Thing+14a

Storytelling is a tradition that spans time. It is no surprise that there is now a Web 2.0 way to do it as well! [|Digital Storytelling] gives people the opportunity to "tell their stories" through the use of audio, images and even video. It has some fantsatic applications in education and easily ties into portfolio development and authentic assessments. The [|Center for Digital Storytelling] is just one example of people trying to help others "get their story out". Digital storytelling is the ultimate in Web 2.0 technology. It is participatory, collaborative, and "the people" are the creators. Digital storytelling is grounded in the development of personal stories, and focuses on such **fundamental literacies** as: 1. Writing 2. Visual Literacy 3. Project Management 4. Technical/Computer Literacy

So, alright already... let's check it out and play around! (It's way more fun to play with it than it is to read about it sometimes...) There are many different sites you could use to do digital storytelling (see list in resources), but (for simplicity's sake) we are going to focus on just one: [|VoiceThread]. VoiceThread is an online platform for you to create and share digital storytelling projects. It is very user-friendly and there are a number of educators already blazing the trail for this application.

1. Go to [|VoiceThread] and click on the box labeled "What is a VoiceThread?" (Watch the ensuing program) 2. Go to the [|Educator's Voicethread] page and read all about it... and then 3. Register (at the top on the right) for an account. 4. Create a quick VoiceThread (and share it on your blog!) 5. Blog about the experience and the possible applications for you and/or your students/classroom.
 * Discovery Exercise**

[|Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling] gives a step-by-step process on the "how" and "why" of digital storytelling (especially in education) [|JumpCut] [|Toufee] [|Eyespot] [|Mogopop] [|Mojiti] [|StoryMapping.org] [|Community Walk] [|Wayfaring] [|Dandelife] [|VoicethreadT] The Connected Classroom's work with Digital Storytelling
 * Discovery Resources**

For some ideas on what to do with VoiceThread, check out these examples: Check these examples to see ways that voice thread could be used. (from The Connected Classroom) //Connect people// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=1191 //In lieu of the traditional… Where did you go this summer project.// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=4284 //Students sharing their work// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=1527 //Showcase student learning// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=1149 //Colaborative student project// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=2916 //Explaining & reflecting on a student project Teacher & Student voices—Comic Life// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=2229 //To create a “podcast” with which users can interact// http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=3088

Once you've done this, you will be on the fast track when it comes time to do some Podcasting (Thing 21)!