Digi Stories in the Lab

How might I use digital storytelling in my classroom? There are as many possibilities as there are children in the world. But the first that comes to mind is having the students create a digital story of their lives. Each year I want a refresher on my students as I have 300, and it is hard to keep track of them all. Reading through their biographies every September is interesting, but cumbersome. I think using digital storytelling for them to share their history with their classmates would be much more entertaining, interesting, and they may get more out of it. The chances of them putting more effort into it and completing the task would be multiplied as using all the cool digital hardware and software would keep them more engaged than just typing their stories and printing.

I could also see this as a creative way for them to change the ending to a book they are reading for English, summarizing the events of a part of history they are studying, or a social issue that needs attention. Using newly learned information would not only reinforce their understanding of the subject but may aid in the expansion of their knowledge. So much better than studying for a test and a fun way to learn too!