Classroom+Use

=Classroom Use=

Microsoft Photo Story 3 is a tool that should be considered by teachers of almost any grade level and in every curricular area. There are several reasons that support this universal application of the product. First and foremost PS-3 is very simple to use. Often the biggest impedance for teachers with regard to integrating technology is intimidation by seemingly complex software and/or hardware. Teachers who are already pressed for time often do not have the desire to wade through hours of tutorials or online help manuals. PS-3, with its step-by-step, wizard-like approach to building a digital story makes integration very easy and moves the focus away from the technology and back to the learning - where it should be.

The simplicity is not only a benefit to teachers but also to students as well. Valuable class time does not have to be set aside to teach the use of the tool and students can focus more on their content area learning. Also, the ease of student use allows PS-3 to be used across grade levels. There have been successful implementations of this software ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade.

PS-3 also has minimal technical requirements. In schools where brand new computers are not available PS-3 can still be an option. Aside from the requirement of having the latest Windows Media Player installed, a basic computer configuration is all that is required to successful implement this tool. Also, a teacher can decide whether or not to require voice narration depending upon the hardware that is available. This flexibility allows PS-3 to be used and students to experience technology even though their school may not have the budget for brand new, cutting edge equipment.

Another reason for using this tool in the classroom is allowing students to experience multiple forms of technology and a variety of skills. In order to create a PS-3 project, students will need to gather photos. Depending upon the source of their images students will gain experience in capturing images from the Internet, taking photos of their own using a digital camera, or scanning photographs. In addition to these technology skills, the process of creating a digital story, forces students to organize their thoughts and think creatively. Instead of submitting an assignment in a traditional written, paper format having students deliver a digital story would expand student thinking and add an element of critical thinking and problem solving.

=Ethical Issues=

As previously mentioned students can utilize images in their Photo Story project that can easily be obtained online. With this comes the responsibility on the part of the teacher to explain to students about copyright and fair use laws surrounding the inclusion of downloaded images and music. Because of the simplicity of downloading image from the Internet students tend to forget that they may not be legally allowed to use all the digital photos that they acquire. This is not a deterrent to using PS-3. Actually, to the contrary, it is even more of a reason to incorporate this tool because it can be a perfect introduction into a discussion with students about ethical use of digital and intellectual property.

=Student Use of Photo Story=

Photo Story has many uses in a variety of content areas. Example uses by content area and grade level are summarized below.

> step of a complex math problemand with PS-3 create a helptutorial
 * **English/Language Arts** || **Science** || **Math** || **Social Studies** ||
 * * All Grades: Students create a digital book report or a digital interpretation of their own original work.
 * Elementary: Students create an alphabet book by gathering pictures of objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet and narrating.
 * Grades 6 - 12: Students create a digital research project about a classical author. || * Grades 6 - 12:Steps of a dissection are photographed and then inserted, labeled,and narrated in Photo Story.
 * Elementary: Students take pictures of local plants and animals and then use PS-3 to create a digital nature book. || * All Grades: The teacher and/or students scan images of each
 * Elementary: Basic math facts as well as the concept of quantity can be explored by taking photos of objects and adding,subtracting, etc and displaying theresults each on a different PS-3 slide. || * All Grades: Students can create a digital family tree.
 * Grades 6 -12: The amendments to the Constitution or the steps required for a bill to become a law can be represented in photos and narrated. ||

In the end, no matter what the topic or focus of the Photo Story project, students will create a video in Windows Media (.wmv) format. The video will vary in size depending on the number of images and whether or not music and/or narration are included. The video files can be posted on a web site or, if small enough in size, emailed to parents and family. The video files and the ability to place them on the web expands the audience from just the teacher to, potentially, the entire world.

The finished student products should be assessed by the teacher and via a peer review process. For the teacher's purposes a rubric would be most appropriate assessment tool. The categories of the rubric should not only describe quality work from a technical standpoint but also include other, 21st century skills such as collaboration, creativity, design, planning, and documentation. The website Integrating Digital Storytelling Into Your Classroom (@http://its.ksbe.edu/dst/) has an example rubric that would provide a good starting point for creating a PS-3 grading rubric. As shown in the rubric assessment includes creativity and group collaboration in addition to the use of technology.

In addition to rubric-based assessment performed by the teacher student should also demonstrate their finished product to their classmates and all students should participate in a peer review process. This not only serves as a means of improving the finished product but also teaches students the important skill of being able to give constructive criticism in a non-threatening and positive manner.

=Support of Standards and Student Learning=

The use of Photo Story can help students achieve many content area and national standards. Some of these include:

>> >>
 * ISTE NET-S:
 * Demonstrate creativity and innovation
 * Communicate and collaborate
 * Conduct research and use information
 * Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions
 * Use technology effectively and productively
 * Ohio Academic Content Standards: English Language Arts
 * Communication: Oral and Visual Standard - Give presentations using a variety of delivery methods, visual displays and technology.
 * Ohio Academic Content Standards: Technology
 * Standard 3: Technology and Productivity Applications - Students learn the operation of technology through the usage of technology and productivity tools
 * Standard 4: Technology and Communication Applications - Students use an array of technologies and apply design concepts to communicate with multiple audiences, acquire and disseminate information and enhance learning.
 * Standard 5: Technology and Information Literacy - Students engage in information literacy strategies, use the Internet, technology tools and resources, and apply information-management skills to answer questions and expand knowledge.

In addition to supporting student attainment of various academic standards, Photo Story also supports a variety of types of student learning. Two of the most obvious supported learning types are communication and student production. At the heart of Photo Story and digital storytelling in general is the delivery of a message. Whether the message is a personal story, a summary of a field trip, or the steps in a complicated process the ultimate goal of a PS-3 project is to communicate with others. By giving students the opportunity to utilize PS-3 as a means of delivering a finished product, teachers are allowing students to express themselves in ways other than the traditional. The finished product a student creates can also be coupled with more traditional forms of communication such as a class presentation. Whatever the implementation, the process of planning, story boarding, and creating a Photo Story requires students to always have their audience and intended message in mind. By insuring their design meets the audience and message requirements students gain invaluable communication skills.

PS-3 also very obviously supports student production. It is not enough, however, to simply state that the student produces a video file therefore PS-3 supports student production. This tool supports the entire process of production from the early design and planning stages to the later editing and production stages. Because students are able to be involved in all aspects of producing a product, it can be stated that PS-3 fully supports the learning of this vital skill.

=Modifications=

PS-3 lends itself well to modifying a project to meet specific student needs. This is due to the fact that a PS-3 project can be as simple as downloaded images with text labels or as complex as a narrated story with music. Younger students or students with various disabilities can still benefit from this tool simply be adjusting the requirements of the finished product accordingly.

Teachers can also use PS-3 as an individual or group assignment. A group approach is beneficial to teachers who may not have access to a sufficient number of computers or a lab setting. Each student can be assigned a task or role such as photographer, text editor, narrator, interviewer, etc. Together the students would work collaboratively to complete their digital story and still have sufficient exposure to the technical aspects of the lesson.

Lastly, teachers can use this tool to create their own digital teaching resources for students. This allows students to benefit from the product in an indirect manner without concerns regarding their readiness or ability to use the tool. Perhaps the exposure to completed projects created by their teachers would allow them to slowly begin to use the tool for their own projects.

=Lesson Plan Analysis=

Analysis of a lesson plan using Photo Story 3 in Social Studies to create a family tree can be viewed here.