Thing #3 Plan, Organize and Synthesize Your Information

You are at the point in your project where you need to bring the information you found and evaluated together and begin organizing it for the format you have selected to use.

You may create a PhotoStory or an iMovie. If you select to use PhotoStory and you want to add video, you will have to upload your PhotoStory into Windows MovieMaker. All three of these programs are loaded on the district computers.

If you choose to use a personal PC computer and do not already have access to PhotoStory or MovieMaker, they are easy to add. iMovie should already be on your personal Macbook if you have one.

Putting information in order for an online project is accomplished by using a storyboard technique. This procedure is similar to outlining a traditional written assignment. You decide what information is grouped together and what pieces come first, second, third, etc.

As an educator, you have experienced the 5-paragraph paper idea. One paragraph introduces what information you are going to share, 3 paragraphs describe in detail what information you share, and the final paragraph reminds the reader what information you just shared. This idea can be translated into a storyboard. You decide how many slides you need to use to organize and tell your story.

Read these articles for background information and ideas:
What is a Storyboard?
How Do Students Create Excellent Storyboards in Simple Steps?

Choose one of these storyboard templates below and outline your project.
Paper templates are perfectly acceptable tools to use for this activity.

Simple Storyboard on paper - book passage project from TimeforKids.com. Can be adapted for other subjects
Kids' Vid Storyboard form - online group storyboard. Must register.
Storyboard Templates - dozens of templates that can be printed
Digital Storytelling Storyboard Template
Digitales Storyboard Template For original content: template for original shot order

How about using PowerPoint screens to "storyboard" your project? Scribble your ideas in PPT screens using PPT tools like boxes and autoshapes to represent your content. Add notes with text boxes. You can easily rearrange the screens as your ideas change.

For you Thing #3 blog post:

1. Share your storyboard for your project. (If possible, digitize a paper copy.)

2. Explain which storyboard template or technique will work best with your students.

3. What benefits will there be if students use storyboards in creating projects?

Your information has been gathered, your plans drawn up...now go create!

Credits:

Plans - Microsoft Clipart IN00702_.wmf

Lightbulb - Microsoft Clipart j0441397.png

Thing #4 Create New Information

It is now time to build your project. Take your storyboard and turn it into the "real" product.

As mentioned before, you may use either PhotoStory or iMovie to create your piece.

Although PhotoStory3 can not accept video clips, you can add your completed story to Windows MovieMaker and add other video there. The program is already loaded on SBISD district computers if you choose to use it. Tutorials are available here, here and here.

If you choose to create your project in iMovie, you can add video from the Flip camera or other digital movies to your project. If you want to add YouTube video clips to your project, you will have to convert the video to the mp4 format that iMovie uses. You may already be familiar with the conversion program Zamzar and it will convert YouTube video (up to 100 MB) so it may be used in iMovie.

No two projects will be the same. The fun will be in the differences and the creativity!

Remember:
1. Use copy-friendly images and music.
If you need help locating these types of resources, look on the Curriculum Wiki .
2. Cite your resources. A slide at the end would probably be the easiest for this project, but when working with students, you may want to use another format such as a paper form.
3. Save your project in the format that allows it to be shared...and in any format that allows for editing.

After completing your project, show it to fresh eyes. Share it with a member of your PLN.

For your Thing #4 Post:

1. Briefly describe what the creation process was like. Were there bumps along the way? Did it come out like you wanted?

2.What did the "pair of fresh eyes" suggest to you about your project. What were the high points for your reviewer?

Dance a jig, shout hip-hip-hooray, pat yourself on the back!

Your "birdhouse" of a project is complete. Now go let the world see your masterpiece!



Credits:

Big Huge Labs mosaic created using Flickr Creative Commons photos

by brad.rourke, howieluvzus, Urban Woodswalker , peapodsquadmom, phoenix wolf-ray, Wonderlane, Angela K. Severn, R. Clock, nicocrisafulli, OliBac, Dendroica cerulea, dave_stone, pocketwiley