iPad meets iMagination!

Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 1

iPad meets iMagination! Digital

Storytelling in the 21st Century
Project Overview 2
Desired Outcomes 2
Students 2

Teachers 2
Monitoring Outcomes 3
Students 3
Teachers 3
Overall Impact 3
Students 3

Teachers 3
Technology to be Used 3
Teacher Collaboration 3
Higher Order Thinking Skills 4
Expenditure Plan 4
Appendix A: Timeline of Project 5
Appendix B: Student/Teacher Surveys 6
Appendix C: Writing Rubrics 7

Submitted to: Quest Foundation

Date: March 11, 2011

iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 2
Project Overview
The overall goal for this project is to determine if digital story telling can help
improve writing skills of first grade students. With becoming a proficient reader at the
forefront of the first grade classroom, it may seem as if sometimes writing takes a
backseat. When students are asked to get out their writing notebooks the groans begin to
surface and the engagement of students is often lost. Is it because there is no enjoyment
for writing with a paper and pencil? With this project, we intend to change the mindset
about writing in not only students but teachers as well. By infusing technology with the
writing process we hope to enlighten teachers on how enriching a curriculum with
today’s technological tools can not only increase student engagement and attitude
towards writing but also prepare our students for life in the 21st Century.
During this project students will be introduced to using an iPad to create a story
map using an app called Idea Sketch. After creating a story map, they will then use the
iPad to access a site called StoryJumper. This is a website that allows students to create
digital stories. The digital stories will be edited during writer workshop time with a
teacher. The final product will be embedded on each students’ personal blog on KidBlog
which is an online blog site geared towards education. By embedding their stories, they
not only reach a global audience but their peers can view their stories and add feedback
instantly. In addition to using StoryJumper, students will be introduced to PhotoStory.
PhotoStory is similar to StoryJumper but students will be able to narrate their images
using a microphone. In addition, the teacher can select the images that he/she wants the
student to use in PhotoStory. This in turn will require students to use higher order
thinking skills to create stories. For example, a teacher could select an image of car with a
flat tire and include ten other random photos. From these pictures, students will have to
create a story that shows how the flat tire was fixed. Lastly, the PhotoStory stories will be
uploaded to SchoolTube and embedded onto each student’s blog on KidBlog. Please refer
to the time line of implementation in Appendix A.
Data will be collected in the form of surveys (fall/spring), weekly rubrics, District
Writing Assessment (fall/spring), and portfolios of student stories on KidBlog. With
these data tools, triangulation will be possible to ensure that our desired outcomes were
met. In addition, the constant comparative method will be used to highlight any themes
that may emerge providing insight into the impact of digital storytelling on writing
performance. Furthermore, data analysis will allow us to reflect on the National
Education Technology Standards and ensure that we have met all the standards listed.

Desired Outcomes
Students
During this project students will develop an understanding of writing in the 21st
Century and how their imaginations play an important role in this process. Students will
become proficient with using an iPad, story mapping app, StoryJumper, PhotoStory, and
KidBlog. In addition, they will improve their interest in writing as well as develop an
understanding of digital story telling and how collaboration plays a critical role in
creating stories in the 21st Century. These outcomes will be assessed using the surveys
and rubrics (see appendix B & C) in addition to the portfolio created on KidBlog.

Teachers
Teachers will learn how to use an iPad, story mapping app, StoryJumper,
PhotoStory, and KidBlog to enrich the writing curriculum. Through this process, teachers
will improve digital skills such as computing, digital storytelling, audio recording,
uploading, embedding, and digital collaboration. Furthermore, confidence in utilizing
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 3
technology across the curriculum will be improved. This will be assessed by surveys as
well as analyzing student data to ensure that instruction with these technology pieces was
effective and promoted the skills needed by a 21st Century learner and teacher according
the NETS.
Monitoring Outcomes
Student
As previously mentioned, rubrics, surveys and a portfolio created in KidBlog will
help monitor that students are reaching the desired outcomes of this project. Please refer
to the timeline of implementation (see Appendix A) as well as the assessment tools in
appendices B-C. Moreover, our district writing assessment will be used to gauge gains
from fall to spring performance.
Teachers
Teachers will be monitored in a similar way as the students. Surveys (appendix B)
will be collected in the fall and spring. Furthermore, the portfolios created on KidBlog
will be analyzed to ensure that teachers implemented the technology pieces in an
effective and engaging way. Lastly, the district writing assessment will allow teachers to
analyze student improvement and use the constant comparative method to catalog any
emerging themes.
Overall Impact
Student
To determine the impact of this project on student attitudes towards writing and
their performance in writing, many of the data collection tools already mentioned will be
utilized. In addition, the National Education Technology Standards will be used to
determine if the project successfully integrated skills for the 21st Century in a way that
best fits the needs of today’s learners.
Teacher
Teachers will be evaluated based on their survey results from fall/spring as well
as the National Education Technology Standards for teachers. The first grade teachers
will collaborate and analyze the NETS to determine if the desired outcomes were met as
well as if the project could be critiqued for better application in consecutive years.
Furthermore, teachers will mentor one teacher in the school over one of the technology
tools that were utilized during this project.
Technology to be Used
iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper, KidBlog, PhotoStory, SchoolTube and
microphones will be used throughout this project. Essentially the iPad will serve as the
vehicle to create story maps and stories as well as provide feedback to their peers on
KidBlog. By using the KidBlog platform for blogging, it will serve as a tool for creating a
digital portfolio of their work over the course of the school year. PhotoStory and
StoryJumper will be the programs to create and edit digital stories. SchoolTube will serve
as the video tool to upload and embed stories onto KidBlog.

Teacher Collaboration
One of the most critical components to the success of this project will be the
collaboration between the first grade teachers. There will be one day set aside per week to
create lessons, analyze rubrics, rehearse lessons and troubleshoot any issues that arise
with technology and/or students. In addition, one time per month, the first grade team
will reflect on the timeline and ensure that the pacing is correct, data is being collected,
and debrief on any differentiation that needs to occur based on student skills and abilities.
Furthermore, the website Wall Wisher (virtual post it notes) will be used to create,
manage and group any of our questions or concerns about this project. Lastly, impromptu
meetings may be necessary as daily reflections will be made by teachers to evaluate
his/her confidence, implementation and pacing of the overall plan.
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 4

Higher Order Thinking Skills

There will be multiple opportunities for students to use higher order thinking
skills in this project. First, by creating a story map, students will have to use higher order
thinking skills to look at the big picture of writing stories and break the big picture down
into little chunks for their story map. Furthermore, students will have to analyze their
story map when writing on StoryJumper or PhotoStory to ensure that they are
incorporating all the elements of the writing process. While using KidBlog to read their
peers’ stories, students will analyze the work and think critically about the story to
determine if it has a beginning, middle, end, characters, setting, problem, solution, etc.
Lastly, problem solving will be constant as new technology will produce hurdles to
overcome. As with every new technology, there is a learning curve. Students will have to
employ problem solving, analyzing and critical thinking skills throughout this project to
complete assignments. This may seem like a challenging task for first graders but the
skills applied and learned in this project will prepare students to solve real life problem as
they graduate into society.

Sidenote
My original proposal requested Netbooks and would only utilize PhotoStory.
However, in the 21st Century, technology is rapidly changing. Just as technology changes,
I feel that it is imperative that I ensure a project with tools that will appeal to the style of
learners that will be present in my classroom as well as my coworkers. While the overall
goal of improving students’ writing skills with digital story telling has not changed, the
vehicle for facilitating this venture has slightly changed. I greatly appreciate your
consideration for funding my project. My coworkers and I are always eager to embrace
new practices for engaging the learner of the future.

Qwest Foundation Mini-Grant Expenditure Plan

Item Quantity Cost Total

iPad 25 $399 $9975
16GB Wifi
USB Microphone 4 $30 $120
Idea Sketch (iPad 25 Free Free
App)
StoryJumper 4 Teacher Accounts Free Free
KidBlog 4 Teacher Accounts Free Free
PhotoStory 25 Free Free
SchoolTube 1 Teacher Account Free Free
Total $10,095
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 5
Appendix A
Timeline of Project
Date Activity
August 2011 -Collect baseline data from all four first grade classes
-Student surveys and teacher surveys (collect using Google Forms), beginning
rubric (see appendix B-D)
-Teachers collaborate to develop plan for collecting weekly data, introducing iPad,
Idea Sketch and StoryJumper as well as rehearse lessons
September 2011 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Introduce the iPad, Idea Sketch (iPad App for story mapping), StoryJumper (online
website for digital storytelling)
-Administer school district Fall Writing Assessment (enter scores to be referenced
in spring time to determine growth)
October 2011 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper to create stories
-Introduce KidBlog (blog site for students to share stories)
November 2011 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper to create stories
-Introduce how to embed StoryJumper stories onto Kidblog (this will allow students
to read each others and add feedback)
December 2011 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper to create stories and embed them
onto KidBlog
-Introduce Middle Rubric (see Appendix E)
-Introduce PhotoStory and using a microphone (Digital Story program—teacher
will choose pictures for students to create stories)
January 2012 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper and/or PhotoStory to create stories
and embed them onto KidBlog
-Teachers upload stories created using PhotoStory to SchoolTube and embed on
Kidblog
February 2012 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper and/or PhotoStory to create stories
and embed them onto KidBlog
-Teachers upload stories created using PhotoStory to SchoolTube and embed on
Kidblog or embed StoryJumper stories
March 2012 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Introduce Advanced Rubric (Appendix F)
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper and/or PhotoStory to create stories
and embed them onto KidBlog
-Teachers upload stories created using PhotoStory to SchoolTube and embed on
Kidblog or embed StoryJumper stories
April 2012 -Continue collecting weekly rubric data, collaborating with 4 first grade teachers to
plan, troubleshoot, evaluate rubrics, rehearse lessons
-Administer School District Spring Writing Assessment
-Continue using iPad, Idea Sketch, StoryJumper and/or PhotoStory to create stories
and embed them onto KidBlog
-Teachers upload stories created using PhotoStory to SchoolTube and embed on
Kidblog or embed StoryJumper stories
May 2012 -Finalize all data collecting
-Collect final teacher and student surveys (see Appendix B & C)and compare to
initial surveys to determine project success for both students and teachers
-Evaluate Spring District Writing assessment scores to Fall writing assessment
scores—determine if project successful
-Analyze the portfolio of stories created by each student on KidBlog
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 6

Appendix B
Student Survey

Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________________

Directions: Circle the answers below.

1) Do you like to write on your own? Yes No
2) Do you think you are a good writer? Yes No
3) Do you like to share what you write? Yes No
4) Do you know what digital story telling is? Yes No
5) Do you know what a blog is? Yes No
6) Do you know what PhotoStory is? Yes No
7) Do you know what story mapping is? Yes No
8) Do you know what an iPad is? Yes No
9) Do you know how to record on a computer? Yes No
10) Do you know how to use capitalization and Yes No
punctuation on a computer?

Teacher Survey
1) Do you like teaching the writing process? Yes No
2) Do you know what digital story telling is? Yes No
3) Do you know how to use KidBlog? Yes No
4) Do you know how to use PhotoStory? Yes No
5) Do you know how to use an iPad Yes No
6) Do you know any digital tools to story map? Yes No
7) Do you know how to upload videos to SchoolTube Yes No
8) Do you know how to embed videos? Yes No
9) Do you know how to record audio on a computer? Yes No
10) Do you know how to use StoryJumper? Yes No
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 7
Appendix C
Beginner Writing Rubric Middle Writing Rubric
1. I started each sentence with a capital 4. I started each
letter. sentence with a
capital letter and
finished each sentence with an end
mark.
?.!
2. There are end marks to finish my
sentences.
2. My work is neat because I wrote on the
?.! lines and left spaces between the words.

3. My letters are on the lines.

3. My sight words are spelled correctly and

I did my best to sound out words.

4. I put space between my words.

4. I read over my work and I am proud.

Advanced Writing Rubric

1. My writing has a clear beginning, middle, and end that tell events in order.

2. I started each sentence with a different word.

Then
After
Next

3. I used details to make my writing interesting.

Idea

4. I read over my work to make sure it was the best I could do.
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 8

Qwest Foundation Mini Grant Program

Application Contact Sheet

Project Title: iPad meets iMagination. Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century
Amount of Request: $ 10,000

District Name: Iowa City Community School District

Contact Person (Name): Andrew Fenstermaker

Address: 350 E. Penn St.
City, State Zip: North Liberty, IA 52317
Phone number: 319-688-1150
Email Address: fenstermaker.andrew@iccsd.k12.ia.us

Additional Applicant(s) Information:

Name Position Years of Experience
Jennifer Lorch First Grade Teacher 3
Sherri Clemence First Grade Teacher 8
Angie Shive First Grade Teacher 2
Andrew Fenstermaker First Grade Teacher 4
iPad meets iMagination! Digital Storytelling in the 21st Century 9