How was it used?

This activity was used for pupils in KS4 to help them with storyboarding when planning a video resource.

The resource can be found in the KS2 section of NGfL Cymru ICT teaching resources, but I believe it could be used in any subject and up to KS4 when learners are planning a video resource, or a slideshow.

The main activity gives a useful platform for storyboarding which could be used to introduce presentations for the first time, in which case it is useful to use the images and sounds provided in the activity, or as a storyboarding tool for future projects that involve presentations in various formats. In fact, I would normally run the activity with my pupils and allow them to complete their presentations with the editor in part 2 of the main session first. This tool is very simple and intuitive to use and it is a good start for the children. But I would then give them the same title and ask them to produce a presentation with the software and/or Web 2.0 tool of their choice. Here it might be better to provide some suggestions, like Photo Story 3, Photopeach, Prezi, PowerPoint, Dvolver, Movie Maker, etc...

Having the option to choose the software of their choice is important to meet the requirements of the Skills Framework, which states in one of the skills “Create and present information and ideas by combining a variety of different forms of information, including text, images, graphs, music files, with a developing sense of audience for their work”. For the same purpose it is also useful to give the learners a target audience, or even better, to give different target audiences to each group and allow them to explore the most appropriate form of presentation and the tool that will allow them to reach their goal. The video below focuses on two of the tools listed above and namely, Photo Story 3 and Photopeach.

Impact and Outcomes

• Using storyboarding, videos and slideshows is an excellent way to develop Literacy in young learners, because it allows them to engage with text in a very visual way aided by multimedia. Students will have to find ways to express their ideas in concise ways that capture the attention of the audience and will develop an ability to communicate thoughts and concepts through a variety of resources, including text and recorded narrations.
• Using Photopeach to create slideshows allows the developers to test their peers knowledge and understanding with the very easy to use Quiz creator and also to receive feedback from their classmates through the comments that the viewers can post to the video at the end of the slideshow. Photopeach is a very good tool for immediate AfL and Peer Assessment.
• Boys have the choice to present their slideshows and/or video using Photo Story 3, which allows them to narrate the “story” behind each frame they have added. This means they don’t need to write long paragraphs to get their message across and they often feel better about themselves if given the opportunity to just record their contributions. However, they can also write their script in the editor next to each slide, so they can plan what they want to say in advance and can go back to it several times before they start recording their voice.
• Giving children a wider choice of software and tools to present their work is a more inclusive approach, because it allows the learner to decide on the style of presentation that best suits their personality. This is also a way to allow the learners to engage in their education in a more personalized way.

This type of activity is highly engaging and my experience is that often students will start using these tools with their families and friends, e.g. to share their holidays, etc. This is indeed extended learning.

Learner Feedback

‘I loved using Photo Story, because I could say what I wanted and I found it easier to explain my points!’

‘Storyboarding is fun and it helped me think about what I should put in my presentation. The presentation was better.’

‘I like Photopeach, because my friends can tell me what they think about my work!”

Other Resources

This activity works better if groups of two or three pupils can share a PC, or laptop. It is easier to use microphones and headsets to children to record their voices.

Lesson Learnt

Pupils don’t often understand the importance of copyright issues and this activity provides a good opportunity for them to take this aspect of multimedia editing.