I found the the article "The World of Digital Storytelling" by Jason Ohler quite instructive. For example, Ohler made the point that the digital technology is so powerful that for some, the more technology used, the weaker the story becomes. He then suggested practical steps to help prevent this problem.
Moreover, the article "The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling" was very enlightening. Among the many important points that were raised, Robin discussed the notion about teaching students to become producers and not just consumers. I think as educators this is one of the things that we should consider when preparing youngsters to contribute in today's society. Are we preparing them to be producers or just consumers?
I guess the question of whether we develop in students the belief that that they can and should be producers of their own, as well as other peoples' knowledge, would depend on how well their teachers get that message across.
ReplyDeleteTo me that does not only depend on the introduction to, and constant usage of the technology, but also on the teacher's ability to generate enthusiasm, stimulate curiousity and most importantly, show the benefits to their students.
I believe that the teacher is more important than the technology because it is the teacher who selects the technology and the skills and content to be learned. It is the teacher who creates a suitable learning environment and as you say is the one who has to motivate the students and get the message across that they can be producers and not just consumers.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is the teacher.That's why we need to:
ReplyDeleteKnow the technology;
Understand the technoloy;
Learn the technology;and
Be able to use the technology.
Technology is rapidly increasing on a daily basis and as teachers we need to keep learn how to use these technologies so that they can be efectively intergrated into our curriculum and classrooms.This should be one of the main focus of the Monistry of Education.All teachers should receive continuous training in this area.
Yes, I too agree with you that teachers should receive continuous development in technology. However, there are two other significant elements that must be combined with the technology - Content and Pedagogical knowledge. That is why, Roxanne, I think that the TPACK approach is so significant. Teachers should be adept in all three areas: Content, Pedagogical and Technological knowledge.
ReplyDeleteHi Colin,
ReplyDeleteAs producers, students must learn how to take charge of their own learning. They must learn to look at the challenges they face and seek out solutions that will not only benefit them but their peers as well. Reading to develop their emotional intelligence helps them to own their learning and to see and respond to the needs around them.For to oversee as a producer does there must be added understanding.
Hi Colin,
ReplyDeleteMany people may skim over the notion of creating ‘active participants rather than passive consumers’ (Ohler, 2006 p. 47). I mean I myself recall the strategies and ideas and the phrase as the saying goes just rolled off my back. I must say your blog made me revisit the article as I wondered a bit about why you may have chosen to highlight this phrase.
I don’t believe that we as teachers have created these digital consumers but that they were created by society and the media. However, teachers can now take up the mantle to have the tables turned. Teachers can utilize digital storytelling in a structured way so that they can help students to become active participants rather than just users and abusers in some cases of the technology.
Ohler, J. (2006). The world of digital storytelling. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 44-47.
I found the article by Bernard R. Robin to be quite insightful. He agreed that both teachers and students should be producers of digital stories. Digital story telling can be used as an instructional tool for teachers. Once students had access to the technologies such as Microsoft Word and Power Point they could be used to create digital stories. Like most computer related technologies digital storytelling can generate interest, attention and motivation in the classroom. I have found that too many teachers have the false notion that by having access to the technology, teaching instruction would improve when in fact it is really the use of the technology.
ReplyDeleteI believe in constant self development and one of the reasons why I delight in learning new skills and expanding my mind is that the more I learn, the more I will be able to help others. So I agree with you, Mari, that children must learn to solve problems, not only focussing on their own challenges but assisting in helping their peers as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Sabrina, that society and the media are the chief forces that have created so many digital consumers. I also agree that we as educators can play an important role in helping youngsters focus more on producing rather than just consuming.
ReplyDeleteI think that the power of digital story telling is in its ability to captivate students' interest because of the multiplicity of attractive and fun tools available. One cannot teach anything without first getting the students' attention and technology is a strong attention grabber. So I agree with you there, Peter.
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ReplyDelete