Next time you're brainstorming with the youth about what film to make, try this cool tool from BBC Scotland. (Courtesy of the great folks over at Lifehacker.)
Showing posts with label digital storytelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label digital storytelling. Show all posts
Tuesday
NYT Learning Blog - Ethnography Curriculum
Photography is a really wonderful tool for teaching art, science, and humanities.
"How do writers create or defy popular images of settings? What is ethnography, and how can it be used to reveal the meanings of places? In this lesson, students consider the power of place in their own lives, and then execute an ethnographic research project that dispels clichéd notions about where they live."
Click here for the curriculum
and
Click here for a similar curriculum over at the California Council for the Humanities.
Both are great.
"How do writers create or defy popular images of settings? What is ethnography, and how can it be used to reveal the meanings of places? In this lesson, students consider the power of place in their own lives, and then execute an ethnographic research project that dispels clichéd notions about where they live."
Click here for the curriculum
and
Click here for a similar curriculum over at the California Council for the Humanities.
Both are great.
Wednesday
Sunday
It's Baaaaaack...
About a year and a half ago, I pitched a project that would have youth creating their own original content for digital media distribution. Doesn't sound so innovative at first - after all, most youth media programs have youtube channels.
But what I was hoping to do was to help bridge the digital divide with a completely different technology - a little internet box that families can purchase for under $200. Eventually I dropped the idea because it looked like the iPod touch might be taking over.
But Chumby, the little internet box that could, is back with a new model and an even lower price. Take a look - might be a nice way for your program to combine user interface/design concepts with digital storytelling and 21st century distribution models.
But what I was hoping to do was to help bridge the digital divide with a completely different technology - a little internet box that families can purchase for under $200. Eventually I dropped the idea because it looked like the iPod touch might be taking over.
But Chumby, the little internet box that could, is back with a new model and an even lower price. Take a look - might be a nice way for your program to combine user interface/design concepts with digital storytelling and 21st century distribution models.
Monday
The Contest Has Launched
Youth: sign up to upload your video and vote for your favorites!
iTeachers: help your youth to create videos and posters and enter them.
Deadline is April 15 - tax day!
MO Project
MO Project is a contest about a movement. Californians are making neighborhoods healthier and we want to hear from you. Join in! Think about what's working, what's not working, and how to make it better. Your short films and posters will be shown to state and local representatives to help shape future funding and laws.
iTeachers: help your youth to create videos and posters and enter them.
Deadline is April 15 - tax day!
MO Project
MO Project is a contest about a movement. Californians are making neighborhoods healthier and we want to hear from you. Join in! Think about what's working, what's not working, and how to make it better. Your short films and posters will be shown to state and local representatives to help shape future funding and laws.
Make a short film or a poster and enter today!
Thursday
Using Digital to Make the "Old" Technology - Books
What Kids Can Do is a wonderful non-profit in Road Island that is helping kids to publish amazing books. Look. See. Be Inspired.
Friday
GFEM LAUNCHES ONLINE MEDIA DATABASE
Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media (GFEM.org) is very pleased to announce the launch of the GFEM Media Database at http://media.gfem.org.
The GFEM Media Database is a new online portal that allows media funders to learn about quality media projects. It's intent is to create a destination site for grantmakers who want to support public-interest media.
Funders and producers are invited to visit the site, review the guidelines, and take a look at projects that have already been uploaded. Independent producers are encouraged to post any projects they feel would be suitable for review. There is no fee for using this service.
GUIDELINES
Content: Projects designed for film or electronic media platforms: television, radio, theaters, web sites, mobile content, installations and more.
Media policy: Projects that focus on addressing media policy issues. Projects within this category may focus on issues such as advocacy, education, government policy and access.
Infrastructure: Projects related to deploying or reinforcing the infrastructure required to bring media to audiences. Projects in this area have to do with innovation, development, training, capacity building and support of small or large-scale information delivery and telecommunications systems. This can include community-based media arts centers, PEG access centers, public or community radio and television stations, mobile, satellite, or other systems.
HOW IT WORKS
Grantseekers load projects into the site through a series of web-based forms. GFEM staff review projects, and, if approved for inclusion, projects become entries in the online database. Grantmakers will be able to search the database to look for projects to support.
ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for inclusion, you must already have at least one foundation or government funder attached to your project. Our intent is to create a destination site for grantmakers who want to support public-interest media.
In order to make the site a destination for funders, we need to ensure that it is populated with quality projects. Our capacity to review and evaluate a lengthy project proposal is limited. If a project already has at least one foundation or government funder, it is more likely that the project has gone through a proposal review and vetting process in the philanthropic sector. This is an added level of evaluation and appraisal that we feel will be of value to other potential funders.
The GFEM Media Database is not designed to replace a full project proposal. The goal is to spur connections between grantseekers and grantmakers – to support a more robust public-interest media sector.
Monday
Watch the Webisodes | Contest | ACT for me
Watch the Webisodes: "We asked people to tell us their AC Transit stories by creating an ACT for Me webisode. Entrants gave us a quick look at the AC Transit community and showed us how the bus plays a part in that community. The stories didn’t have to be specifically about the bus or take place on the bus, but had to take place in areas accessible by the bus. Documentary, comedy, romance, and above all, originality were encouraged."
Nice work folks. I *love* that the judges gave first prizes in both youth and adult categories.
Nice work folks. I *love* that the judges gave first prizes in both youth and adult categories.
Wednesday
When You Have Some Time...
I know it's hard to make time as a teacher to do more than just plan and teach. But if you have a chance, sneak on over to this very helpful site. Here's what Techlearning has to say about it:
Storytelling 2.0 "It turns out a very busy person named Alan Levine created an online resource for a series of workshops that lists (at the time of this writing) 57 different Web 2.0 tools that can be used for digital storytelling. That in itself isn't unusual, of course, but what he did that was different was he took the time to retell the same story with each tool!
The site is at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/StoryTools, and is wonderfully comprehensive. In addition to his own oft-retold story, almost all of the titles also include examples of stories told by others. He also has a shorter list at the end of tools that he's tried that weren't successful for one reason or another, so you can see what sites to avoid (at least for now). Be sure to budget a lot of time for exploring!"
Storytelling 2.0 "It turns out a very busy person named Alan Levine created an online resource for a series of workshops that lists (at the time of this writing) 57 different Web 2.0 tools that can be used for digital storytelling. That in itself isn't unusual, of course, but what he did that was different was he took the time to retell the same story with each tool!
The site is at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/StoryTools, and is wonderfully comprehensive. In addition to his own oft-retold story, almost all of the titles also include examples of stories told by others. He also has a shorter list at the end of tools that he's tried that weren't successful for one reason or another, so you can see what sites to avoid (at least for now). Be sure to budget a lot of time for exploring!"
Sunday
Who's On Your Blacklist?
Submit a video of yourself, a relative, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, or anyone who has a story to tell about his or her personal experience of black life in America today.
Just like the subjects of the upcoming HBO documentary THE BLACK LIST: VOLUME ONE, the subjects of the winning videos will have their portraits taken by famed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in New York (transportation provided) and be interviewed by acclaimed journalist Elvis Mitchell. Select submissions may be showcased on various HBO platforms in 2009.
Just like the subjects of the upcoming HBO documentary THE BLACK LIST: VOLUME ONE, the subjects of the winning videos will have their portraits taken by famed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in New York (transportation provided) and be interviewed by acclaimed journalist Elvis Mitchell. Select submissions may be showcased on various HBO platforms in 2009.
Thursday
Cool Stuff over at Stories for Change
Help Us Celebrate Youth Voices!:
"In honor of International Youth Day, we are excited to announce our online campaign to feature digital stories made by youth from around the world that are working to make the world a better place. Starting August 12th through September 2nd, we will be displaying a rotating assortment of stories on the homepage as well as encouraging dialogue on strategies for doing digital storytelling projects with youth.
We also encourage youth members and those working with youth to consider uploading their own stories (visit: http://storiesforchange.net/node/add/story) on this theme and including the “youth” tag so they can be added to our growing collection.
This celebration is a part of Stories for Change’s initiative of sharing stories on particular themes, to coincide with various international days and celebrations. The goal of this initiative is to highlight both the diversity of voices on the site and the common social justice threads going on in the world of digital storytelling today.
Through the initiative, are working to connect with other organization's doing work on specific social justice issues and encourage them to become involved in the Stories for Change community. For more information, please email: laura@storycenter.org.
All the best,
The Stories for Change Team"
"In honor of International Youth Day, we are excited to announce our online campaign to feature digital stories made by youth from around the world that are working to make the world a better place. Starting August 12th through September 2nd, we will be displaying a rotating assortment of stories on the homepage as well as encouraging dialogue on strategies for doing digital storytelling projects with youth.
We also encourage youth members and those working with youth to consider uploading their own stories (visit: http://storiesforchange.net/node/add/story) on this theme and including the “youth” tag so they can be added to our growing collection.
This celebration is a part of Stories for Change’s initiative of sharing stories on particular themes, to coincide with various international days and celebrations. The goal of this initiative is to highlight both the diversity of voices on the site and the common social justice threads going on in the world of digital storytelling today.
Through the initiative, are working to connect with other organization's doing work on specific social justice issues and encourage them to become involved in the Stories for Change community. For more information, please email: laura@storycenter.org.
All the best,
The Stories for Change Team"
Wednesday
This Is Why I Love MacLife Magazine
"iTunes K-12 has the potential to be as varied and as iTunes U proper. Like the students themselves, iTunes K-12 just needs a bit of time and effort to mature.
Here’s a look at some student-friendly K-12 podcasts that are also interesting to adults..."
iTunes K-12 Section Has Some Growing Up to Do
Here’s a look at some student-friendly K-12 podcasts that are also interesting to adults..."
iTunes K-12 Section Has Some Growing Up to Do
Thursday
My New Playground
We have a student who needs their own, individual project. So I'm building a series of exercises that will allow him to explore some of the issues going on in his life - inspired by the film Tarnation. Part of the plan is to have him use the built-in camera on one of our iMacs to make a self-portrait using stop motion. So I went hunting to find an example and found this instead...Boinx Software - iStopMotion 2 - Examples
Fun stuff. Now I have lots of ideas for projects for all ages!
Fun stuff. Now I have lots of ideas for projects for all ages!
Sunday
Screenwriting Software and Sooooo Much More
A colleague recently turned me on to celtx, which describes itself as "Integrated Pre-Production".
Wow this software is cool. Not only does it allow you to write scripts/screenplays in a variety of traditional formats, but you can also complete many project chores in the software. Everything from character breakdowns to production schedules, and more.
(As with any open source software - or just creative work in general - I would print out a hard copy every once in a while, just in case. I've had no problems with the software, but my friend has found a couple of bugs here and there.)
Wow this software is cool. Not only does it allow you to write scripts/screenplays in a variety of traditional formats, but you can also complete many project chores in the software. Everything from character breakdowns to production schedules, and more.
(As with any open source software - or just creative work in general - I would print out a hard copy every once in a while, just in case. I've had no problems with the software, but my friend has found a couple of bugs here and there.)
Wednesday
Recently Expanded - Great Source for Youth Made Media
What if you only had 1 day to make a movie?
By the way, the gallery for the Insomnia Film Festival is up. The top 9 films are currently being viewed and scored by celebrity judges. Winners to be announced shortly.
Is Text Only Enough for Today's Students?
An interesting Blog from Techlearning
with some great examples of how images, video, phototagging, and other medium can tell the story better than text alone.
with some great examples of how images, video, phototagging, and other medium can tell the story better than text alone.
Tuesday
Using Video to Empower Children of Inmates
UgoNet - Children have become the collateral damage of the prison system. But in them is also great potential for collateral benefits. If a child can rise above the psychological and emotional barriers of a parent's incarceration, that child is far less likely to end up confined by physical barriers later in life. If that child can interpret, capture and share their environment and situation through film, they hold the power to change the way our communities understand the intersections of families and captivity.
In summer 2006, Maysles Institute partnered with the Incarcerated Mothers Program to teach six 8-12 year old kids how to create short videos of their lives, to be shared with their parents and community. Our goal was to offer these young people the experiences and tools that will empower them to create influential works of art while envisioning and realizing healthy futures. The program will continue with workshops this fall, and then regularly in spring.
In summer 2006, Maysles Institute partnered with the Incarcerated Mothers Program to teach six 8-12 year old kids how to create short videos of their lives, to be shared with their parents and community. Our goal was to offer these young people the experiences and tools that will empower them to create influential works of art while envisioning and realizing healthy futures. The program will continue with workshops this fall, and then regularly in spring.
Wednesday
See It Map It Learn It
A short but inspiring article about innovative approaches to applying new media in traditional subjects like English and Social Studies. Using Digital Place-Based Storytelling To Teach Geographical Thinking
After reading this article, I had my documentary students open up Google Earth. The characters in their story have a real connection to a specific place, so we used that spot as our starting point. And now their shot list is so much richer!
After reading this article, I had my documentary students open up Google Earth. The characters in their story have a real connection to a specific place, so we used that spot as our starting point. And now their shot list is so much richer!
Tuesday
How To Make Student Films Better...the Basics
In his article, Adding Impact to Digitally-Filmed Stories
Jon Orech gives some basic definitions and strategies to make student film & video projects better. For example
"Movement (panning and zooming) can add a dynamic feel to still shots and can aid in developing plot, revealing character, or creating a dramatic effect."
and
"Transitions can be a real trap. Remember those Powerpoints with a different transition for each slide? The truth is, most transitions are distracting. The key is teaching the purpose of the "Big Three" and show students how to choose. I tell students to think of transitions as punctuation marks."
There's some good advice here and the language he uses is helpful for classroom application.
Jon Orech gives some basic definitions and strategies to make student film & video projects better. For example
"Movement (panning and zooming) can add a dynamic feel to still shots and can aid in developing plot, revealing character, or creating a dramatic effect."
and
"Transitions can be a real trap. Remember those Powerpoints with a different transition for each slide? The truth is, most transitions are distracting. The key is teaching the purpose of the "Big Three" and show students how to choose. I tell students to think of transitions as punctuation marks."
There's some good advice here and the language he uses is helpful for classroom application.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)