Digital Story Reflection

For my video, I used the basis of having a hero. In my video I explained that my brother Jason is my hero for serving in the military to defend us. I used images and a song to convey more meaning.

My Hero on PhotoPeach



Telling a digital story may be useful for teaching because it is more interesting and intriguing that normal lecture or worksheet instructions. An assignment can be introduced in a fun way, so that maybe the students will be more excited to complete the assignment. The music and pictures will captivate them making the assignment or project seem more fun or entertaining. This is also a great way to introduce a topic because a background story can be told. With digital story, the teacher could provide a fun story leading into the new unit or assignment. For example with my video, it would be a perfect introduction if I were to plan a hero based assignment. The video provides an example of who a hero could and be and example of why. Leading into an assginment, the digital story could ultimately be a fun way to introduce the unit or a fun way to prove instructions on what to do.

This may be useful for a student to do story telling this way because it allows the opportunity for creativity. The students could choose a medium to use, choose the images, and even pick a song to incorporate. They have so many options how to construct the story, so it makes it more fun since they are not being told what to do. This may also be useful because it integreates technology. I remember in elementary every year we would get a hard coverbook, where we had to construct a story based on a topic given to us. It was very exciting because it was like a real book, yet digital story telling provides so many more opportunities. With technology, there are a lot more tools and mediums to use. It is so much more broad than the paper and pencial method. Using technology to tell a story also gets the students knowledge with technology. So many times students are forced to use a pencil paper method, so as time goes on students are clueless with a lot of programs in technology. Yet if fun and convenient methods like digital story telling is introduced, then the students may feel more comfortable with technology. I know if I would have done things like this in school, I may feel more comfortable with a computer or the internet.

For the tool that I used (photopeach), I really liked it for the most part. One thing I liked was that it was very easy to use. The pictures uploaded in seconds, and there were step by step instructions. I also liked the options for adding music to the show. There weren't a set list of songs to use, instead you could search youtube or even upload a song you have on your computer. I really enjoyed that aspect because I had a song picked out, but wasn't sure if I would be able to use it. Another aspect I enjoyed was that after I finished, I was able to go back in and edit the captions. I made some spelling mistakes after I had pressed finished, so it was nice to be able to go back in and edit without having to redo it all. Although I really enjoyed photopeach, I found that there was one thing i got frustrated with. I had to remake my video 3 times! Although we were allowed to edit captions, nothing else could be changed (at least from what I could figure out). I ended up changing the title, song, and order of pictures which in all I had to redo the video. I may be able to blame it on my lack of planning intensively, but there were somethings that I just didn't think about until I watched the finished video.

Overall I really enjoyed making the digital story and the tool that I chose to use. This would provide a unique expereince to the classroom and I cannot wait to try it out!