Running head: TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

Kim Hall
EDU352: Foundations of Educational Technology
Prof. Lisa Sill
June 22, 2015

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

The educational technology tool I chose was Storybird (www.storybird.com). Storybird

is an interactive platform for students to write using visual artwork created by illustrators and
animators around the world. In addition, it is easy to use, free, and engaging for all students
regardless of age or academic ability. Further, it is useful for educators as it promotes literacy
development, can enhance curriculum, sparks creativity, and can be easily be monitored.
The lesson objective is that students will brainstorm ideas from pictures and write a
fictional story using Storybirds website. Students will learn how to write a story that has a
beginning, middle, and end. In addition, students will utilize technology to demonstrate their
ability to research, use critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Students who are
exposed to online tools such as Storybird learn how to express and share emotions with their
audience in the 21st century (Prairienet.org). Storybird encourages creativity while supporting
collaboration and also allows for viewing of the story by printing, watching on the screen, or
online.
The lesson plan has been created with 6th grade students in the area of literacy and writing
to create and present information in a digital format. The lesson plan incorporates the Common
Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy W.K.-6.6 with guidance and support from adults,
use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with
peers. After discussing lesson plan with students, including story elements and writing
techniques as well as the assignment rubric, the teacher will select ten artworks from Storybird
and will place them in an order that tells a story. Students will then access those ten images and
create a story to go with the images. In addition the following CCSS is practiced, CCSS.ELALiteracy W.K.-6.3 write narratives to develop real or imaged experiences or events using
effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. The lesson plan incorporates

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

both of the CCSS as each student will create their own unique story using the same set of
pictures, collaborate with peers, and work on developing real or imaged events to create a story.
The end result of the lesson plan is that students have successfully brainstormed and created a
fictional story using Storybird website with illustrations.
I chose this educational technology tool as it aligns precisely with integrating technology
into the curriculum as the CCSS dictates. Storybird empowers students to create, present, and
publish online their own creative writing as well as being used to work collaboratively with peers
if desired. Storybird gives students an opportunity to work on and use a variety of techniques
throughout their writing process to create an effective story.
In regards to the tutorial, I chose to teach Storybird the way I did because it benefits
visual learners who need to see step by step instructions for clarity. Here is a copy of the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2YiP2Atq2o&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
To begin, an account for Storybird needs to be created if you do not already own one.
After typing in the website name, you will be presented with the option of signing in or creating
an account. To create an account, click on Sign-up for Free. The website will ask you if you
want to sign up for a regular user, teacher, or student. For this activity, I chose student. The next
screen asks for a username, email address, and password. Once you have completed those steps,
click on Create Account. If you selected student, you are taken to a screen that ask for your
avatar picture where you can upload a photo of yourself from your computer. Once you have
completed these steps it will take you to the recently added artwork from artists.
To create a story a student will consider the topic at hand and choose artwork that they
believe will help create their story. To start, click on Write at the top of the screen to view the
images or use the search engine at the bottom left corner for additional images. Once you locate

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

an image tap the use this art button, select a book format, and the images will load into the
editor. Once you are in the editor, the white space area is where you will write your story and
drag and drop images that you want to include. To add additional frames click on the + button
on the bottom right of the menu bar. Use the menu at the bottom of the page to "Save and Close"
a book that's unfinished. Select "Publish" when you're done. Once you have completed your
book, you can share it privately or publically. An important feature of Storybird is that you can
edit your book as often as you like by clicking on the Details button which contains the
information about your story. To edit your book, tap the Settings icon, choose Edit story and
you will be taken to the editor portion of the book where you can make changes to the story or
images. When all edits and changes have been completed, the final step is to publish the book as
indicated above in the directions.
Finally, if a persons book is to be publically-shared it is important to remember that the
books are moderated which means during the moderated timeframe books will need to approved
before they appear in a persons profile. Essentially, Storybird views the books to make sure that
no violations, misconduct, or inappropriateness occurs inadvertently.
There are three ways to use the tool in teaching. One way is to create a Storybird Studio
that allows an educator to create a dashboard to allow a teacher to review student work. Another
way that Storybird is useful to a teacher is assigning an assignment. A teacher can assign a
thematic challenge such as what will you do over the summer and have all the students write a
story on the same subject. Finally, Storybird can be used to collaborate with other students as
they work on a shared book story. Storybird is not just about individual work by one author but
can be a cooperative learning project that focuses on practicing 21st century skills such as

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

problem solving, critical thinking, and team building. Specifically, it would be interesting to
collaborate with other students around the world on one story book theme.

TEACHING AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOL

References
Prairienet.org. Digital storytelling in the classroom. Retrieved from
http://www.prairienet.org/op/stories/the-importance-of-digital-storytelling/digital-storytelling-inthe-classroom/
Storybird.com Retrieved from www.storybird.com