This document discusses how digital storytelling and dynamic media can be used to promote understanding in the classroom. It begins by outlining four essential questions about how these tools can be integrated and implemented successfully, especially in early elementary grades. Examples are provided of how Lois Craig Elementary currently uses technology. The document then discusses concepts like digital story rubrics, Nevada's first grade social studies standards, and buzz words related to digital storytelling and dynamic media. Tips and resources are provided for educators looking to get started with these tools in their own classrooms.

1. Using digital storytelling and dynamic media to promote the development of understanding Oh no! Anything digital is so scary! Joel Marquis ELL Specialist-First Grade Teacher Lois Craig Elementary School North Las Vegas, Nevada

2. Essential Questions: 2 Our treasure hunt for digital knowledge begins with four essential questions that beg to be answered.

3. Essential Questions: 3 How can the use of digital storytelling and dynamic media promote the development of understanding in the classroom? How can digital storytelling and dynamic media be integrated into the classroom in order to promote understanding?

4. Essential Questions: 4 How do educators assist other educators who are not technologically proficient in incorporating digital storytelling and dynamic media in their classrooms? How are digital storytelling and dynamic media most successfully implemented in early elementary (K-2) grades?

5. Lois Craig Elementary School 2637 East Gowan Road North Las Vegas, NV 89030 870 Students Grades K-5 77% Hispanic 18% Black/African American 4% White 85% Free or Reduced Lunch AYP Designation: Year 6 In Needs of Improvement http://schools.ccsd.net/craig/index.html

6. Curriculum

7. EnVision Mathematics Harcourt Trophies (Language Arts) Write From the Beginning (Writing) Foss (Science)

8. Lois Craig is Rich in Technology All classrooms have smart-boards, Elmos, and multiple computers. We have one large computer lab with new computers. We need more digital cameras, scanners and microphones

9. Digital Story Rubric

10. What combination of services and qualities make for a great community? Click to watch digital story.

11. Nevada’s First Grade Social Studies Standards H1.1.2 Listen to stories that reflect the beliefs, customs, ceremonies, and traditions of the varied cultures in the neighborhood. H1.1.3 Listen to histories of important local landmarks that create a sense of community among H3.1.1 Describe the neighborhood around their school. H3.1.3 Identify and describe occupations in the community that help people, i.e., police officers, fire fighters, and nurses. H3.1.4 Demonstrate respect for each other and people in the neighborhood. G5.1.5 Visually display geographic information using simple lists, graphs, and maps. G6.1.2 Identify similarities and differences between people in the community. G7.1.2 Explain that some people live in locations other than where they were born. G8.1.2 Identify locations for accessing basic resources available to the student, i.e., food, water.

12. What are buzz words in dynamic media and digital storytelling?

13. Dynamic Media What is Dynamic Media? Digital Media are dynamic rather than static. The distinction is so important that we have begun using the term dynamic media to refer to their use. The dynamic quality of digital media goes beyond the ability to revise and remix, and its fluid nature allows it to be easily shared. T (Dynamic Media, 2009) exp allows the author to further express his or her story in a digital medium. Just as a playwright tells his or her story on a stage, or a writer creates a story to be told on film, digital storytelling is an extension of the writing process. Dynamic Media enhances any lesson. Start slow, and gradually add more to see student success! For more information about using web 2.0 in the classroom read this informative article. http://www.citejournal.org/vol8/iss2/editorial/article1.cfm

14. You may be using dynamic media already.

15. Digital Storytelling What is digital storytelling? Digital Storytelling applies computer-based tools to traditional storytelling using images, music, video, text, and narration to express a point of view. Rooted in the foundation of the storytelling process, digital storytelling allows the author to further express his or her story in a digital medium. Just as a playwright tells his or her story on a stage, or a writer creates a story to be told on film, digital storytelling is an extension of the writing process. - http://hubforteachers.com/taking-it-digital/index.cfm Click links to view stand out examples of digital stories. http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/movie_art_05.html http://www.storycenter.org/stories/index.php?cat=8 Digital Storytelling is easy! Photo Story 3 is a simple, fun, and FREE program. My students love it! Download from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/default.aspx Photo Story 3 is great for young kids! It’s so easy!

16. Are Digital Stories too Difficult for Younger Children and People not Familiar with Computers? From the beginning writer to the advanced storyteller, if a student has a story to tell, he/she can create a digital story. To assist with digital storytelling, there are many computer-based tools available that range in technical complexity. - http://hubforteachers.com/taking-it-digital/index.cfm

17. Essential Questions What is an essential question? An essential question is – well, essential: important, vital, at the heart of the matter – the essence of the issue. Think of questions in your life that fit this definition – but don’t just yet think about it like a teacher; consider the question as a thoughtful adult. What kinds of questions come to mind? What is a question that any thoughtful and intellectually-alive person ponders and should keep pondering? (What is an essential question, 2007) Essential Questions lead the lesson, and encourage exploration, deep thought, and expertise!

18. A question is essential when it: causes genuine and relevant inquiry into the big ideas and core content; provokes deep thought, lively discussion, sustained inquiry, and new understanding as well as more questions; requires students to consider alternatives, weigh evidence, support their ideas, and justify their answers; stimulates vital, on-going rethinking of big ideas, assumptions, and prior lessons; sparks meaningful connections with prior learning and personal experiences; naturally recurs, creating opportunities for transfer to other situations and subjects. (What is an essential question, 2007)

19. Increase Student Understanding with Digital Storytelling and Dynamic Media Get your students to the top of the pyramid!!!

20. To Create you must be able to: Know Understand Apply Analyze Evaluate “When first I heard the expression ‘digital storytelling’ I understood it to refer to fictional writing. At the time I believe it did but now it covers all manner of writing and what have we always got our children to do to demonstrate learning? Retell what they have been taught. This doesn’t necessarily move us far along Bloom’s Taxonomy so what’s the alternative? Anderson and Krathwohl (2001) have presented a reworking of Bloom that is suited to an age where material is deconstructed and reconstructed i.e. mashed. Creating, that 21 century skill, is at the apex.” -Rob Ellishttp://www.icttalk.co.uk/digitalstorytelling

21. Dynamic Media Keeps Students Near the Top of Bloom’s Pyramid Students who Remix, Comment, Like, Mash-up, Create Video, and Social Network must… …Analyze, Evaluate, and Create!

22. How do I get started? Make sure you have everything you need. David Jakes’ website should help. http://www.jakesonline.org/tools.htm Follow a tried and true plan. David Jakes to the rescue again! http://www.jakesonline.org/dstory_ice.pdf Create a rubric http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/rubrics.html Have Fun!

23. ISTE NETS Standards 1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues d. identify trends and forecast possibilities I only wish I could choose them all! 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students: a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions

24. Digital Story Citations Retrieved from http://www.aaroads.com/license_plates/california.htm Retrieved from http://www.ahrensadventures.com Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/5029439883/ Retrieved from http://foreclosurenv.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/eighty-percent-of-north-las-vegas-underwater/ Isaac, C. (1995). Forever blue . On Forever blue [CD]. Burbank, CA: Reprise Records. (1995) Retrieved from http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_fbc14381-f334-55c6-bf47-e7a398362ede.html Retrieved from http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32815-d540776-Reviews-Harbor_Fish_and_Chips-Oceanside_California.html

25. Presentation Citations Anderson, L W, & Krathwohl D R (eds.) (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York: Longman Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ed/new_blooms.htm Bull, G, & Garofalo, J (Feb 2009)Dynamic Media: connected classroom. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/moodle/file.php/3117/docs/bull_dynamic_media.pdf Bull, G., Thompson, A., Searson, M., Garofalo, J., Park, J., Young, C., & Lee, J (2008). Connecting informal and formal learning: Experiences in the age of participatory media. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 8(2), 100-107. Digital storytelling. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.icttalk.co.uk/digitalstorytelling Retrieved from http://hubforteachers.com/taking-it-digital/index.cfm Jakes, D. (2005). Getting started. Retrieved November 17, 2009, from http://www.jakesonline.org/started.htm Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2009). P21 Framework Definitions Document. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/p21_framework_definitions_052909.pdf Retrieved from http://schools.ccsd.net/craig/index.html The University of Houston. (2008). Educational uses of digital storytelling: Rubrics. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/rubrics.htm Wiggins, G. (Nov. 2007) What is an essential question. Retrieved from http://www.authenticeducation.org/bigideas/article.lasso?artId=53