An Animoto Adventure and Realizing I Cannot Handle Finishing Blog Posts Five Minutes Before the Deadline

Sources Used for Animoto
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/abraham-lincoln.html
http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=189
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Abraham_Lincoln
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Mary_Todd_Lincoln_1846-1847_restored_cropped.png
http://www.dentongenealogy.org/1848Lincoln.jpg
http://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/files/2008/12/18000038.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Attack_on_Fort_Sumter.jpg
http://www.retrocampaigns.com/images/lincoln.png
http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/01/78201-004-3EDA77C3.jpg
http://hisvorpal.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/irwin_antietam.jpg
http://thumbs.media.smithsonianmag.com//filer/Lincoln-McClellan-Antietam-631.jpg__800x600_q85_crop.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/3a05802u.gif
http://events.tennessean.com/sites/events.tennessean.com/images/event/441728030/proclamation_category.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ4o5WWckj8Dw0LJIXtmacr7EcKov7IoPWaLekV-suD32KyskvJJXfE_uG796cSWyewEAdOhBkA93S6I1_izTwQsRwvQhusVl5BtaqWyy2EDs9tjoUvHdh5tRD4YQbJgeCzDe3uZ70V4/s1600/20080114224638!Battle_of_Gettysburg.jpg
http://www.sethkaller.com/images/extras/GettysburgFirstDraftw.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBQklb4jcGheuumx8JDHCclkRfr_ZGc6Yl4IWbq1VCaT9rptugb4GX0vZdQ-EAKVEgiFu-FPcULllrA8Py3ItNK3dEwYBlMFOTVLdXkFxI_BkUIMTppLq3uJgtj3MqGf354rysu9nQFlk/s1600/Grant+-+mourning+band+for+Lincoln2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0f/Lincoln_box.png

Common Core Standards Met

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9
Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.3
Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

ISTE Nets Standards Met

3.Research and information fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of 
sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to 
specific tasks

d. Process data and report results

6. Technology operations and concepts 
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. 
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Reflection on Creating a Digital Story
I found the process fun: gathering the information, and photos, and choosing the music. But, honestly, it felt like a creating a glorified Powerpoint presentation, at least in Animoto. Do I think it is an enjoyable experience? Yes, definitely. It was fairly easy to use and intuitive. But, I am not sure it is something I would use for most assignments. It is nice to know it is available as an option though! I also think utilizing the speaking aspect of digital storytelling is the biggest upside to it.

Other Digital Story-telling Options
Some other digital storytelling options are Comicmaster and Storybird. Comicmaster is a great Web 2.0 tool! It seems really fun and creative, creating a graphic novel of whatever they want. You can even print out the graphic novel when you are done! Storybird allows students or yourself to write a story and then use the art they provide to create a story for it. Then they can also read the story aloud and record their voice reading it.

Benefits of Digital Story-telling
I think Digital story-telling develops critical thinking and also allows an outlet for students who are shy and need a place where they can give their voice. It also creates a sense of individuality in the students' work. Because no two stories are necessarily going to be the same. You can provide a broad topic and they can create something stemming from that.