Gaming in my Classroom

This term I set out to experiment and do something that is quite different for me.  I decided to introduce some gaming time into my classroom time.  I was unsure whether it would be of value or whether it had a place in the classroom.  However I wanted to try it out.

I had heard of Gamestar Mechanic from Kevin Hodgson, a teacher in the USA, who has implemented it in his classroom, I had read his blog and it enticed me into exploring Gamestar.  During my sabbatical term I started out on the first quest and began to find out what it was all about.  One thing I like about Gamestar Mechanic is that there is no need to download anything onto a server.  We started off as a free classroom, but once students completed the first Quest, I upgraded them at a cost of $2 (US), per student.

Kevin had used it as a part of digital storytelling in his classroom and this is what I wanted to do too. However I am not quite as adept at game playing as he is, so I relied heavily on what he did.  Still unsure about it, I asked him to skype our classroom and tell us about the storyboarding part of it.  This he did and you can read about his visit here and access the links he has to what happened in his room.

After he had spoken to us I again explored those links, looked at the storyboarding and finally felt I was ready for my class to start this part of the unit.  His skype call gave me the confidence to keep on moving into the completion of the unit.

Today I asked my class what they thought was the learning involved in a site such as Gamestar. This is what they shared:

• During the Quest we were learning about game design, the components, the mechanics, the rules, the points, and how a game has to be balanced.
• We were unlocking components that we would be able to use when designing our own games.
• While doing the quest we had to develop strategies, it involved thinking and problem solving.
• We needed to be patient, we needed to persevere.
• We experienced challenge and eventual success.
• We were reading and following instructions.
• Hand/eye coordination has to be good.  (I am not very good at that part!!)
• We are called on to be creative, as we have to create our own games.
• We are writing - a storyboard, comments on others games - giving them feedback.
• There is lots of helping going on, we are communicating and cooperating.

At the moment my students are putting their storyboards together, some of them are ready to start building their games.  I am hoping we will manage to complete them before the holidays swoop down on us.  It is actually a great unit to be doing at this time of year, when often energy flags.  The students  and myself are finding this highly engaging.  Often in the morning I am seeking their help with my failed efforts of the night before! Great for their self esteem. Actually one of my students who struggles with many aspects of learning was delighted to tutor me this morning!  I think he may know some of the despair teachers experience when they tutor those who 'just don't get it' very quickly!

I am coming to the opinion that this does have a valid place in the classroom. It has linked nicely into what we have already done this year. It is also another social media site really, where the students can interact and comment.  Next year I will most likely include it and see where we can go on from here.

Digital Storytelling in Class

This term I have been trialling a little digital storytelling, using a green screen.  I had read Digital Storytelling in the Classroom by Jason Ohler and also read and viewed some of his work on his website.

Firstly we explored planning and writing a story using Jason Ohler's idea for story planning, using a visual portrait of a story.  Students then drafted their story, edited it and then chose pictures from flickrcc, gathering attributions as they went,  or drew their own background drawings.

They then read their story in front of a green screen while a classmate filmed it.  We just did not have the time for students to 'tell' their story, reading was an option that allowed us to move through to some completion.  However at another time we might go for this option.

Students are still in the process of gathering pictures, filming and editing.  We only have the one computer to edit on, using Adobe Premier Elements 10.  This is their first time using this software, so once one student has finished editing they guide the next one through it.

It will be next term before we finish, but already with one student completely finished, and a few more almost so, I think we will one day reach the end of the experience. At one stage I thought I was biting off more than we could chew, however in a few weeks we should  be able to reflect on it and see what we might do another time.

Here Daniel - Year 7 reads his story.

And Teegan - Year 8 shares hers.

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

It is Monday and again I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.
Hop on over and join in over at the Mentor Text Blog. Just click on the picture below.

This last week I read See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles.  A very moving book that addresses a number of issues.  Mainly my sympathy was with 

Fern and the sense that she had at times that she was invisible especially to her mother.    I loved how Sara, Fern's older sister steps up and gets Fern and Holden to the homecoming dance.  The book bravely addresses the issues of a death in the family and homosexuality.  

I am not sure whether I will introduce this to my class, only the very older ones perhaps. If you've read it when would you introduce it into a class library? I wonder as mine I think are just say a year too young. (10-12 year olds)

Origami Yoda while still addressing issues important to middle graders, was far more lighthearted and I found myself chuckling a few times. I know there will be many readers in my class for this one.

I read this for my own professional reading.  I found it very helpful , especially the middle section that explored the telling of narrative.  Even if I was never to do digital storytelling in the classroom, this section gives a good approach to planning a narrative where there is tension and character development and change.  Something quite hard for younger writers to grasp. This book has given me some ideas on how to help them.

Apart from that I am going to try digital storytelling and I found this book very useful.

This coming week I will be reading Franny K Stein Mad Scientist  Lunch Walks Among us by Jim Benton and Marty Maguire Digs Worms by Kate Messner.

Video Making - Advice Needed.

These times I am learning about digital storytelling.  I have read the book Digital Storytelling by Adam Brice and Richard Lambert this last week.  I have now decided to narrow down my focus in digital storytelling to the actual making of videos with students. I did have visions of doing a whole lot more, however I realise it is just not possible.  I need to really focus in on what I want to do.

 I have some excellent material from the book on how to introduce film making to the students - I now realise I am not a movie goer and am really illiterate in this area.  However I am going to use the suggestions in the book- which means watching some movies that they suggest and learn a little more.  I also came across Mrs Pack on Twitter #6thchat, she works with her class and a general media studies class.  I enjoyed watching what she has achieved with her students.  She also has a lesson guide to download.

My question has now turned to what gear to use.  I do have mobile devices - iPad, iPod touch, digital camera and a Kodak play sport camera.  These are useful and could be used and I do use them.  However I want to also increase our range of tools to shoot video so that we have a more polished end result.

I would like:

                                     A video camera with jack inputs for  mic.
                                     Something like a Panasonic SD 90.

                                     Microphone - shotgun and lavalier

                                     Tripod - we have one at school

                                     Eventually some lighting

I want to get some editing software that goes beyond windows movie maker and iMovie on the mobile devices.  That means that whatever video camera I might get, needs to have a recording format compatible with the software.

While I am an Apple person at heart, we have PC computers at school. That means I can't get the better version of iMovie. My Principal did offer that next time my laptop is up for renewal that we get an Apple one for me.  I sort of turned that down, as everything else in the school is PC, however maybe I could take that option - if still an option!

 I want something that will be easy for the students to do the necessary editing - cutting, putting in music, voice over or whatever.  I want them to be able to fade in and fade out.  Even if I did get an Apple laptop, that would mean only one computer available to students for editing. (Yes I gave in a while back and let students use my computer - its the only one with a decent Windows movie maker! Or it could be to do with the server and levels of administration rights.)

I will also explore an easy to use software tool for editing movies on Window's computers, there is probably an upgraded Windows movie maker or the such like.

To all teachers who have worked with video making in the classroom I would really be interested in what you are using - especially if you are a PC school!  However I would also welcome those who use Apple to give me their thoughts.

Using Google Search Story

Today I have been following some of Kevin's work on Digital Storytelling here and as I read I found out an answer to a question I had yesterday about screencasting and one of his videos.  It is made using Google Search story.  He encouraged his learner to make a story about teaching which I am about to do soon.  But just while I was exploring it I tried one about my country.



And here is my teacher google search.


I think this would be fun for students to do. For example it would be a great beginning of the year activity for them to introduce themselves.  I am sure we could come up with many ideas when we put our minds to it together.

If you have made your own would love if you left a link.  If you haven't I challenge you, do one right now. It will take very little time.

Sabbatical Adventure Begins.

Well actually it began a little inauspiciously with a trip to the Doctor for antibiotics.  Can you believe it, first day in and I get sick!  Typical teacher story I guess!  So five weeks to explore and learn about what interests me.

However today I have started to feel the excitement of taking time to think about, learn about and increase my skills in the area of digital storytelling mainly.  I have just been searching on my computer for my application form for the sabbatical. Can't find it. Luckily I made a blog post about it here, so  I have my map!

As I read through it my first thoughts are - "Way too much!"  However one step leads to another and I think while I will keep the map and questions in mind, I will go where my interest at the time takes me. I sense I will focus on digital storytelling and only include the rest if I have time.  Over the last year  I have been saving web pages that I have come across into Diigo, so I have plenty to start with.  You know, all those interesting pieces of information you just don't have time to explore as you are caught up in the nitty gritty of everyday school life.

People have asked me are you going to travel, visit other schools?  Well I don't plan too, but who knows.  The beauty of the web is I can visit the USA, or Auckland or Christchurch or wherever, and never leave my study room. I can attend a online seminar or if I can't attend the seminar led by a teacher who's work I admire,  I can view his Prezi and interact with him on his blog.    So I have started exploring  Kevin's Meandering Mind blog, he is  an active teacher, learner and person who shares his learning story so that others may learn too.  I quickly peruse his post when he writes, but now I have the time to really dig deeper into it.

Today because of a screencast I watched on Kevin's prezi I have spent some time exploring software that would enable me to do that.  I have Jing downloaded but didn't go too much further into it because it does not have a file format suitable for uploading to say You Tube. I spent quite a bit of time looking at Screenr, Screencast etc.   What do I want - something that is:
                                                                     free
                                                                     has audio and video
                                                                     allows a little editing
                                                                     has a friendly file format and allows music to be placed.  (Couldn't find a free one - I guess you could have it playing on your computer as you screencast.  I trialled that, sounds a little tinny but would be an option.)

Finally I settled on Active Presenter and here is a little screencast I made exploring this software. I haven't got a full handle on it yet. I suggest you watch it in full screen as it is not clear when in the smaller size.