Week #5 - Digital Storybook II

Today we further studied and looked at digital storybooks in class. We were able to see a variety of different examples that really helped me understand the whole idea much better and helped me think of different ways to create a storybook. I was picturing a documentary type presentation before today's class whereas now, I see the different ways it can go. We also talked quite a bit about the process into creating a digital storybook and the different methods. One method was to use index cards. Text written on both the front and back of an index card amounts to about 3 min. of dialogue. I was quite surprised because that seems like so little text. "Doc" Waters also offered the method she uses and I really liked the idea. She uses post-it notes and has one for each picture. Then she has a post-it note for the text, music, transition and citations for each picture. I think this is a really easy, yet very organized way of doing it. I also think it is an idea that would be great to introduce to students in the classroom to help them organize their own storybook, a paper, etc. It is visual and very easy to do and re-arrange if necessary. I LOVED this idea!

Other aspects of the storybook we talked about were the use and purpose of photos in a digital storybook creation. The photos should stick out on their own and not need to be narrated. They should be able to tell a compelling story on their own which inspires, haunts or touches the audience. There is a quote that "A picture is worth a thousand words" and in this case, it is true. It was pointed out in class that students learn better when they can visualize something and read text that goes along with a picture, more so than they learn from just hearing a lecture. Digital storybooks allow that kind of opportunity for students to learn "better". And, they are versatile allowing for different purposes, and can be used for any subject matter. I have never done a digital storybook before but am thrilled to be learning how to create my own so I can use this valuable resource in my future classrooms to teach subject material and hopefully to give students the opportunity to use this method to present material.