Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, for giving us time to work on our projects and finish them.  I got up at 5:30 AM and started compiling my photos for my project.  Sadly I didn't have time or the know-how to capture video,, but was able to get the photos I needed thanks to  all the techs who helped me scan the photos and put them in my photo roll.

At 12:00, I had completed everything except the voice recording for my project, after a couple of attempts at the school that were interrupted, I came home and did the voice-over where it was quiet.  When I did my Pecha Kucha for our digital age learning class I knew that this would be a challenge.  I actually think doing the Pecha Kucha helped prepare me to do the voice recording more efficiently.

One thing I was a little disappointed with was that creating the project using iMovie on the iPad was difficult, especially when it came to the voice over.  The music drowned out my voice, even when I spoke as loudly and clearly as possible.  I was able to compensate during the presentation by turning down the volume during the music tracks and turning it up during the speaking parts, but is was not an ideal solution to the problem, and in the future would make me consider using something other than iMovie.  It was quite annoying!.  The project I posted on youTube and on the project page of my Weebly is one that I removed the music track.  You can hear my voice better than the presentation I did in class, but with out the music, it seems pretty empty.  It shows, more than anything the importance of music to a project!.

Well today was a wonderful day for our son, his new wife and both of their families.  At the luncheon they played the closest of what I have seen of a digitial story showing the lives of the bride and groom separately and then together.  I could honestly see many of the aspects of digital storytelling in the video.  First of all, the music is such an important element of the story, and music choice enriches the story.  There was no narration but the video needed no narration.  I also saw that each picture needed a few seconds up on the screen in order to have that emotional connection.

The videographer and photographer are so important in preserving the memories of that day and compiling the subjects and text that will be remembered.  Other than this analysis, I didn't have the time or energy to work on my project.

I loved what we learned in the break-out session today.  It is no use having all this technology at our fingertips and not knowing how to use it.  It is the first time I have learned the features that can be used to save edit and send photos on an apple device.  I was able to apply some of them when we started working on our projects after lunch. 

I liked using Garage Band and can see how students would have fun recording music tracks for projects on Garage Band.  I have some music books and want to see what I can do with it using the Garage Band app.  I was glad to have time to start organizing my project.  I have been loading photos and am looking for a way to add video to the project.  I plan on finishing my action plan and at least my storyboard before I go to bed tonight.  With the big wedding tomorrow, I don't think I'll have much time to work.  I know I am not very proficient, with the technology we have been using in class, but this technology is some of the most exciting we have learned about, and I can't wait to use it personally and professionaly!

I learned a lot today in using digital  media to create presentations.  I liked working on iMovie on the iPad and putting our Pipe Cleaner project on iMovie.  It was the first time that I have used the elements of music, sound clips and editing the video.  It was great!!  I think these skills of video production are very valuable, and I could think of all kinds of applications for use in the classroom and for my personal use.

In the two articles we were assigned to read, the first article stressed that the two elements most important to storytelling are; 1) Living in the stories, and 2) unfolding the lessons learned.  The author should use their voice and bring out the emotion of the story, whether the story is about them or not.  By bringing out the emotions, it gives the story staying power with the audience.  Lessons learned helps the story to be relevant whether it is first-hand or second-hand,

I teach High School Biology, and these are some ideas I thought of where my students could do projects using digital storytelling :

• When doing reports on diseases and disorders, students could tell the story from the perspective of the person suffering from the disorder or disease, including how the disease was diagnosed, how they felt at the time, what it has felt like going through treatment, if there is any treatment. What would be the story of the affected persons fa
  
• A story about evolution from the perspective of Darwin or other early evolutionary biologists and how they have been taunted and ridiculed.  Why they defended their theories.
• You are part of a family fishing operation in the Gulf of Mexico, what has happened to you since the BP (British Petroleum) oil spill, what has happened and is happening to the ecosystem of the effected area?  You are an employee of British Petroleum, what is your perspective?

Digital storytelling has enhanced the way stories can be told.  "Stories tell us what we already knew and forgot, and remind us of what we haven't yet imagined"  Anne Watson.  I really believe this is true.  Digital storytelling adds another dimension for creative expression. 
I look forward to learning to use this medium, now that I know that a personal story doesn't have to be about me, it has taken away some of my apprehension about doing it. 
I have been using story boarding with my students ever since I took "Intel for Teachers" in about 2002.  I think it is a great way to plan projects, and I can always tell when my students use story boarding because their projects are better.  Students who skip this step generally are more frustrated during creation of their projects.  I think watching the work of creative geniuses like Walt Disney, help confirm the importance of using story boards to help in organizing and creating the story.
I have never done stop-motion photography, but have always found it entertaining and thought it would be fun to do.  After making our story board, it will be fun to put it together tomorrow.  So far I th