December 13

Year 8 - it's almost time for a well earned break.

But before we go let's finish the PhotoStory 3 tutorial. Click here to fly through cyberspace to a site with a FREE PhotoStory 3 tutorial.

I have headsets available for you - just raise your hand and I will bring one to you:-)

December 10

Good morning Year 8

Our adgenda was a little heavy last week so let's continue where we left off.


Reopen you Design Folder (Word 2007 document) and continue with the Investigation (Criterion A).

INVESTIGATION - Use a search engine (like Google or Yahoo) to research "digital storytelling".
1)What is digital storytelling? Explain in your own words.
2)What programs can we use for digital storytelling? Name 2 programs that can be used.
3)Are any of these tools open-source? (Open-source tools are are free! Another name is Freeware.) If yes, name that program. If no, continue searching until you find one that is open-source.
4) Find 2 digital stories online. Supply the URL (web address) and describe each of the stories.
5)What is the difference between a digital story and an oral story?
6) What is a "tutorial"? ExplainRemember to keep all of the URL's for documentation purposes.
7) Now type each of those questions into your new online Design Folder and answer each of those questions completely and carefully. This is part of your Criterion A for the project.


Next, begin the PhotoStory 3 tutorial. Click here to fly through cyberspace to a site with a FREE PhotoStory 3 tutorial. I have headsets available for you - just raise your hand and I will bring one to you:-)

Remember your blog has been created as an online "notebook". Please record all of your finding on your blog. Also before the end of each class, please write a reflection about what you did in class that day.

December 6

Today we have some work to do.

First of all let's refresh our memory in regard to the Design Cycle. The Design Cycle is composed of 5 stages: Investigate, Design, Plan, Create, Evaluate. It must follow that cycle. We can't Evaluate before we Create - it's impossible.

As part of your project you must build an online Design Folder and there's no time like the present to start ;-)

Open a Word 2007 document. Click on the Insert tab on the Ribbon. The extreme left icon says Cover Page - Click on that. Choose a cover page (choose the one you like best. You can change the colors if you wish.) Type your Name, Year 8 Unit of Work - PhotoStory 3 Project. Then create another page and type in very large letters at the top of the page the word "INVESTIGATE".

Now you are ready to proceed with the Investigation (Criterion A).

INVESTIGATION - Use a search engine (like Google or Yahoo) to research "digital storytelling".

1)What is digital storytelling? Explain in your own words.
2)What programs can we use for digital storytelling? Name 2 programs that can be used.
3)Are any of these tools open-source? (Open-source tools are are free! Another name is Freeware.) If yes, name that program. If no, continue searching until you find one that is open-source.
4) Find 2 digital stories online. Supply the URL (web address) and describe each of the stories.
5)What is the difference between a digital story and an oral story?
6) What is a "tutorial"? Explain

Remember to keep all of the URL's for documentation purposes.

7) Now type each of those questions into your new online Design Folder and answer each of those questions completely and carefully. This is your Criterion A for the project.

Begin the PhotoStory 3 tutorial. Click here to fly through cyberspace to a site with a FREE PhotoStory 3 tutorial.


Remember your blog has been created as an online "notebook". Please record all of your finding on your blog. Also before the end of each class, please write a reflection about what you did in class that day.

Today's blog entry:
1)Write a reflection about "the process of creating the blog" (was it difficult? was it easier than you thought it would be? Was it fun? Do you think your blog will be helpful?)
2) Write a reflection about what you did in class today. Mention the Investigation, and Beginning the PhotoStory Tutorial.

December 3 - Welcome to IT

Year 8 - Welcome to IT. My name is Ms. Dietrich and I will be your tech teacher in Term 2.

Our project will be to create a Digital Story using Microsoft PhotoStory 3. It's an open source program that is fun and easy to use.

Let's get started and create a blog. The blog is your process journal. The process journal holds an important role. This is the place where you record your findings, reflect on your work and collect information, data, and web addresses (url's) for future reference. Since each of you has access to our computer room, it just seems natural that your process journal would take place online as well.

Remember, record your blog address, your email address and your password. Your diary would be a great place to house this information.

So Year 8, let's go . . .