1. Using Digital Storytelling to Develop Reflective Educators
15th Georgia Conference On College & University Teaching
Kennesaw, Georgia
February 15, 2008
Doyin Coker-Kolo, PhD
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Dr.
Bonita Friend-Williams
Dr. Paulina Kuforiji
Columbus State University

2. Introduction This session will highlight:
Reflection as a valuable self-assessment tool for educators
Writing as an effective means of capturing such reflection
Digital storytelling as a unique way to extend writing process
Resources and ideas for using digital storytelling for professional development

3. Table of Contents Introduction: Share a story to begin (digitized?)
Metaphor Reflective Activity
Attributes of a Reflective Educator
Definition of Digital Storytelling
Attributes of Digital Storytelling
Tools and Free Online Resources for Creating a Digital Story
Educational Uses of
Questions and Answers

4. Quote of the Day
“Experience is not the greatest teacher, it is the reflection on the experience that constitutes effective teaching” (Osterman & Kottcamp, 2004)

5. Starting with the basics..
What is reflective practice?
Who is a reflective educator?
What are the attributes of a reflective educator?
What are the levels of reflection and their benefits?
What do teachers reflect upon? (INTASC standards)

6. Reflective Practice
Reflection: an inquiry-based thinking process in which teachers engage in systematic, rigorous, and disciplined thinking about their professional practice.
Reflective practice: involves thinking about and critically analyzing one's actions with the goal of improving one's professional practice (Imel, 1992)

7. Attributes of a Reflective Educator
Reflects on and learns from experience
Engages in on-going inquiry
Solicits feedback
Assumes responsibility for own learning
Open to alternative perspectives
Perpetual problem solver

8. Attributes of a Reflective Educator continued
Takes action to align new knowledge and understanding
Observes self in the process of thinking
Is committed to continuous improvement in practice
Strives to align behaviors with values and beliefs
Seeks to discover what is true

9. Reflective Vs. Non-Reflective Teachers
Engages in thoughtful reconsideration of all occurrences within their classroom
Is a change agent
Recognizes dilemmas
Student centered
Empowered
Creative; explores alternatives
Is Narrow-minded
Reactive;
Enforce predetermined standards of operations
Avoid dilemmas
Teacher centered
Lacks control of the classroom
Slave to tradition

10. Levels of Reflection Schon (1987) Reflection “in” and “on” action
Surface Reflection
Pedagogical
Critical Reflection
Self Reflection (Cooper & Larivee, 2006)
Schon (1987) Reflection “in” and “on” action
Kottkamp: “offline” and “on-line” reflection

11. Presentation Outline Introductory Activity (A teacher is…)
Storytelling as Art and Science
Writing Process
Digital Storytelling
Examples of digital stories
Resources
Question and Answer

12. A teacher is like…
Complete the metaphor to reflect your thoughts , philosophy, and image of what a teacher is like
(or should be like)
Example 1:
A teacher is like a song creating memories and bringing comfort when you hear it.

13. A teacher is like… Example 2:
A teacher is like a caterpillar because you are continually stretching out and pulling back. It’s pretty stressful if you try to be stretched out all the time, so you have to remember to pull back. But if you always pull back, you go nowhere.

14. Stories
We are our stories. We compress years of experience, thoughts, and emotion into a few compact narratives that we convey to others and tell to ourselves. That has always been true.
Daniel H. Pink
A Whole New Mind

15. Storytelling
Storytelling is part of a rich oral tradition that has been captured in print and has the potential for further enhancement through technology.
Stories help children and adults to share experiences and feelings in an engaging and entertaining way.

16. Storytelling
As Stephen Denning explains: "Stories are immediate and unique. Storytelling brings people together in a common perspective, and stretches everyone's capacity to empathize with others and share experience". The advantages of this type of narrative permeate our culture, creating social practices and human relations that help constitute reality, yet its role in the education and learning process of our children is especially important.

17. Writing Stories
Storytelling, whether oral, written, or digital, is both art and science.
The “science” of storytelling involves a process that can assist the most competent and the most unskilled writer in improving the final story product.

18. Writing Process
Pre-writing
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing

19. Pre-writing Write on topics based on personal experiences.
Engage in rehearsal activities before writing.
Identify the audience who will read the finished product.
Identify the purpose for the writing activity.
Choose an appropriate form for the composition based on audience and purpose.

20. Drafting and Revising Write a rough draft.
Emphasize content rather than mechanics.
Reread the composition.
Share writing (peer or group review)
Participate constructively in the review process for own writing and that of peer or group members
Make changes to reflect reactions and comments from others.

21. Editing and Publishing
Proofread.
Identify and correct mechanical errors.
Meet with peer or teacher for final editing.
Publish writing in the appropriate form.
Share the finished writing with an appropriate audience.

22. Expanding Writing Process
From the finished story, students create a story board using Microsoft WORD
Pictures and narration are the two essential parts of the story board.
Using one of the on-line digital storytelling tools (photostory, for example), students create their digital stories by synchronizing pictures and narration.

23. Expanding Writing Process
Writing A Script
A digital story allows an author to capture the essence of an experience with visual images and sounds. However, the script remains the backbone of the story. The narrative behind and between the images and sounds is critical to how the audience will interpret and feel about your story. So, spend time writing, revising, and editing your script. To produce a digital story that is 2 to 3 minutes in length, you’ll need a script between 1.5 and 2 pages, double-spaced.
Consider these five questions when developing your script:
What should I write about? Thinking of an idea
How do I start? Developing the Lead
What is the main point? Developing a Thesis Statement
How do I end my story? Developing a Conclusion
How do I keep my audience's interest? Revising and Editing

24. What is Digital Storytelling?
Definition
Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights.
- Leslie Rule, Digital Storytelling Association

25. What is Digital Storytelling?
Definition
There are many different definitions of "digital storytelling," but in general, all of them revolve around the idea of combining the longstanding art of telling stories with any of a variety of available multimedia tools, including graphics, audio, video animation, and Web publishing.

26. What is Digital Storytelling?
Definition
Digital storytelling as described by the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) in Berkeley, California
“integrates existing photographs, music, home video, and voice into brief (2-5 minute) video pieces”

27. Why Create Digital Stories?
Promotes the writing process (narrative story)
Delivers a cross curricular project
Addresses a variety of technology skills
Motivates students
It makes learning to be relevant, meaningful, and applicable.

28. Elements of Digital Storytelling
Overall Purpose of the Story
Narrator’s Point of View -Who is the narrator and why is he/she talking to us?
A Dramatic Question or (Questions) - Desire – Action - Realization
Choice of Content
Clarity of Voice - What does your narrator sound like?
Pacing of the Narrative - The rhythm of the story helps set the tone

29. Elements of Digital Storytelling
Emotional Content – What are the emotions associated with your narrative? Meaningful Soundtrack - What music sets the mood for your story?
Quality of the Images
Economy of the Story Detail - Keep it short and succinct.
Good Grammar and Language Usage

30. Digital Storytelling Tools
Digital Storytelling Software:
iMovie on the Mac (free) PhotoStory: XP and above (free).
MovieMaker for PC’s (free).
PowerPoint
HyperStudio
Adobe Premiere Elements, Picasso Software
ULead VideoStudio
Pinnacle Studio,
Final Cut Pro or Express, etc. are big steps up in price and power.
Audacity for audio

31. Digital Storytelling Resources
Free clipart, photos, backgrounds, music & sounds
MS Windows Media Player 10
Required for Photo Story 3

32. Steps in Digital Story Telling
Preparation
Define the purpose of the project.
Align projects goals and objectives with local curriculum and tech standards.
Create a storyboard mapping out the flow of content.
Collect and store media (images, music, etc.) in a centralized location.

33. Steps in Digital Story Telling
Preparation
Digital Camera
Copyright Issues

34. Steps in Digital Story Telling
Development
Compose and edit the narration.
Edit media to better adapt to the storyboard.
Arrange the media to follow the storyboard.
Edit images and upload.
Record Narrations.
Practice reading aloud
Narrate with a microphone
Review recording
Edit and re-record if necessary
Review final narration
Keep it simple

35. Digital Storytelling Tools
Photo Story 3
• Digital Storytelling
• URL:

36. Photo Story 3 PhotoStory 3 Tutorial

37. Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
Digital Stories as Personal Narratives
Personal Reflection
Personal Development
Examples from Across the Curriculum
Response to literature
Character study
Historical account
Lab report
Class trip
Parent night

38. References http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/6/cu11.html

39. References
Schon, D. (1987). Educating the Reflective Practitioner. Josey-Bass Publishers. San Francisco.
Larrivee, B.& Cooper, J., (2006). An Educator’s Guide to Teacher
Reflection. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.