I've been thinking about how I can use digital stories for what I do since we started this class. Actually it was even before that when I received Presentation Zen over winter break and started paging through it. I am a history teacher right now. I am getting my LMS certification, but only because it allowed me to get my full-time teaching job. As a history teacher, this book and this class have completely changed my outlook on what I want to be doing in my classroom. All that history is, in the end, is a collection of stories. Even if it is just data, that data can be turned into stories. I am making it my unofficial goal, and I'm thinking about making it my official goal in my PDP, to become more of a storyteller in my presentations. I believe that I should be able to have at least one good story with a presentation per unit. I know that as I teach the same class longer I can started building up my stockpile of stories. What I would like to do at this point is just start some brainstorming away from the computer and finding great stories about and from people that have lived throughout history.
I loved Voicethread. Once I got in there and started messing with it, it just got easier and easier. I can't wait to find a way to use this in my class.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI was drawn to your blog by reading one of your replies about when you were creative and you started writing a children’s book. I just wanted to encourage you to perhaps pick it up again. Maybe there is some creative way to start your story using some of the things we are exploring in digital media class. I, like you, am looking forward to finding a way to use all this stuff with our students. Perhaps you can get with your media specialist and do some collaboration to get you ready for being an LMS.
I am very interested in knowing how you are going to format storytelling into your PDP goal. What types of evidence could you submit to show that you have reached your goal? How will your goal improve student achievement? Make sure that these are attainable because your PDP stays with you for the next 4-5 years.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with what you said. As a fellow history teacher for the past 3 years, I have learned that success and reaching your students is all in the story you tell them. Anyone can recite facts and show pictures, which leads to that glazed over look in the eyes of every student that so many teachers and parent dread. The story and bringing in your own unique personality is what makes that information "stick" and leads to success. I really think that making your PDP goal to be a better storyteller is a interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Matt, as I used Voicethread more the easier it was and I could see using this in the classroom for many purposes (both the teacher and students). What a wonderful you have to make your history lessons stick by being more of a storyteller than a lecturer! How much more meaningful will your lessons be to students-they will take away so much more from your classroom!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued-how did persuing an LMS get you a full-time teaching position?
I think that is very bold of you to attempt to use storytelling as a goal in your PDP. Good for you! I totally agree with the connection between history and storytelling. "History" wouldn't exist if not for storytelling. How would anyone know about anything? Especially in the olden days when a lot of our primary sources are from diaries. History could almost be stories about stories... people read a story and then re-tell it in their own way. It's kind of like primary and secondary sources.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed voicethread and the ease of which to figure it out. I can see myself using that for years to come in a variety of ways.
Stories are powerful - they are what separate a good book from a dry book. I'm willing to guess that if you closed your ideas and recalled the best teachers you had, they were the ones who told stories and engaged you. Be creative, tell your story - we are here to listen.
ReplyDelete