Reading and Discussion Week 14

"The ability to render one's world as changeable and oneself as an agent able to direct that change is integrally linked to acts of self-representation through writing"

I chose this quote simply for the idea.  I have been trying to teach children for a long time that just because they live where they live, that they grew up in poor conditions, or bad environments that this does not meant that they are doomed to stay in those situations.  You can change not only yourself but the world is such an amazing idea to teach children.  If someone can share their story or their idea and that idea then affects others in a positive way then how wonderful is that?  Many children feel trapped in just being the idea they believe they have in their heads.  As teachers it is our job to give them new ideas to replace the negatives with positives.

1. How does digital storytelling support academic literacies?
This depends on the actual area in which you are focusing.  Reading and Language Arts or English is simple to see as you are asking the children to examine and write about a topic of interest.  Children are asked to do this everyday in these classes, so by using the digital storytelling  you can have them do this in a new and interesting way.  If you are working with history or science being able to find facts at the push of a button is much more interesting than wading through facts.  It allows for so much more creativity by allowing them to decide how they will complete the project.

2. Now that you have created your own digital story, do you think that using images, words and music to create a message is simplistic compared to traditional alphabetic print based argumentation?

I find merit in both, but do feel that the digital story allows for more creativity.  I believe that even though children can create these images and stories if they only do this they could lose the ability to write creatively as well.  Many times with these stories very little writing is involved.  I want children to be as well versed about technology as possible but sometimes I want children to use the greatest gift they have and that is their minds.

3. After creating your own digital story, do you see how digital storytelling can help develop a stronger sense of agency in their own lives? Do you think this might have a positive impact on students academic lives? How? Why?

Yes. I feel that after creating my digital story, I can now see how impactful it can be.  You don't only have to learn how to use the computer program, it can actually be a fun assignment that you have the ability to use your creativity.  I think if you can use this type of assignment to build a students confidence which will help them academically.  If they can create something like this that they have to incorporate so many parts then it will help them see how successful they can be.

References:
Hull, G. (2003). At last: Youth culture and digital media. 229-233. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/docview/215345891

Image:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Q8JQbWx5rt_QCM&tbnid=v3yqlqCw6TpdYM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpics4.this-pic.com%2Fkey%2Fchildren%2520dreaming%2520clip%2520art&ei=DHGbUsXHHozkoASx54DwDg&psig=AFQjCNFexjw7yZ-Ttsb-g4heio__TPyC3w&ust=1386004890097131