Instructional Technology Blog » Photo Story 3 http://it.seattleschools.org/blog Resources for using technology in the classroom Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:35:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 A Middle School Teacher Uses Photostory for the First Time http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/05/a-middle-school-teacher-uses-photostory-for-the-first-time/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/05/a-middle-school-teacher-uses-photostory-for-the-first-time/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 16:22:56 +0000 Juli http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/?p=2631 Barbara Beers, 8th grade geography teacher at Whitman Middle School, was tired of using Power Point for student projects. (She’s not alone, a fun video – How Not to Use Powerpoint.) With the support of her librarian and Instructional Technology Specialist, she decided to try Photostory for the first time. In this post, you will find an overview of the project phases, links to her project files, and student work samples.

Project Purpose: to create a “sense of place” about a country in North Africa or Southwest Asia. See her project handout for details about student expectations. This project was part of a larger unit that included a UNESCO essay designed to use a research gathering tool which prompted students to gather background information about an assigned country (essay handout).

Key Resources: UNESCO website, eLibrary (great resources for pictures & maps), Photostory3 handout (QRD)

Timeline:

  • Day 1: Project overiew and discussion about UNESCO (1 period = 50 min)
  • Day 2: UNESCO fact collection/research in library & homework (1 period)
  • Days 3: Demo examples, including inspirational video about Matt Dancing around the world (click on Matt’s Place)
  • Days 4 & 5: Student work days (4 periods in library – block schedule)
    ** There was no formal instruction about Photostory3, the demo and QRD (Quick Reference Document) was sufficient to support student use.
  • Day 6 & 7: Student presentations

Step 1: Teacher, librarian and IT specialist met to explore Photostory3. Mrs. Beers used the QRD to guide her development of 2 model projects, 1 modeling what not to do, and another providing a positive exmple.

Step 2: Mrs. Beers create 2 demos at home, showing both a strong and weak example of a multimedia project. She focused on limiting text and photo selection. Creating a project gave her a better understanding of how student might use the tool.

Step 3: Class project days

Step 4: Student presentations – samples Omar| Jordan

Important Technical Issues:

  1. Save both the Phtostory project files (.wp3) and the final rendered videos (.wmv) in either student folders on the server or in a virtual teacher drop-box
  2. If projects will be available on the web, be sure to discuss copyright issues associated with using music from a file or CD. The customized music option in Photostory makes copyright compliance much easier to manage.
]]> http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/05/a-middle-school-teacher-uses-photostory-for-the-first-time/feed/ 0 Digital Storytelling at SBOC http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/04/digital-storytelling-at-sboc/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/04/digital-storytelling-at-sboc/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:33:49 +0000 Janice http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/?p=2258 What makes the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center unique is their student body. Students who come to the SBOC are newcomers to the United States often with little English and limited formal academic skills. They also have varying social and life skills, which makes it difficult to cope with their new home in Seattle. In order to support them, and help them adjust here, it is important to know what they feel about their country of origin.

Lori Leberer, art and multimedia teacher, and Chuck Meding, technology teacher, have involved SBOC students in the Adobe Youth Voices program for the last two years. This program works with schools worldwide using the Adobe Premier products to achieve Adobe’s goal to help students create with purpose. The theme for SBOC student projects is, “I Am From…” Chuck Meding says, “Our goal is to demystify the power of the computer and to help our students communicate their stories to others. Digital story telling is powerful when simply done with pictures and student voices. Lots of our students are scared and lost when they come here, and getting their feelings out in video helps them tell all of us their story without worrying about language. It empowers them.”  You can see that in the three student videos featured here.

Students stay with the SBOC from one to four semesters transitioning through three literacy levels and five math levels. Their greatest impediment is communicating in English. Telling their stories helps them grow in English communication skills as they work with teachers, volunteers and other students to get their stories to publication.

The Adobe Youth Voices program is designed to be finished in an academic year, but at the SBOC the projects must be finished in a semester (20 weeks), because the students who qualify to work with the Youth Voices program are the ones who will be transitioning out to other schools at semester breaks. This is a steep learning curve for students as they strive to tell their stories through pictures, sound and narration.

Here are three of their stories.
Rolando:

Claudia:

Jeong:

]]> http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/04/digital-storytelling-at-sboc/feed/ 3 Supporting a Principal’s Book Club http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/02/bookclub/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/02/bookclub/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:01:58 +0000 Abbey http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/?p=524 A book club is a great way to bring people together to share their thoughts about what they are reading. Organizing such an event for students and /or parents in your community can send a powerful message to establish yourself as a reader and as a leader in literacy. Whether you are considering developing a book club with face-to-face interaction or through online social interaction, there is a wealth of resources online which can help you throughout the process.
Mark Federman, principal at Eastside Community High School in New York, has been conducting Book Clubs for his students (6-12 grade) for the past 8 years. He advocates, “ The most doable way to create a culture of learners who value reading and to launch the start of Readers Workshop is through a Book Club.” Click More to continue reading:

I have collected valuable information to guide you through getting started including:

  • Mark Federman’s tips for getting started such as choosing your first few titles for the year, introducing your first book club event, advertising the launching of your Book Club etc.
  • Letter of Support from Barnes and Noble which highlights suggestions for raising funds for purchasing books plus much more
  • Technology Resources and websites for each phase of implementation

Mark Federman visited with some of our Seattle principals to share his process and insights for a successful implementation of a Book Club. With his permission, I have outlined below a summary of notes from his presentation and artifacts he shared around this topic. I have also spotlighted the technology resources and websites, which can help you in the various phases of implementation. Be sure to read the letter of support from Barnes and Noble local representative, Lisa Lundquist.

First Year Selection of Books

• Start with a Universal theme, a book everyone can read, high interest for students you are targeting
• Repeat popular authors
• BiblioTherapy: Allow for time with students to address important teen issues and other topics
• Choose books that have movies coming out

  • Find lists of sources for Top Picks (See Technology Resource links)
  • Ask avid student readers for recommendations
  • Ask students in a special group to preview book for you and ask them to give recommendations
  • Contact Publishers to inquire about opportunities to become a Reader School, who preview books before they are released.

    • Technology Resources:
    First Year suggested BookCover List and Synopsis
    Evergreen Young Adults Book Awards
    Sponsored by Washington Young Adults Review Group
    Pacific Northwest Library Assoc. Young Reader’s Choice Awards
    This award includes a division category for 4-6th grades, 7-9th grades, and  10-12th grades.
    Notable Children’s Books
    Committee of librarians  (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books (for age levels birth -14). According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.

    Ideas for Advertising

    • Pass out fliers to introduce the Book Club. Be sure to include upcoming books for future Book Club sessions
    • Announcement at assemblies
    • Book Talks either in person or on multimedia
    • Special flier for “Invite for Kick off Party” (usually 10-15 minute book talk and a time to distribute copy of books for students)
    • Another way to distribute books might be in partnership with Language Arts Teachers, Math teachers, or Science teachers as appropriate for the featured Book Club selection.
    • Email announcements to teachers with possible incentives such as field trips for a class of students to Bookstore or Library, or organize a field trip for teachers to a local bookstore.
    • Inquire around your local businesses for ways to raise funds. ( see letter of support from Barnes & Noble)
    • Inquire about celebration locations in your community  where students can share their own poetry or other writings in front of live audience
    • Provide workshop for all parents to attend in order to inform parents of the Literacy expectations and value of reading (see PowerPoint:Family Literacy Information)

    Technology Resources:
    Book Cover Images to paste and create your own fliers
    PowerPoint: “Family Literacy Information”
    Letter of Support from Barnes & Noble

    Getting Students Started

    • Special flier for “Invite for Kick off Party” (usually 10-15 minutes book talk and a time to distribute copy of books to students.
    • Provide a suggested time line to finish reading the book. For first year, recommend a three to four week time frame but can be adapted, as students get familiar with format.
    • Request a letter from students about the book (see Sample Request)
    • Pull quotes from student letters to start discussion
    *Encourage students to keep a log of what they have read
    • Mark Federman is currently using a tool online for book discussion groups called Goodreads
    • Provide a tutorial for students to learn how to use online discussion group (Ideally, the school librarian might do this.)

    Technology Resources:
    Sample letter to students
    includes suggested prompting questions
    Goodreads
    This is a website where book lovers can record the books read or plans to read and share rating for books with recommendations. This resource also features a forum to have group discussion about books read within a private setting.
    Shelfari (Another option for rating books or online book discussion)  http://www.shelfari.com/

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2009/02/bookclub/feed/ 1     Digital Media in the Classroom http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/11/digital-media-in-the-classroom/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/11/digital-media-in-the-classroom/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:45:58 +0000 Gary http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/?p=942 An excellent example of teachers and students using digital media in the classroom is Nathan Hale’s 10th Grade Academy. These students are creating movies about the effects of worldwide epidemics as a research project. The Hale teachers realized that the video editing process would consume too much time and decrease the time students spent learning the content. Their solution was to imitate the “Ken Burns” style and create movies using only digital photos instead of video. To do this, the teachers designated Photostory 3 as the “movie” making application. These changes helped simplify the movie making process and reduced “creation” time significantly. Throughout Seattle Schools many teachers and students are using digital images, like the Hale staff, to enhance teaching and learning. To support all these endeavors, Instructional Technology is listing the following information as a resource. The information is organized into 3 sections: 1) resources for gathering digital pictures, 2) managing and editing digital images, and 3) tools for integrating digital pictures into instruction and learning.

    Also, the Instructional Technology group is asking for your comments about other possible resources and or questions related to digital images to help us enhance the resource information in this blog post.

    All of the links listed can be found at the Instructional Technology Delicious Site

    Agenda

    1. General overview of digital media resources
    2. Time to explore digital media resource post
    3. ET Input: Entering Questions and Comments in the IT Blog
    Note: Some of the listed information only refers to the possibility for using this resource. Because each building has unique network and computer characteristics we are not able include specific instructions for some of the information. Please contact your ET, IT and NA for more information.

    Digital Picture Resources (Possibilities)

    Internet (Copyright Free Resources)

    Digital Cameras

    • Transfer directly from camera: To download the specific camera drivers on your Teacher Work Station (CWS) you will need the help of someone with a #pound account or a Network Analyst (requested through techline – 252-0333).

    • External USB Card Reader: These all-in-one readers allow you to download images directly to a computer and do not require software drivers installation.

    • Home Computers: Use a pen drive to copy and transfer images from a home computer.

    • See How Do I Pick a Digital Camera on the IT Blog

    Document Camera:

    1. Capture an image using only a document camera:
      1. Press the capture button on the document camera panel.
      2. Press the playback button to view these images
      3. Download Images from a computer:
    2. Capture an image using Aversion Software and the document camera

    Scanner: These devices are fading but they can be valuable as a means for making student drawings into digital pictures. Scanners can capture images at the highest quality.

    Cell Phones: Cellular camera technology is a popular tool used by students and adults for capturing images. The easiest solution for collecting these images is to download them on a home computer and transport them with a pen drive.

    Computers: The most recent models of Apple iMacs and Macbooks have built-in cameras for capturing digital images.

    Digital Picture Management (Organization and Editing):

    • Teacher Work Stations (CWS) and Student Computers (including Presentation Station Computers):
      • Organization: Create and name folders within the folder, “My Pictures.” At this time there is not an approved software solution for organizing photos on these computers.
      • Basic Editing:
        • Paint: The Paint program comes on all Windows computers and includes some simple editing features like cropping, resizing, and re-formatting.
        • Paint.net: This is a free download for PCs with photo editing features. Paint.net To download this software on your Teacher Work Station (CWS) you will need the help of someone with a #pound account or a Network Analyst (requested through techline).
    • Macs: iPhoto is a Mac only digital picture management tool that includes simple photo editing features. It is loaded on all SPS Macs.

    Instructional Uses of Digital Images:

    Samples and Resources:

    Preparation Resources:

    Digital Story Telling – Resource List

    See Digital Story Telling on the IT Blog

    Applications:

    GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design): Promotes instructional strategies that use visuals (digital and analog) to enhance student learning.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/11/digital-media-in-the-classroom/feed/ 2     Fun With Photo Story 3 http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/10/fun-with-photo-story-3/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/10/fun-with-photo-story-3/#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:47:49 +0000 Darla http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/?p=501 Teachers like to do “get to know you” activities with their students at the beginning of the year. This usually entails pairing up the students, having them ask each other questions and standing in front of the class introducing each other to their peers. This year Mrs. Watling at Wing Luke Elementary decided to integrate technology in her “get to know you” activity by having her students take pictures and record their interviews using Photo Story 3. The students were in charge of creating a movie about each other for their peers, teachers, principal and parents to view. This was no longer the same activity the students were use to doing. They had to rehearse and be prepared, speak clearly and loud enough so their voices could be heard and hopefully they could include some excitement and expression. Plus, the students had to learn how to collaborate by listening and verbally supporting each others efforts. The level of concern and investment towards the project increased, this activity was going to be published and saved for years to come. 

    photostory3tutorial.doc

    Fun ways students can use Photo Story:
    1. Explain the events of a field trip
    2. Illustrate vocabulary words
    3. Persuade people to visit a city of their choice
    4. Write a report on animals
    5. Create a calendar of memories
    6. Write a story about their life or an important event
    7. Illustrate a biography of an important person
    8. Show a timeline of events in Washington State
    9. Demonstrate the steps of a scientific experiment
    10. Prove their understanding of the water cycle or rock cycle
    11. Illustrate their narrative, persuasive and expository pieces of writing

    Fun ways teachers can use Photo Story:
    1. Creatively introduce a writing prompt
    2. Explain safety rules
    3. Illustrate directions for a project
    4. Demonstrate different types of assessments
    5. Create visual schedules
    6. Show samples of rubrics
    7. Create role playing skits to show conflict and resolution skills
    8. Show art from a specific period in history
    9. Create student portfolios to show progress throughout the year.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/10/fun-with-photo-story-3/feed/ 1     The Best Part of Me: A Multimedia Poetry Unit http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/01/best-part/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/01/best-part/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:54:38 +0000 Juli http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/01/29/best-part/ This project showcases the work of Orca teacher Katherine Law and her former students. As part of their work with a poet-in-residence, the students wrote poems about themselves, and used digital cameras to create a classroom book. The photography portion was inspired by the work of Wendy Ewald. The next step was to record students reciting their poety. The final step was to put everything together using Photostory 3. Click on the image below to view the movie.

    Best Part title

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2008/01/best-part/feed/ 4     Converting PowerPoint to Photo Story 3 http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/11/convert_ppt/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/11/convert_ppt/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:00:35 +0000 Juli http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/11/13/convert_ppt/ It’s easy to convert a PowerPoint file into a Photo Story 3 Movie. Here are the steps:

    1. Open .ppt file, and select “Save as.” Using the drop-down menu, select either .jpg or .gif as your file type.

    saveas_menu_sm1.gif

    2. Next you will be prompted to choose every slide or current slide only.

    everyslide.gif

    3. Depending on the previous selection, either one or all the Power Point slides will be saved in the location you identfied.

    slides_sm.gif

    4. Finally, open Photo Story, and import your slides. Now you can follow the Photo Story tutorial to complete your project. You might also like to use the online screencast tutorial that provides a voice over and animation for a more interactive experience.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/11/convert_ppt/feed/ 2     eScrapbooking http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/10/escrapping/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/10/escrapping/#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:50:49 +0000 Abbey http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/10/15/escrapping/ picture1Scrapbooking is more than organizing a collection of pictures, words to document important memories. It is a selection process to capture details where powerful personal insights are revealed. eScrapbooking is the digital version of that process which can aid students in sorting through all the scraps of information they are bombarded with and in capturing snapshots of their own learning. It is also a useful tool for teachers to reflect on their practice.

    Reflecting on your professional development experience is vital because it helps transfer new skills and knowledge into practice. It also reinforces your learning. It’s my belief there is an equally essential need for students to be more involved in reflecting on their own learning.

    To focus on this belief, I have put together this training module to simulate an experience where teachers create an eScrapbook using their own learnings as content. I have been told by Teacher participants that this simulation can be easily adapted for students in the classroom. The idea is to help students synthesize and analyze in a technology rich learning environment.

    Resources are listed below. I would love to hear how you have expanded on this idea and how you have adapted these templates to make them better.
    Storyboard for Scrapbooking
    Teacher Example:Targeting Process
    Scrapbook of Reflections Handout

    To read more information on this topic from author Annette Lamb click on this Link.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/10/escrapping/feed/ 2     Digital StoryTelling http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/03/digital-storytelling/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/03/digital-storytelling/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:45:49 +0000 Janice http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/03/16/digital-storytelling/ Every culture has used storytelling as a powerful tool for imparting tradition, culture, wisdom, mystery and myth. We have all been enthralled by a good story whether told to us by our grandfather, read to us by our mother, or given to us in the movies. While listening, we conjure images and sounds to go with what we hear. While viewing we compare the images on the screen with those we have in our heads of a book or a hero. Digital Storytelling takes the two traditional skills of academic storytelling; writing and reading, and adds music and images to the mix. Students become powerful storytellers of their own ideas and experiences in this process as they use traditional literacy and media literacy skills to weave their tales.

    I encourage you to try your hand at constructing digital stories as you work with your students in writing workshops.

    Here is a short document that will help you understand the steps and content of digital storytelling.

    These resources will fill you with enthusiasm by giving you inspiration and help.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/03/digital-storytelling/feed/ 0     Importing Backgrounds for Text in Photo Story 3 http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/02/photostory3-backgrounds/ http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/02/photostory3-backgrounds/#comments Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:21:21 +0000 LeAnn http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/02/02/importing-backgrounds-for-text-in-photo-story-3/ Background ExampleIn order to add a title to your Photo Story 3 project or write larger amounts of descriptive text, you can insert a colored background into your project. Below are a few different colors, saved as pictures (.jpg) that can be easily imported into your project, just like importing a picture. You can then add text to this picture, and the plain background makes the text more visible.

    ]]>     http://it.seattleschools.org/blog/2007/02/photostory3-backgrounds/feed/ 1