Activity 3: Digital Storytelling

After looking at both ZooBurst and StoryBird, I opted for ZooBurst. I liked the more professional look of StoryBird's images, but there was less opportunity for originality. I think the ZooBurst pictures are kind of lame, but easy to add and manipulate. I struggled most with thinking of ways I would want to use this in my teaching. My most "academic" idea would be to give my language arts students a way to publish their own stories and demonstrate their understanding of basic story elements (plot, setting, characters, climax, resolution, denouement, etc). I don't know if I would use this as a way for students to present research information. I know you can import your own photos, but it just doesn't have the sleek look of something like Prezi.

I wanted to take creating my own digital story in a slightly different direction than simply focusing on story elements or presenting information. I decided to write my own story with a moral/lesson embedded. I think that I would use ZooBurst to develop community building in my classroom by having my homeroom kids write their own ZooBurst stories that teach a moral or lesson and then using them in conjunction with Responsive Classroom and our weekly Second Step lessons.