Sunday, November 15, 2009

7th Grader's Sample Photo Story 3

Below is a sample of a Photo Story 3 video created by a 7th grader (Lauren) using Photo Story 3 for the first time. The video was created as one part of a unit in the social studies curriculum on the American Revolution. Within the unit of study, students were to assume the role of an American Revolution War figure and create a presentation from that figure's point of view. Students were required to include in their presentations specific points, for example, factual information about the various battles and background on the War. Students had the option of using PowerPoint, Photo Story 3, MovieMaker, or iMovie for the project. The teacher recommended Photo Story 3 for those who felt competent with PowerPoint but were not quite ready to use MovieMaker or iMovie. The teacher used a rubric with numerous component parts to evaluate the final project and required that students submit a written copy of their narration and a complete bibliography showing all sources used and where they were used in the presentation.




Let us know what you think of this use of Photo Story 3 to complement the social studies curriculum. To what extent do you think the creation of the video contributed to enduring understanding, long-term learning of concepts central to the curriculum?

7 comments:

Jess K said...

What an interesting video! She really captured viewer attention and was able to display her enduring understanding of the concepts of the time.
Just looking at this gets me thinking. Some teachers have such a hard time fitting ALL of the standards and facts into the curriculum. How interesting if each student is able to focus on something specific, like in this video, and capture the classes interest so that everyone is still able to understand the concepts being taught and share the information of wealth with one another. This teacher did an excellent job with assigning this activity to her students.

Liz R. said...

What a great way for students to apply their knowledge of history and to personalize this knowledge by role playing a historical figure while using technology. I like how the teacher gave students choices in product based on their own prior use of technology and I absolutely loved how the teacher found a way to cover a wide scope of curriculum through the eyes of various historical figures. It is also a great way for students to consider the perspectives or viewpoints of historical figures to help them to synthesize this information with their original opinions on the Wars. Kudos to Lauren and her teacher!

Kim G said...

I agree with both Jess and Liz. This video project was pretty cool. The student clearly demonstrated her understanding of the Revolutionary War and the events that led up to it. I also like how the teacher gave students options for the project. This program seems to be a great way to differentiate for all learners depending on their use of technology. I could see using this in my classroom with some fourth graders. It would be great for both science units and our social studies unit on Explorers.

Caitlin said...

I think that this is great! As a future social studies teacher, I am always looking for ways to bring history alive...and this surley does it! I think that this tool really gets kids involved, is an authentic assessment of learning, and allows kids to use their technological skills in a new way. I think that this is especially cool to use in middle school because kids of that age are always interested in new ways to do the same old things. I will definiatly look into photostory for my future teaching!

Amy said...

This is such an amazing way for students to express their knowledge about a particular event in history. It not only refers to the specific time period, it promotes the present as well. It connects the present by incorporating the technology and the past with all the data and research found on the topic.
Watching this video, I could not help but think of Bloom's Taxonomy. This project allows students to interpret the historical time in a way in which they will remember it. Rather than teachers teaching this topic through a textbook and lecturing, the students are actively engaged in the study.

I am extremely impressed by how much work went into the photo story. A rubric is a great idea for evaluating a project like this. You can definitely align this to the curriculum standards. I was never to fond of History or Social Studies class. However, if I was able to do something like this in my seventh grade class, I would have gained a lot more knowledge of historical events.

Ashley said...

I liked the idea of using Photo Story to enhance the social studies curriculum. I agree with Amy in that this helps students to use higher leveled thinking. This project assesses students through an interaction project that makes them think outside the box. This project can also be easily aligned to the standards as well as any social studies curriculum. I enjoyed the way the project flowed and allowed non-history majors to capture the information in a visual way. This project also demonstrates an understanding for all learners as this could be used for special education students as well. Overall, a great project and I’d love to do something like this in my classroom.

Diana Coyne said...

The first time I was exposed to Photo Story 3 was in my Computers in Education Class 2 nights ago. I found it really interesting and a creative option for students to share the information they have learned. I liked it a lot better than powerpoint because it allowed the student to really "become" the person they were speaking about if they wanted to. I loved the idea that you could literally speak as the person you researched, I think this embraces a higher level of Bloom's and would be really engaging for my higher level students. I also loved the idea of how much this project could be differentiated. I was thinking about ways I could use it in my student teaching this summer in an out placement Special Education school. I was thinking that the students could dress up as a character from the Colonial time period, take pictures, say a few facts about what life was like and then combine each individual presentation into a whole class photo story. I think this would be even better then a "live presentation" because it allows them more time and less pressure to say their facts, and they can redo it if they are not happy. Also, then they can jigsaw some of the material since they would each be responsible for a different part, and we can watch it as many times as we want! I can't wait to use Photo Story in my 6th grade social studies classroom and also in my Special Education student teaching!

Blog Archive

Contributors