I was very curious to read about how to create ebooks with students, especially young students. This is an idea I've toyed with for a while, but I wasn't sure how to find creator tools. Storyjumper looks like a wonderful fit for my school, especially since you can add your own photographs. Our students often use social stories to assist with behavior issues, transition anxieties, or interpersonal skills. Creating a personal ebook could be an effective way to involve students in their social stories, and they could use actual photographs from our school. In the library, it would be nice to be able to put an ebook together as cumulative project after class research, or if we are simply making up stories! In recent years, fiction writing has taken such a back seat to other forms of expression, and I see an opportunity to integrate creative writing into technology. I can also see some parents enjoying these sites to create ebooks at home.
Storybird also looks like a beautiful tool for ebooks. The art work is appealing and definitely appropriate for younger students. I think students who have the aesthetic eye would really enjoy this creator tool!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Thing 4: Digital Storytelling
I am very interested in digital storytelling for so many reasons. Most practically, I have been working for several years with my first grade classes on an arctic animal research project, and I have noticed we need to add some excitement final presentation! The digital storytelling medium, with its simplicity of text, is perfect for our primary students. One year, we were able to make a movie with the green screen and it was much more engaging than simply writing a report. However, when our technology specialist left, his assistance and the green screen left too! Since then, I have wondered about using a tool to create digital stories that they could share with one another. I am so happy that I now know where to look and have resources to create these stories, especially next year when we get ipads in the library.
As mentioned in the articles, this medium is not only an enjoyable expression, but an important tool for supporting student writing and technological fluency. This presentation method also seems to be authentic as our professional worlds embrace this type of format more and more.
As mentioned in the articles, this medium is not only an enjoyable expression, but an important tool for supporting student writing and technological fluency. This presentation method also seems to be authentic as our professional worlds embrace this type of format more and more.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Thing 1: Blogging
My name is Jennifer Nather, and I am a librarian in a primary school in Brockport, NY. Having been out of graduate school for several years, I am hoping Cool Tools will help me freshen up on my technology skills and some topics for the library. Already, I have discovered that Google Classroom requires some exploring!
I have some conflicted feelings about blogging and how to use it in schools. After reading some of the articles and listening to "How to Safely Connect Six-Year-Olds to the World," I am impressed that teachers are using this format so well with their students. Authentic assignments are the most meaningful way to teach digital safety and citizenship. However, I have some reservations about sharing student work with the "world," and wonder about the relevance given the growth of new platforms, such as Schoology.
On a professional level, I have wondered if creating a blog about our new books, or books related to the curriculum, would be an efficient way to "promote" them to busy teachers. In our time-strapped school day, I struggle to find time to talk with teacher about useful or enjoyable books. I wonder if a blog could allow teachers to read synopses and gather ideas at their own pace. Perhaps we could have a little book club online!
I have some conflicted feelings about blogging and how to use it in schools. After reading some of the articles and listening to "How to Safely Connect Six-Year-Olds to the World," I am impressed that teachers are using this format so well with their students. Authentic assignments are the most meaningful way to teach digital safety and citizenship. However, I have some reservations about sharing student work with the "world," and wonder about the relevance given the growth of new platforms, such as Schoology.
On a professional level, I have wondered if creating a blog about our new books, or books related to the curriculum, would be an efficient way to "promote" them to busy teachers. In our time-strapped school day, I struggle to find time to talk with teacher about useful or enjoyable books. I wonder if a blog could allow teachers to read synopses and gather ideas at their own pace. Perhaps we could have a little book club online!
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