Story Bird
What is it?
Storybirds are short stories inspired by the artwork of others. The site gives users a range of different themed artworks to choose from before they begin writing a story based around these drawings. Stories can be collaborated on together or created individually and shared with others. Students create their own accounts which are pre-prepared by the classroom teacher. Using these accounts, students are able to customize their avatars to an extent and create a library of books that others and themselves have published. Once they begin their own stories, they are able to save their progress and return to work on their work at any time.
This program is very user friendly and with very little guidance, students can create unique stories which can reflect their individual styles and abilities in literacy. It encourages students in the middle and upper years to use their imagination to create original texts which are directed at a specific audience
Security measures are high and stories with offensive matter or comments are filtered out during the publishing stage. Storybird is also designed to allow parents and teachers to ‘approve’ the content which the students are exposed to and report anything under the ‘Contact Us’ tab in the ‘Help’ key.
How Does it Work?
First you can begin by watching these youtube clips which will show you how to start your storybird:
Storybirds are short stories inspired by the artwork of others. The site gives users a range of different themed artworks to choose from before they begin writing a story based around these drawings. Stories can be collaborated on together or created individually and shared with others. Students create their own accounts which are pre-prepared by the classroom teacher. Using these accounts, students are able to customize their avatars to an extent and create a library of books that others and themselves have published. Once they begin their own stories, they are able to save their progress and return to work on their work at any time.
This program is very user friendly and with very little guidance, students can create unique stories which can reflect their individual styles and abilities in literacy. It encourages students in the middle and upper years to use their imagination to create original texts which are directed at a specific audience
Security measures are high and stories with offensive matter or comments are filtered out during the publishing stage. Storybird is also designed to allow parents and teachers to ‘approve’ the content which the students are exposed to and report anything under the ‘Contact Us’ tab in the ‘Help’ key.
How Does it Work?
First you can begin by watching these youtube clips which will show you how to start your storybird:
1. Click on this link to begin – www.storybird.com
2. Click on Teacher/Class
3. In the Username box, enter your username and password (which I have given you)
4. Enter a new password, remember to make it one that you will not forget – write it in the front of your English book if you need to.
5. You can choose to change your avatar (which is your picture) but there is no need to add your email account.
6. Click on the Read tab up the top to explore other people’s Storybirds.
7. Click on the Create tab
8. Choose which artwork you would like to use from the list
9. Follow the pop ups that will show you what to do and start typing your story!
2. Click on Teacher/Class
3. In the Username box, enter your username and password (which I have given you)
4. Enter a new password, remember to make it one that you will not forget – write it in the front of your English book if you need to.
5. You can choose to change your avatar (which is your picture) but there is no need to add your email account.
6. Click on the Read tab up the top to explore other people’s Storybirds.
7. Click on the Create tab
8. Choose which artwork you would like to use from the list
9. Follow the pop ups that will show you what to do and start typing your story!
Ideas for the Classroom:
Storybird would be a fantastic tool for assessment as it gives students an opportunity to incorporate their knowledge of ICT in the classroom, as well as their literacy skills.
Stories can be created in groups, with each group member contributing per page.
Students can read the stories of others and complete book reports/ shares.
Students could create a play based on the images they have selected and act out their story instead of typing text.
Original artwork can be scanned and used to create stories. Students can then create a story behind what inspired them to produce this artwork.
Use it to document a particular event in the classroom, documentary-style by having students engage in various roles of the production process of story-telling.
Storybird would be a fantastic tool for assessment as it gives students an opportunity to incorporate their knowledge of ICT in the classroom, as well as their literacy skills.
Stories can be created in groups, with each group member contributing per page.
Students can read the stories of others and complete book reports/ shares.
Students could create a play based on the images they have selected and act out their story instead of typing text.
Original artwork can be scanned and used to create stories. Students can then create a story behind what inspired them to produce this artwork.
Use it to document a particular event in the classroom, documentary-style by having students engage in various roles of the production process of story-telling.
Who is it for?
Storybird encourages students to use their cognitive thinking skills to develop scenarios for the pictures and they use problem solving skills when working out how the images link together. Not only are students practicing their literacy skills, they also have the chance to work on their typing skills. Storybird would be best suited for students working at VELS level 2 and above. Although the site is very user friendly, there are some aspects such as the student account management, which could prove challenging for younger students. It is also necessary that students have a relatively organised level of cognitive thinking and literacy skills in order to form basic ideas and sentences from the artwork.
VELS (VCAA, 2005) defines students working at VELS level 2 of ICT to be able to complete the following aspects. I have also included examples of how Story Bird can develop these skill:
Students begin to explore contemporary ways of communicating ideas and information
o They can display emotions through stories and learn how different ideas can be interpreted by others
Students manipulate text and images to create simple information products for specific audiences
o Students must create a story which flows and links to ideas presented in the text.
o They will practice writing stories for people of different ages, such as young children and adults
Students develop an understanding of the importance of checking the accuracy of facts that are going to be processed this is particularly relevant when students are editing their work
o Students will become aware that the content which they are creating will be shared among a wide audience and therefore
must be edited correctly.
Students are introduced to the simple security strategy of using passwords to protect access to their files when working on a network.
o Used for logging in and managing their account.
The above skills can be easily demonstrated and practiced through incorporating Wall Wisher in the classroom.
Storybird encourages students to use their cognitive thinking skills to develop scenarios for the pictures and they use problem solving skills when working out how the images link together. Not only are students practicing their literacy skills, they also have the chance to work on their typing skills. Storybird would be best suited for students working at VELS level 2 and above. Although the site is very user friendly, there are some aspects such as the student account management, which could prove challenging for younger students. It is also necessary that students have a relatively organised level of cognitive thinking and literacy skills in order to form basic ideas and sentences from the artwork.
VELS (VCAA, 2005) defines students working at VELS level 2 of ICT to be able to complete the following aspects. I have also included examples of how Story Bird can develop these skill:
Students begin to explore contemporary ways of communicating ideas and information
o They can display emotions through stories and learn how different ideas can be interpreted by others
Students manipulate text and images to create simple information products for specific audiences
o Students must create a story which flows and links to ideas presented in the text.
o They will practice writing stories for people of different ages, such as young children and adults
Students develop an understanding of the importance of checking the accuracy of facts that are going to be processed this is particularly relevant when students are editing their work
o Students will become aware that the content which they are creating will be shared among a wide audience and therefore
must be edited correctly.
Students are introduced to the simple security strategy of using passwords to protect access to their files when working on a network.
o Used for logging in and managing their account.
The above skills can be easily demonstrated and practiced through incorporating Wall Wisher in the classroom.
References:
www.storybird.com
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). (2005). Victorian Essential Learning Standards: ICT. East Melbourne: VCAA.
www.youtube.com
www.storybird.com
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). (2005). Victorian Essential Learning Standards: ICT. East Melbourne: VCAA.
www.youtube.com