Digital Storytelling

Now that we are developing so many advances in technology, more and more people feel like it is time to start integrating technology into our classrooms to help teach children and keep their interest in class. In 2007 the Department of Education reported the results found in a major study that was conducted focusing on how computer software effected how well students did academically grades K-12 in their reading and math classes. After getting test scores back, the researchers reported that the math and reading software had no significant effect on the students and because of this is giving people reason to say that it is a waste of time and money putting computers in the schools. This was printed on the front page of newspapers across the country, but of course teachers and many others researchers disagreed with this notion. With results like from a major study conducted by the Department of Education, should they disagree or could it be true that computers have no more effect on teaching than plain old text? Maybe it was not the fact that the software had no effect, maybe it was just the way that the study was conducted which gave unfair results. One of the research officials said that the study “failed to address several key pieces that other research and educators strongly agree are critical to the success of any efforts to transform teaching and learning. So by one of the research officers saying that there was key information left out of the study, then that means that their results stating that it was ineffective was inaccurate.

I personally feel like the results were inaccurate, because I know that without computers in the school it would be a lot harder to access the resources we need to be successful in the classroom. For many students it is hard to just read something and learn from plain print in a book, so some people need the interaction of a computer program to keep them focused on the task instead their mind wondering because it is tired of looking at a book. The younger generation already spends a lot of time on the computer as it is using social networks, blogs, youtube, emails, podcasts, Wikipedia. So if the youth is already using this in their everyday life, why not intergrate into the classroom where they can learn something but be interested at the same time? Teachers and researchers have caught on to this note, but their problem is finding a way to get it into the classrooms and this form but still be productive at the same time. I like what they are doing with the English classes with the digital storytelling, it is simple but effective. Something as simple as putting a book on DVD so a student can read it while it is being read to them goes a long way in holding attention so a student can read something and like it; or at least read it without falling asleep.  Effective ways of getting technology in the classroom is coming, slowly but surely I’m just ready for the day when it catches on everywhere.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:

Robin, B.R. (2008). Digital storytelling: a porwerful technology tool for the 21st century classroom. Theory Into Practice, 47:220–228(0040-5841), Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=107&sid=769596c7-a8c1-4de8-ab6f-68f75c0caca1%40sessionmgr111 doi: 10.1080/00405840802153916

[NOTE: Italicize "Theory Into Practice" and the volume number - "47:220–228"]

PARENTHETICAL CITATION:

(Robin, 2008)