Digital Story (Reflection of Portfolio)

Project Link: https://app.animaker.com/animo/dUWfyWJvF77lXUK7/ 

Project Planning: 

For my planning process, I wrote a script. As a language arts teacher, this is the best way for me to plan and visualize in my head. 

This creative digital story script blends elements of fantasy and education, using SAMR, Triple E Framework, and TPACK as the guiding principles. The narrative allows for a visually captivating and imaginative exploration of the concepts, making the learning journey both informative and entertaining.

Title: "Digital Horizons: A Journey through Tech Mastery"

Introduction:

Meet Kelsey, a passionate educator stepping into the world of technology through her EDTE 650 Master's course. As Kelsey delves into the program, she encounters three whimsical guides: Sam, the SAMR Wizard; Trina, the Triple E Explorer; and Theo, the TPACK Time-Traveler. Together, they embark on a magical journey through the digital realm.

Act 1: SAMR Wizard's Challenge

Sam, a wise wizard with a hat adorned with SAMR levels, challenges Kelsey to transform a traditional lesson using the SAMR model. Each SAMR level becomes a portal to a different realm—Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. As Kelsey progresses, she witnesses the evolution of a lesson from basic substitution to the transformative power of redefinition, where technology reshapes the entire learning experience.

Act 2: Triple E Explorer's Quest

Trina, an adventurous explorer with a tablet-shaped compass, takes Kelsey on a quest to enhance, engage, and extend learning using the Triple E Framework. Together, they navigate through Engageopolis, Enhanceshire, and Extendonia, encountering challenges that prompt Kelsey to infuse technology into lessons in a way that captivates, enriches, and extends the learning experience far beyond the classroom.

Act 3: TPACK Time-Traveler's Odyssey

Theo, a quirky time-traveler with a suitcase full of tech gadgets, invites Kelsey on a journey through time to explore the intersection of Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge (TPACK). In each era, Kelsey witnesses how the fusion of technology, effective teaching strategies, and subject matter expertise creates a harmonious symphony of learning experiences.

Climax: The Integration Nexus

As the journey unfolds, Kelsey realizes that the true magic lies in the integration of SAMR, Triple E, and TPACK. The guides join forces, and Kelsey discovers the sweet spot where technology enhances teaching strategies, engages students in meaningful ways, and aligns seamlessly with the subject matter.

Conclusion: A Master's Odyssey

Kelsey returns from the digital odyssey with newfound wisdom and a magical artifact—the Digital Blaster of Mastery. The story concludes with Kelsey, now a tech-savvy wizard, ready to enchant the educational landscape, casting spells of innovation, engagement, and effective technology integration.

Product: 

https://app.animaker.com/animo/dUWfyWJvF77lXUK7/ 

I could not export this without upgrading, but I’m hoping the link will suffice as I spent many hours on this project. 

A couple other notes: I was unable to record my own voice due to illness and sleeping children at night when I did my homework. I did use different voices through Animaker though. I also made the creative decision to leave out music. It competed with the story I was trying to tell and took away from the overall project. 

Reflection: 

Creating the digital story "Digital Horizons: A Journey through Tech Mastery" was an engaging and reflective process that involved careful planning, a deep understanding of the ISTE standards, and an exploration of the SAMR, Triple E Framework, and TPACK models. As I envisioned this project, my primary goal was to not only incorporate these frameworks seamlessly into the narrative but also to represent the transformative journey that I underwent due to EDTE 650.

In terms of planning, I drew inspiration from readings such as "Learning First, Technology Second: The Educator’s Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons" by Liz Kolb. This book delves into the Triple E Framework, emphasizing the importance of engaging, enhancing, and extending learning through technology. Kolb's insights greatly influenced the structure of the Triple E Explorer's Quest in the digital story, where engagement, enhancement, and extension were depicted as distinct realms.

The ISTE standards played a pivotal role in shaping the overall approach to the project. Specifically, ISTE's standards for educators highlight the importance of designing authentic, learner-driven experiences (ISTE Standards for Educators, Standard 5). The digital story aimed to embody this by providing a narrative that not only showcases the integration of technology but also emphasizes the learner's agency and growth throughout the journey.

The use of SAMR, Triple E Framework, and TPACK as guiding principles added depth and structure to the narrative. Each acted as a beacon, guiding the protagonist through different stages of the digital story, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of technology integration. For instance, the SAMR Wizard's Challenge showcased the progression from substitution to redefinition, aligning with the idea of transformative technology use.

Thinking about the broader implications for student learning, digital storytelling offers a multifaceted approach to education. As students engage with narratives, they are not only exposed to content but also to the integration of technology in a meaningful context. This aligns with ISTE standards for students, promoting creative communication, critical thinking, and global collaboration (ISTE Standards for Students).

Moving forward, challenges may arise in adapting the digital story to various learning styles and levels. Addressing diverse student needs and ensuring accessibility is crucial. Additionally, ongoing professional development for educators is essential, aligning with ISTE Standards for Educators (ISTE Standards for Educators, Standard 5).

New opportunities may arise in expanding this concept to interactive and immersive formats, allowing students to actively participate in the protagonist's journey. Additionally, the digital story could serve as a model for educators to create their own narratives, fostering a community of practice centered around effective technology integration (ISTE Standards for Educators, Standard 6).

In conclusion, the creation of "Digital Horizons" was an enriching experience that not only represented the integration of technology frameworks but also aimed to inspire educators on their own transformative journey. By aligning with ISTE standards, the digital story serves as a creative and informative resource, demonstrating the potential for technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences. As technology continues to evolve, the digital story stands as a testament to the ever-expanding horizons of educational possibilities.