Week+3+Module

**Week Three Module: Sunday, March 27 - Saturday, April 2 **__**Assignments and Discussion Posts due by Saturday, April 2 **__
 * // *Please review the previous discussion forum postings. Your trainers, as well as other participants, have been responding to your posts. It will be helpful to read their comments. //**


 * RI Unit of Study assignment: **
 * Complete the following sections of the Unit of Study using the link on the Unit of Study Page Template page: Taught Curriculum, Resources and Materials.

**Digital Storytelling: ** Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view. Digital stories usually contain some mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. Digital stories can vary in length, but most of the stories used in education typically last between two and ten minutes. The topics that are used in Digital Storytelling range from personal tales to the recounting of historical events, from exploring life in one's own community to the search for life in other corners of the universe, and literally, everything in between. [] >  Post your digital story to You Tube,[|Vimeo,] Teacher Tube or School Tube and link the URL to your website.
 * Technology assignment: **
 * **Assignment: **Create a digital story that models what you would ask of your students using any of the digital story telling tools listed below and post it to your personal website. This would be a good time to create something related to your Unit of Study! If you are not using a digital story telling activity for your Unit of Study, these are excellent tools for integrating technology in your instruction. We would still like you to create one and share it on your website. ** The tools listed below are not listed in any specific order or priority. Please find a tool that works for you and your computer! **If you find difficulty posting your digital story to your website, please consider posting the file to your RIEPS folder (open RIEPS, select RITTI online course, and select RESOURCES. Find your name and upload the file to the folder).
 * Directions to embed a video on your website (instructions are included if you use Weebly - scroll down the site)  ** OR **


 * 1) Photo Story: @http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx Free! Use digital pictures and voice narration to create a movie. Tell a story, recite poetry, practice vocabulary, showcase research, etc. Note: Photostory is a PC platform only and requires the latest version of Windows Media Player. Photostory Directions (PDF).
 * 2) MovieMaker: Free! Use video clips, digital pictures, music and voice narration to create a movie. This software can use both video AND digital photos. More complex than Photo Story but offers additional options.
 * 3) Zooburst: //[]// Zooburst is a digital storytelling tool that lets anyone easily create his or her own 3D pop-up books.
 * 4) Photopeach... [] With PhotoPeach you can create a rich slideshow in seconds. Photopeach also supports background music, captions, and comments so you can elaborate on your story further.
 * 5) Voice Thread: @http://voicethread.com/ Voicethread is audiovisual tool that gives users the ability to upload images or video files and then add audio or text comments.
 * 6) Kerpoof: @http://www.kerpoof.com/ Kerpoof is a site that provides a variety of creative tools for animation, drawing, and movie creation. Users can choose from a range of preset characters and environmental options, or they can create their own. The site offers drag-and-drop simplicity coupled with advanced animation and editing capabilities that, according to Lovely, open the platform up to a range of curricular applications.
 * 7) Animoto: @http://animoto.com/. An automated presentation generator that focuses on using images to communicate a message.
 * 8) Empressr: //[]// Create unique digital stories online. Very easy to use. Add video, images, audio and easy to embedd the show on your blog or website.
 * 9) [|Yodio]. Record your photos and voice to create a digital story
 * 10) Little Bird Tales: [] Capture a child's voice and imagination with Little Bird Tales creative story building tool and share them with friends and family.
 * 11) Flip Cam Video: A Flip Cam is a hand held video-capturing device that makes recording and editing video simple. Remember the old bulky camcorders? The Flip Cam fits into your pocket and takes surprisingly good quality videos that can be edited and shared in minutes. Simply select the red record button, download the video to your computer with the integral UBS port (no cords necessary!), edit the video using the integral software, and then share the video via email, You Tube or a link posted to a website. Prices range from $100 - $200 depending upon storage space and HD capabilities. On the fence about purchasing a Flip? Check out: 43 Interesting Ways to use a Pocket Video Camera in the Classroom, written by Tom Barrett
 * 12) If you are a Mac user, use any of the equivalent tools Apple offers.
 * 13) Blabberize, is an example of a digital storytelling tool. You have already been introduced to this tool in Week 1. Please select a different tool to explore this week.
 * 14) Characters: is for very young children. Create a character from the options and even write a line or two about the character. Print out the page and use it to conference with the teacher, creating a verbal story about your character.
 * 15) Scratch: video game creation for students. Check out LearnScratch for tutorials.


 * If you would like to use a different tool not mentioned here, contact your Trainer for that option.
 * If you have time, check out SchoolTube.com, a safe place for students and teachers to share their videos online.
 * [|VideoStoryboard.pdf] //HINT: when asking students to create digital stories, using a storyboard first is helpful.//


 * Discussion Forum Posts **
 * **Discussion forum 5**: This week you’ve thought about the resources and materials necessary for your Unit of Study. New equipment and technology creates classroom management challenges. It may be a challenge you welcome, but it does require thought and planning to integrate technology in a purposeful way. What are your thoughts about this challenge and how might your classroom look different?
 * **Discussion forum 6**: Digital storytelling is a very powerful way for students to present their ideas. Watch at least one of the student samples posted on the wiki for ideas. How could your students create a product using digital story telling? Give three examples.