BP3_20100111_Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

“Story Something”

After examining and researching Web 2.0 Tools, it was difficult finding one tool to use with my students, because there were so many that I found to be interesting, and many that I could use with my students. I finally picked one out of several that interests me. “Story Something“ is a website that I could use in many ways with my students, and one that I particularly thought they would enjoy, because it allows them the freedom of creating something that relates to them personally.

I teach high school Computer Applications I. My students are 9^th-12^th graders. This site could very easily be used to integrate across the curriculum. Although “Story Something” is typically for children’s stories, it could be improvised to use with just about any age group.

We begin everyday with a “bell ringer” which is a journal writing assignment posted on the board. It could be a quote, story starter, or writing prompt. Students are asked to respond and explain their explanations. I thought that introducing “Story Something” would be another way to introduce some of the technology tools that students would be excited about. This would be something they could create and be proud of.

I could also, implement this site with several objectives that I teach. Word Processing, PowerPoint, Desktop Publishing could be utilized in creating stories for children and teenagers. Inspiration flow maps, and storyboarding are activities that could be assigned as a means to get the students actively engaged.

My suggestion would be to use real live characters when creating their stories. I would however, allow their stories to be fictional in nature, should they choose to do so. This is how I would present the lesson.

Review: Relate to writing experience, or pertaining to individual life experiences

Focus: introduce storytelling; explain how to create a story using word processing, and/or other software

Teacher Input: Explain, give examples and show a PPT on the “Art of storytelling” demonstrate on the presentation station, how to plan a story by brainstorming, creating a storyboard and a flow chart.

Guided practice: Students will follow teacher’s example to create a story- board and flow chart.

Independent Practice: write a story using word processing.

Conclusion: You have learned to write a story and utilized several tools to assist you with your writing skills. You will create a blog to share your experiences.

This activity could lead to using several other Web 2.0 tools. The possibilities are endless. The opportunities are many. I think that utilizing just about any of these tools provides great educational learning experiences, because it will add to the list of skills that one possesses. It would nurture creativeness, and generate more ideas for continued learning encounters.

Here is the website:

http://www.go2web20.net/app/?a=StorySomething