Quick...Catch the Pile!

Story writing + the creative component of tech =
student author success! 
There are SO many ways to create, write, share, design, produce, and illustrate a STORY, add the DIGITAL component and your piles of resources can just topple over!  With all the choices and options, I have to consider what's the best to use for the objective that I'm trying to have my students reach.  Since we are focusing on tech integration, connecting classrooms within our school and with others virtually, this PLC's session focused on digital storytelling.   

PLC Meeting Reflection:
We got off to a great start.  Immediately, we discussed some things on our mind and by doing so created our agenda for the afternoon.  We shared ideas, concerns, asked each others' opinions, and enjoyed another virtual chat thanks to our webcam.

Karen Ditzler, Elementary Technology Integrator, from Dillsburg, PA was able to connect with us for our virtual meeting this session.  We've worked together numerous times, as well as shared tech integration ideas.  She is a truly inspirational educator and I couldn't wait for her to share one of her specialities with our PLC - digital storytelling! She shared her Progressive Story Project, VoiceThread, Picture Book Maker, and Mixbook with us.  Not only did she walk through each tool using Skype's screen share, but she also shared with us examples of each.  Along the way she offered tips and tricks for implementation. 

Personally, I really liked her take on Picture Book Maker.  I've utilized the other tools presented and had seen Picture Book Maker tweeted on Twitter, but hadn't tried it out yet.  With it's simplistic options, one can create a book in a sitting to print and share personally.  Publishing online is impressive, but having a little book to hold is... vintage in a way...yet because of that aspect almost more appealing in certain cases.  Last school year, I was award Teacher of the Year by the CASLS.  When I attended the banquet, one of the library media specialists was retiring from another district.  During her farwell speech, she'd mentioned how special it is for children to hold books....real books....and to never forget that.  She was referencing the new digital books and the ever-changing technology.  Although I'm an advocate of technology, I couldn't help but to realize the importance of what she was saying.  So, admist publishing online and reading online, this was a nice little reminder that printable books are very valuable to kids.  Thank you Karen for reminding us of this!  

Goals:
Try out some new tools for:
1. Class video of pics - random or themed
2. Small group - collaborative storytelling
3. Whole class modeling of Theme 2 Writing Project - description

Participate in our 3rd Progressive Story Project:
1. Start a web - invite others to collaborate
2. Decide on illustrations in a new way
3. Encourage use of pens and video comments when narrating
4. Skype with other classes involved

Let's get writing! 

Wikis and More...

I have just entered the world of WIKIS and I have no idea what I am doing. :) I really want to create a place where my students can share their thoughts and ideas and display their work. Is this the best place to do this?

My personal goals: I feel that I have met most of my personal goals for our PLC over the past month. I am still struggling with center ideas. I am open to ANY ideas. Mrs. Shawley and myself have really taken a liking to SKYPING with our classes. Our students are developing relationships virtually. I am hoping over the next month to come we will be able to take this to the next level and really make these experiences educational and meaningful to our students. :) I am becoming more familiar with the webcam and snowglobe, but I would really like to explore more avenues of using these in my classroom.

I have become a huge fan of the website Around the World with 80 Schools. I have met teachers from all over the world! It is so exciting. My only concern is that I am having trouble finding a focus or getting started with them. We never know exactly what to do with SKYPE or how to go about introducing our classes... etc. I want this process to be more natural and comfortable- rather than awkward. I would be open to any suggestions on how to put curriculum first and add technology later and make it all flow. I feel like I am thinking of really neat technology ideas, but they are not really fitting into the material I need to be teaching.

Still moving forward and ready to learn new things today at our PLC meeting. :)