Top Five Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling is a great way to model lessons or to let students to practice literacy skills independently. Below are some of my tried tested and true sites.
1)
Bitstrips for Schools -
http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/
Summary: Bitstrips for Schools is an excellent site that is engaging and fun to use. Students create their own avatar and then put themselves in a comic. They can also create other characters and submit their entries to the teacher electronically. Teachers can also share different lessons.
How to use it: Independent
Great as an alternative book report and other comprehension lessons. Use lessons shared by other teachers for all subjects.
Grades: 3-8 English or French
Note: All Ontario teachers have access to the site. Teachers have full access to all comics created by students and have full control over passwords and sharing abilities.
2) Tell-a-Story http://kidsspace.torontopubliclibrary.ca/story.html
Summary: Students can create their own pages using existing characters. Text and speech can be added by the student.
How to use it:
Independent
This site is best used if students have their own computer and have their own time to edit and play around with the story.
Grades: 3-5 English or French
3) Storybird -
http://storybird.com/
Summary: Get inspired by artists and create your own story using pictures provided.
How to use it: Model / Shared/ Independent
Some students need a little help releasing the creative storytelling juices. Choose a set of pictures and let the imaginations run wild with endless possibilities.
Grades: 3-8 English or French
Note: Why not try using it as a drama activity like Reader's Theaters afterwards.
4) Garfield Comic Strip Creator -
http://www.garfield.com/fungames/comiccreator.html
Summary: Have students create their own Garfield comic. Students can choose between one to three panels to create their story.
How to use it: Independent
Have students work in partners or by themselves to create simple short comics that are easy to read.
Grade: 2-4
5) My Story Maker -
http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/storymaker/
Summary: My Story Maker lets students create their own story by click on actions for the characters. Sentences will match the actions the students choose.
How to use it: Independent
Students can read along with the actions they have chosen to increase vocabulary and fluency. The story will then be published as a PDF.
Grade: 1-3 English
Note: The book is not movie file so actions created by the student will not appear in the final product - only screen shots of their work.
