Thursday, May 19, 2011

Myths and Legends


This site offers a completely free, extremely visual, incredibly simple, multi-media rich digital storytelling development environment that is perfect for students of all ages. Its intuitive user interface is packed with features. Take a look:
storycreator
You’ve got characters and objects, the ability to upload images, text bubbles, scale, rotation & front/back controls, storyboard support, sound effects, and up to 10 “chapters” (pages) per story. There are many, many provided shapes, backgrounds and images. The site loads and responds quickly. It just WORKS! Although it is geared specifically for British myths and legends in terms of content, it could EASILY be used for MANY different subects. Their Teachers Resources section is organized for specific myths and legends but you will quickly see applications for your classroom and curriculum.  If you register your school you will  have the ability to manage class logins and review and approve student work. Brilliant! Check out “Myths and Legends Story Creator 2” today!
Check out some of the student's work....  
Fotobabble

 Fotobabble, create a talking photo.  This free tool  lets users use a photo and make a one minute recording to accompany it. 
The main drawback to it, of course, is that it’s been limited to a one minute recording.
Today, though, Fotobabble announced the ability to string together Fotobabbles in order to create a slideshow. 

 Students could take pictures, or find creative commons images that illustrate vocabulary that they are learning and record themselves saying the definition and using the word in a sentence.  Students could collect and tradeFotobabble vocabulary with other students in the class and embed them in a blog or wiki to create their own visual talking dictionary.  If you teach students younger than 13, have teachers or parent helpers build audio visual dictionaries that can be added to throughout the year.  How neat would it be to have a talking, visual word wall?!  This would be helpful for math, science, social studies, history, and regular vocabulary words that students learn.