My name is Robin Green. I am an instructional designer for an EdTech company based in Virginia. In my current role, I use open source curriculum to create online courses that our partner schools use in their schools. My goal is to provide engaging, interactive math courses that support teachers as they provide individualized learning experiences to their students. I started my career as a teacher in small rural schools in western Oklahoma, teaching English and Spanish. I fell into the online education industry in 2009 and have been in that space in various capacities ever since. My husband and I have three adult children and two fur babies. I am excited to say that this is my final class before I earn my degree in Curriculum and Instruction!
I’ve kicked around a few ideas for my digital story. I considered something surrounding the lack of representation in the field of medical research as well as the role of fatphobia in the inadequate healthcare that fat women receive. This type of storytelling could be empowering and emotionally significant to me as a member of this marginalized group (Davis & Foley, 2016).
I love antiques and have some incredible pieces which made me consider something that contrasts our current throw away culture with finding respect for and placing value in craftsmanship and the artisanship of earlier generations. This topic would allow me to explore a personally relevant topic that would encourage the use of narrative to “make sense of” my fascination and reverence for pre-loved items (Davis & Foley, 2016, p. 326).
I think that I am leaning most toward a study of hummingbirds, their resilience and persistence and how they have been a metaphor for my life.
I’ve had an absolute fascination and love for birds in general and hummingbirds, specifically, for as long as I can remember. Literature suggests that this intense emotional connection to the topic is one that is motivating and engaging (Staley & Freeman, 2017, p. 3). This is a “personally relevant topic” and I can imagine a number of connections I can make and stories I can tell with this topic (Staley & Freeman, 2017, p. 10). This type of learner-centered approach will allow me to take ownership of the topic and experiment with constructing knowledge (Kubrahvi, et. al., 2018). Plus, hummingbirds provide a stunning visual element for the project.
The support for the DST instructional strategy is overwhelming, but I can definitely see where a number of teachers would be reluctant to relinquish control and share the learning leadership with their students (Shelby-Caffry et. al., 2018). In an attempt to ensure that all students receive an equal education, many teachers find themselves faced with a script to follow. This attempt at homogenizing the curriculum leaves no room for differentiated, student-driven curricular opportunities (Staley & Freeman, 2017, p. 10). This is unfortunate, because DST promotes critical thinking and reflective practices, both of which are foundational skills students will need to take into their futures (Kubrahvi, et. al., 2018).
References
Davis, A., & Foley, L. (2016). Digital storytelling. In M. Lesley & B. J. Guzzetti (Eds.), Handbook of research on the societal impact of digital media (pp. 317-336). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-8310-5.ch013
Kubravi, S. U., Shah, S. O., & Jan, K. (2018). Digital story telling: The impact on student academic achievement, critical thinking and learning motivation. International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management, 1(12), 787-791.
Shelby-Caffey, C., Úbéda, E., & Jenkins, B. (2014). Digital storytelling revisited: An educator’s use of an innovative literacy practice. The Reading Teacher, 68(3), 191-199. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1273
Staley, B., & Freeman, L. A. (2017). Digital storytelling as student-centred pedagogy: Empowering high school students to frame their futures. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 12, Article 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-017-0061-9
Hi Robin!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post! I think all of your ideas for your digital storytelling project are interesting, but I especially love your idea of using hummingbirds and their resilience as a metaphor for your own life. I think that could turn into such a beautiful and meaningful story! I also love how you mentioned incorporating visuals of hummingbirds because I think that would make your story even more engaging.
I also agree with your thoughts about allowing students to take ownership of their learning. As a first-grade teacher, I see how much more excited and engaged my students become when they have opportunities to be creative and make their own choices. I think digital storytelling is a great way to encourage creativity while also helping students develop important skills. I look forward to seeing which direction you take with your project!
Hi Robin, I think the hummingbird idea for your digital story is a great idea and how it connects to your own life and experiences. I also like that you chose something that means a lot to you and can make your digital story even more meaningful. I think the pictures and videos of hummingbirds will help keep the viewers more interested and engaged. I think digital storytelling allows students to have the opportunity to be creative while also being responsible for their learning. I look forward to seeing how your digital story turns out throughout the class, and I am excited to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteHi, Robin! I enjoy reading your blog entry. All of your DST ideas pique my interest, but I really love the hummingbird idea. Hummingbirds were my mom's favorite bird, so I have a personal connection to them as well. As for your story, though, what I find the most intriguing is the lens through which you want to tell the story. Your idea would blend a factual, scientific topic with a personal, intimate perspective, and I think that could be magical.
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