. It is refreshing to hear that you are looking for creative products. And at such a "young" age! My 6th graders are barely able to piece together sentences at times...
I have a question that I would like to ask, and I am asking all of the students in our class:
How much time should content area teachers spend teaching students how to use programs like Prezi or other digital storytelling platforms? I mean, in a time when we are given more content to cover and fewer hours/days to deliver it...can we afford to spend time showing students (those who do not understand) how to use the digital platforms? Or better yet, can we afford to NOT teach them?
Hello Mike,
DeleteI have thought about the time restriction as well and was trying to find a way that time can be made in the classroom. I thought that creating a video on how to navigate through Prezi, just like Dr. Thompson did for the Diigo site; would allow more time for other activities. Depending on the grade level less teacher assistance will be needed. This is another reason why i wanted students to work in groups so they can use each other as support.