Storytelling: It’s Digital!

Erica Boswell, Leah Goodnoe, Jean Martin, Barry Thibault

October 25, 2009

Introduction

Under the direction of Dr. Danilo Baylen at the University of West Georgia, Techy

Teachers, a collaborative learning group, have constructed a workshop to demonstrate the

effective use of Windows Movie Maker and other digital storytelling technology in the

secondary classroom. The workshop will include the opportunity to learn about and practice

using Movie Maker. Our hopes are that, through the completion of this workshop, secondary

educators will have a digital story to utilize in their own classrooms.

Overview

Title

Storytelling: It’s Digital!

Goals

Through completion of this professional learning opportunity, participants will learn

how to use Windows Movie Maker to create resources to use in their classrooms.

Objectives

In this workshop, participants will learn how to use a program that is already located

on the desktops of their computers. Windows Movie Maker can be used in many ways to

create digital stories. This workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn and

develop their Movie Maker computer skills. It will also expose participants to digital stories

that have already been created and show them how diverse digital stories can be. 

Participants will be given the opportunity to create their very own – classroom usable –digital

story through the use of Movie Maker.  Assistants will be on site to help aid participants

throughout the entire process.  By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained

knowledge, inquired and made conclusions about Movie Maker, and will be able to apply this

knowledge to new situations or to create new knowledge for others.

Rationale

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The multimedia software, Windows Movie Maker, is readily available on most

computers. It offers users the chance to create their own movies for personal, as well as

professional, use. The program utilizes photographs, video clips, sound clips, and the user’s

own entered text to create an interactive resource. The uses of Windows Movie Maker are

endless. From personal pictorial slideshows to an entire classroom learning resource, Movie

Maker offers the user ample opportunities for use. Through the use of video clips, still

images, and sound, teachers can offer their students an awesome resource for learning.

Teachers can also use this program as an assessment resource for allowing students to

show what they have learned.

This Digital Storytelling workshop is intended as a resource for helping teachers learn

how to use Movie Maker in the classroom. Through completion of this workshop, the

participants will be able to create multimedia presentations to use in their classrooms.

Participants will develop a level of comfort with the program and learn to fulfill the state and

national technology standards.

Prerequisites

The participant does not need a previous knowledge of Movie Maker; participants

only need a basic knowledge of computers and digital formats and a desire to increase their

level of technology usage in the classroom. During the workshop, participants will develop

their own digital storytelling example to use in the classroom. Those comfortable with Movie

Maker can assist those who are not. All participants will be learning and producing a digital

storytelling example together. Participants may wish to come prepared with images, videos,

or links. If a participant needs access to copyright free sound or image clips, they can be

viewed here: http://integratingtechnology1.blogspot.com/2009/10/movie-maker-

resources.html.

Resources

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In order for the participants to gain the most from the digital storytelling workshop,

each participant will need to be able to comfortably see a presentation board with internet

capabilities (ie: ActiveBoard, Smartboard, LCD computer projector, etc.) in a whole group

setting. For small group work, one computer for every three participants is recommended in

order to offer an opportunity for each participant to have access to the technology. Each

computer will need Movie Maker installed, and it would be beneficial if each computer had

internet access. If the computer needs an updated version of Movie Maker, it can be

downloaded at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/Movie

Maker2.mspx. The four workshop providers will be available to assist teachers in the

development of their digital storytelling example. This hands-on structure will accelerate the

learning of the technology and the creation of a project example that will be usable in the

classroom.

Examples created by Techy Teachers:

Leah Doughman:  http://integratingtechnology1.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-digital-story.html

“I Am Poems” explains and demonstrates the use of an I Am poem. This type of poem offers the writer a 

skeleton or format of a poem. The meat of the poem is to be filled in by the writer. The poem can be 

formatted to fit any subject. It can be used to describe a math concept (some modifications may have to 

be made) or to describe a character from a book. The instructor can add to the format or take certain 

aspects out of the outline; it depends on your students (age, grade, etc.) Use your imagination with the 

format and the possibilities are endless.

Jean Martin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsF2SJhav9s

“The State of Georgia: Location, Regions, and Selected Symbols” is an overview of the five

regions of Georgia, showing the varied landforms from the Mountain Regions to the Coastal

Plains. It also includes a number of symbols of the state of Georgia. It contains both science

and social studies vocabulary and content and was developed as an opening presentation to

studying either science or social studies standards on Georgia.

Barry Thibault: http://stu.westga.edu/~bthibau1/MEDT7476_MovieProject_BDT.wmv

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“Technology in Today’s Classroom” deals with the technology found in many classrooms,

including those used by teachers and students. Creating videos with Windows’ Movie Maker

can help keep instruction fun and educational in my theater class. The movies created with

this software can also be used to display student work at a kiosk or presented at a PTSA

event. Eventually, classes could present a movie before a performance of a play showing the

behind-the-scenes work that was put into the final production. The desired outcome for

using video projects in the classroom could include a communication tool for expressing

information and ideas to multiple audiences. This would be a fun activity for all school aged

children with a desire to learn through creativity.

Processes

The workshop will be conducted in four phases:

Phase 1:

Introduction of Movie Maker to the participants; overview of the “how-to’s” of the program

Phase 2:

Group presentation of Movie Maker examples

Phase 3:

Individual Movie Maker work time

Phase 4:

Save and share Movie Maker creations; participants will be given the chance to save digital

storytelling examples to take with them to their own classrooms

Storytelling: It’s Digital! Workshop Schedule

5:30 PM: Large central presentation room setup is complete and available for participants

to take a seat, boot up the computers, and ensure that Movie Maker is working properly on

each computer. Computers should also have access to the internet. If participants have

brought their own images, videos, or sound clips, they should use this time to ensure that all

will work properly.

5:40 PM: Whole group session begins. During Phase 1, the presenters will discuss how to

create a presentation in Movie Maker. Participants will learn how to import images, video

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clips, and sound clips. They will also be instructed in the various effects and transitions

available in the program. They will also be instructed in how to publish the movies.

6:10 PM: During Phase 2, the presenters will demonstrate examples in various subject

areas.

6:30 PM: During Phase 3, the participants will be given an opportunity to work with groups

of three to prepare Movie Maker presentations. They should use this opportunity to ensure

that they have knowledge of how to insert images, videos, and sound clips into the digital

storytelling example.

7:30 PM: During Phase 4, the participants will save and share their digital storytelling

examples. Participants will be given the chance to share resources with each other.

7:55 PM: Once participants have had a chance to view and save any examples they wish,

they will complete the online survey. If the internet is unavailable or the survey will not load

properly, a paper version will be available. Participants will ensure that all images, videos,

and sounds have been removed from their workstation and will shut down the workstations.

8:00 PM: Participants will depart.

Feedback

Participants will evaluate the quality of this workshop and its relevance to their

instruction through an on-line workshop evaluation. This tool is available to preview

at: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?

formkey=dEFvTHBGR25oT2h4ZXoxZy1Vc05YU3c6MA. Before participants leave the

workshop, each will complete the on-line evaluation. The results will be compiled through

an automated process and be available to the workshop sponsor that same day.

Expertise

Erica Boswell is the fourth project leader for the MEDT 7464

group Techy Teachers. Mrs. Boswell is a first-year student at

the University of West Georgia, working towards her Specialist

Degree in Instructional Technology. She completed her

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Bachelors (2003) and Masters (2004) Degrees in Middle Grades Education at the University

of Georgia. Mrs. Boswell is currently in her sixth year of teaching math at Winder-Barrow

Middle School in Barrow County, Georgia. In addition to teaching eighth grade math and

language arts, she serves as the grade level and school wide math chairperson, sits on the

leadership team, and coaches track.

Conclusion

The Techy Teachers collaborative group believes that the workshop outlined in this

document will be an effective professional development experience for all educators in the

secondary levels. Movie Maker provides a learning experience and an opportunity for

educators to collaborate with their colleagues while integrating new technology with

differentiated instruction. The presenters hope that after the participants have a positive

experience in this digital storytelling workshop, they will leave with the knowledge of a

resource that can be used with any classroom discipline or curricular standard. As a result of

this workshop, the participants will be able to return to their classroom and provide a

resource for their students to view learning in an engaging and interesting way.

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Additional Resources

Workshop Flyer

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Participant Handout with Movie Maker Instructions

The PowerPoint presentation being used, including step-by-step directions for Movie Maker,

can be viewed ahead of time. These directions can also be accessed as a word document, 

prepared for easy printing.

Electronic Survey Form

The participants will fill out an online survey upon conclusion of the workshop. This will allow

the presenters the opportunity to receive immediate feedback regarding the successes and

weaknesses of the workshop. An electronic version of the survey can be found here:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?

formkey=dEFvTHBGR25oT2h4ZXoxZy1Vc05YU3c6MA. This survey can also be accessed as a

word document.

Techy Teacher Blog

As a resource for their continued professional development, the Techy Teachers have

created a blog to document their technological growth. Information on their other workshop

plans can be found on their blog. This blog can be accessed at:

http://integratingtechnology1.blogspot.com/

Rubric for Assessment of Student Work

A sample rubric for the assessment of student work, created using RubiStar, is provided for

all participants.

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