Because the language of technology is an integral part of students' lives, it must also be part of our own...even we immigrants to 21st Century Skills. The language of technology still sounds foreign to me, but I am learning to understand and communicate with it.
Recently, I made my first movie with Windows Movie Maker and my first digital story with Photo Story 3. What amazed me most about these projects, outside of the multimedia I could use to express my ideas, was the process I used as a writer to create them. Through images, movement, and music I was finally able to "write" a piece that has been germinating in my writer's notebook for a few years, that of the seeds planted in my life by my grandparents.
Editing and revising, the work of a writer, turned into an interactive experience. I was able to manipulate the images; focusing in on portions I wanted to highlight. I changed the color, tone, and characteristics of the images to create mood and unify my project. I easily changed the order and deleted images to add impact and order to my work. More powerful was the sound of my own voice telling the story over music chosen specifically to support the story. A rewarding experience even if I was the only audience to see it. Still, knowing that others would be viewing it, I was very motivated as a writer and wanted my "readers" to understand what I was trying to communicate.
In my writer's notebook, I write with a green gel pen on lined pages. Now, with the integration of technology, those green words and ideas have a chance to grow into something others can connect to. Beautiful!
Recently, I made my first movie with Windows Movie Maker and my first digital story with Photo Story 3. What amazed me most about these projects, outside of the multimedia I could use to express my ideas, was the process I used as a writer to create them. Through images, movement, and music I was finally able to "write" a piece that has been germinating in my writer's notebook for a few years, that of the seeds planted in my life by my grandparents.
Editing and revising, the work of a writer, turned into an interactive experience. I was able to manipulate the images; focusing in on portions I wanted to highlight. I changed the color, tone, and characteristics of the images to create mood and unify my project. I easily changed the order and deleted images to add impact and order to my work. More powerful was the sound of my own voice telling the story over music chosen specifically to support the story. A rewarding experience even if I was the only audience to see it. Still, knowing that others would be viewing it, I was very motivated as a writer and wanted my "readers" to understand what I was trying to communicate.
In my writer's notebook, I write with a green gel pen on lined pages. Now, with the integration of technology, those green words and ideas have a chance to grow into something others can connect to. Beautiful!
I love this; you are the new Ken Burns! ;) As you were narrating, I was thinking about all the work that I have done outside on the garden this week and how happy that has made me. I hope you do more of these.
ReplyDeleteIt must come from your great-grandpa and grandma! Thank you for making the very first post to my new blog, sweetie. Glad it was you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jan!
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks great... I love how you have totally embraced the 21st century skills we are learning about in class, and that you posted your digital story to your blog. I may steal that idea, if that's okay with you :)
The amazing potential of technology has certainly changed the way we can communicate our thoughts and ideas. What a powerful tool it is that combines text, images, and audio into a video package that is accessible online! Yet I agree with you that the ability to write first and foremost, then to edit and revise, is a packet of skills that is crucial in the development of our students as global communicators. We must empower them to thoughtfully express themselves in multiple ways. As teachers, we must be able to personally accomplish this as well.
Debby
Well said, Debby! I have appreciated your encouragement all along this process toward embracing (good word!) 21st Century Skills. Of course you can "steal" this idea. Don't most of our good ideas come from our fellow educators?
ReplyDeleteJan
I saw this video on my blog, and I just loved it. My teacher also liked it a lot. I think it is really cool that you can make a movie. I have no idea how to.
ReplyDelete