Intro Movie and Ch. 2-3

I created my video using "motion" and "imovie." I made the initial animation with "motion." I have to admit, I used to produced animations before I switched careers.  I don't have all the fancy software I used to but "motion" is a relatively cheap alternative to "adobe aftereffects" which is expensive.  The rest of the video contains some still frames and some video put together in "imovie." Lastly, I did a voiceover to explain my story.  The process of making this was cathartic for me.  You will see why...

Chapter 2:

• The video made in imovie with student's original art in as the backdrop and their voice as the narration sounds like a great project for 4th grade combining "real" art with digital tools.  Great idea and easy to accomplish.  My students need to work on communication skills like sequencing and explaining ideas clearly, so I am going to try this soon. 
• Active viewing vs. passive viewing was interesting for me.  I usually will have students present and all my attention is on the presenter while the audience is silent, yet passive. Active viewing can add more engagement and not waste everyones time.  It can turn the act of listening to presentations into a lesson.  
• This book was written in 2008.  The first "imovie" I had was 2009.  Now I am using "imovie" 2011 and its incredibly easy.  Any student (3rd grade and up) with a camera and imovie can easily create a movie with decent production.  To me, this puts all the focus on the story.  Anyone can produce a movie, but only good storytellers can move us. 

Chapter 3

• I believe new Common Core standards include student multimedia presentations. 
• For me, clear rubrics are the only way to evaluate digital stories or any sort of projects.   
• "Having students write for media is an effective way of slipping writing in under the radar."  While I don't like the notion that writing is so horrible it has to be slipped in, for my students, who having communicative disabilities, writing is extremely stressful and frustrating.  Anything that makes it more fun and takes the focus off their writing might allow them to relax and let the mistakes/editing process happen without getting upset.