Digital Storytelling Reflection

Pre-production
As I read the book and looked at the sample videos, I will admit I thought the projects were great. I had big plans of fancy projects I would like to do during this class. I was to find out as I went on that I didn’t have enough knowledge, materials or time to do exactly what I had originally set out to do.

Green screen materials and software are two items that are lacking in my school, but are possibly going to be purchased soon.

Backing up your external hard drive is something that you really should do on a regular basis. (Dare I tell you how I know?) I had many, many digital pictures in this device that I still hope to be able to recover during Christmas break. Their loss changed the topic of my final story.

During production
Although I did finish my digital story, the finished piece is very different from what I first attempted to complete. When I hit obstacles, I would repeat the task and often I would be able to figure out where I had gone astray. I also had a colleague that was helpful with advice a few times. One good thing about struggling some in a project is that it helps me remember which steps ultimately were successful.

Post production
Overall, I am pleased with the story, even though there are things I would change if I did it again. One part of the story should have been shortened and another part of the story that was cut during editing, should have been left in. Hindsight makes some things so easy to see for some reason.
I realized yet again, how things that appear very simple and clear are usually much more complex-especially as you are learning them for the first time. This is something I always need to remember as I teach my students new processes.
Now I have a much better idea of what resources are available at my school for use with my students in the future. I also have a specific wish list for hardware and software I would like to request. Working with 5th graders, I feel digital storytelling could be an excellent teaching tool. It is highly motivating, provides an authentic audience and can be utilized for use in many content areas. This has been a good learning experience for me, and I will use many of these skills in my classroom as the school year continues.