https://prezi.com/secure/1a3cae11bd7e9349db5d6dac97025642c9eda5a2/
This week I completed the digital storytelling example for my student project. I decided to do economic recessions and depressions in U.S. history. It’s really interesting to see the pattern of recessions and depressions throughout history. I used a bunch of different sites on the history of the U.S. economy and the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to gather my information. Then I created a Prezi showing what I found. I started my Prezi with an image I created through Wordle. Wordle sorts words from text and shows the words in different sizes depending on the frequency of the word in the passage. I used a passage from one of the websites I used in my research. After that, I included definitions of recession and depression because many people don’t know exactly how those words are defined. Then I provided a timeline that I created in Microsoft Word of recessions and depressions throughout U.S. history. Next, I pulled some statistics on recessions and depressions to compare to the current economic crisis, which some call the “Great Recession.” After that, I discussed what it meant for us. I probably need to do a little more in depth on the what it means for us part.
It’s a bit rough since the project was meant to be something that students completed over several weeks to a couple of months and I completed it in a week. I think with more time, I could improve on my Prezi. I also would hope my students didn’t focus too much on using Prezi. I want them to create something meaningful, which could be something very different from what I created. It could be a mini-documentary, a play, poem, or song, or a voice over digital story sort of like my Prezi. They could also do something as simple as a PowerPoint presentation. I think the rubric will be more helpful to them in deciding on their project and since they will have to get teacher approval, that will hopefully ensure they are doing an acceptable project. They’ll also have to turn in a storyboard prior to completing the final project.
I think that completing a project like this will be a great experience for my students. It will show them the connections between events. Most of the time in history classes, they are simply taught the events in isolation and they don’t understand why those events are important to them. Both their own projects and the projects of their classmates will help them see those connections.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it was too rought of a project. I thought you used the Prezi features creatively (with the text within text, etc.) I think the necessary storyboard for your students will be a great idea and will work wonderfully, since it will give you a time and place to correct any students who may be a bit off track or who need a bit more to their projects.
I do agree that the connectivity to historical events will be higher for students after they have to create a project as involved as this one.
Alex S.
I don't think the project was to rough either. Depending on your grade level this is something that could really be a way for the students to get their ideas out in a creative way. It was easy to follow, and I appreciated the time you took making things different sizes, and the dramatic turns when you came to important words. I also liked the beginning with all the words in the background.
ReplyDeleteI also like the other ideas you have to work on with your students, powerpoints, poems, documentaries, and things like that. It would be great to see what they came up with. And I think they really could connect with things on a higher level after doing something like this.
Megan H
You wrote, “I started my Prezi with an image I created through Wordle.” I love Wordle. I use it all the time with my third graders. It is a great way to teach main idea and details. I never thought to put one in a Prezi. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteYou also wrote, “I want them to create something meaningful, which could be something very different from what I created.” I completely agree with this statement. I sometimes fear even making an example of what I want my students to do because then they will just try to copy mine. I’d prefer if they used their own creativity and presented the information in a way that they feel is best, not the way that I thought of. They just want to please the teacher and get a good grade so if the teacher makes an example, they will try to make the exact same thing. For my example presentation for this class, I purposefully created it on a topic that will not be assigned to any group to try to discourage this.
I think the way your rubric is written can help to prevent them from just copying you. If you put in an aspect for creativity and make it clear that they won't receive a good score on that if they simply copy what I did, then that should discourage their attempts to copy the teacher example, I hope.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I agree with the others. I don't think that your presentation was very rough. I actually liked it and wished that there was a bit more to it. But like you mentioned you had a very limited amount of time to put it together. I would be very interested in seeing a polished and finished project.
ReplyDeleteThe subject that you are presenting is appropriate for your grade level. It's great that you don't want your students limited to just using PowerPoint or Prezi either.
Have you tried to get any information from The Federal Reserve? They have a lot of information on recession and depressions. Last year I went to a presentation on the Great Depression given by them and found it to be very informative. This is a just a suggestion.
Nice work!
~Lori