Storytelling and us: why we are here
Storytelling – been around for a long time, frequently a chore, an opportunity or a delight for students who have begun to master the skills of literacy.
Now there is a new set of tools to tell stories – video, slide shows, audio, animation and a mixture of all of these. For teachers, learning what these communication tools have to offer is the first priority, then how to use them, then how to use them with students and finally, how to share and enjoy the stories that result.
First comes the story – then comes the presentation. We have plenty of tools. How can we use them well? Are some more appropriate for Primary students?
Some are more appropriate for students – mainly the ones you have access to Programs like Photostory 3 are free and a great place to start with primary students. The storytelling is the focus, the program just the tool used to create it.
I agree with you Judy. The story is the key thing. We have great tools – such as the free-to-downloads like PhotoStory – but they can be used to produce rubbish. How can we encourage kids to create great stories?
I think that there are a lot of answers to that question but some of the things we can do are:
* show them great digital stories and discuss what makes them great
* have a real purpose and audience for their work
* ensure critical feedback for their work
Yes, let’s see some examples. A good story is a good story.