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Week Six - Digital Storytelling.

There are now opportunities for teachers to move away from recording events and experiences with text and static images and instead use devices to record experiences and bring them to life. We can use videos to tell stories and share learning with parents, whānau and the community as they are more engaging and dynamic. Learners can also bring their knowledge and ideas to life through acting out and filming their stories or new learning.

Let think about this in a cultural context. When it comes time to assess the learning in the topic of the Treaty of Waitanga instead of a test or getting learners to simply write out what they know, give them the opportunity to write a script and act out what occurred. Once the learners have written their scripts and practices they could film and then edit their video meaning the learners have more flexibility about the location of their video and the props available. Instead of using a small space at the front of the room, the whole school becomes their stage and the learners can tailor their surroundings to the story.

As well as using digital tools to share learning, students can also use digital tools to record experiences so they can trigger their memory later when they want to record it. During a placement I made oobleck with my learners. They learners were working in groups and made one out of two possible types of oobleck then the groups swapped over and spent time experimenting with the already made oobleck to decide which was more like oobleck. Apart from a few photographs there was no record of the experience, imagine the increased and ongoing engagement that would be present if the learners were able to watch their experience again later.

Its time to use the tools around us to record moments that we may otherwise miss. Lets share learning in a way that can bring parents and whānau into the classroom and alongside their learners.

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