The contents of this article stem from an online presentation I provided to educators in our district on SMART Storytelling.
is like many digital tools – it can be used beyond its intended purposes. In the past, I worked with my students, utilizing many of the SMART Notebook features, to create digital stories. These stories were then published on for download or ordering.
I wanted to share this experience as I found it to be very rewarding for myself and my students. I judged this based on their feedback, requests to continue working on their free time including after school and observed engagement. I think it is an example of those ‘moments’ where students don’t think of it as working on curriculum as it is playing.
Live Recording
This is the recording of the live session in which I presented to educators in my district providing an overview of my experience, student work samples and related information.
Student Samples
Literacy “Look Fors”
This activity addresses many of the indicators and components of a balanced approach to literacy. Throughout this experience, students will have an opportunity to address aspects of the following areas:
- ownership and intellectual engagement
- reading/viewing
- speaking, listening, and language
- writing/representing
Extensions
Once you have images and text, it is pretty much left to your imagination how to use those materials to create an alternate product. For example, you could import the images into Microsoft , add narration and produce a movie. You could use a service like to upload the images and create an online flip book. You could have the student record the narration using , create an mp3 that another student could use as they read an online or print copy of the book.
Helpful Links
- – digital storytelling guru
- - focus on PhotoStory but still applicable
- - focus on PhotoStory but still applicable
- Up-Up and Down
- The Best Present Ever
I am an Educator living in Quispamsis, New Brunswick Canada. Currently, I am seconded from my Grade 5 class at Island View School to the position of Technology Mentor in the Southern Anglophone School District. Technology has been a common thread throughout my careers in education and community services. Now I am fortunate to be able to use my enthusiasm for integrating digital technologies into my teaching pedagogy and share those experiences with others in my district. 
