Digital+Camera



=Frolicking with PhotoStory3: Social Stories Shape Behavior=

media type="file" key="magicfive.wmv" width="300" height="300"

media type="file" key="takingturns.wmv" width="300" height="300"

= Summary =


 * __Technology Standards Addressed:__**

MTTS (II.B.3) Communication: Use technology to communicate in a variety of formats (Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online.) MTTS (III.1-4) Legal, Social and Ethical Issues: Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, social and ethical issues related to technology use. MTTS (V. 2) Integrating Technology into the Curriculum: Evaluate technology materials and media to determine their most appropriate instructional use. MTTS (V.3) Integrating Technology into the Curriculum: Select and apply research-based practices for integrating technology into instruction. MTTS (V. 4) Integrating Technology into the Curriculum: Use appropriate instructional strategies for integrating technology into instruction. MTTS (V. 5) Integrating Technology into the Curriculum: Select and use appropriate technology to support content-specific student learning outcomes. MTTS (VII. 3) Professional Development: Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practices and emerging technologies to support student learning MTTS (VII.4) Professional Development: Identify local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and learning.

MTLSS (Standard 2-Digital Citizenship/Legal and Ethical Uses: Practice responsible and appropriate use of technology systems, software, and information) B. 2: Demonstrate an understanding of current legal standards B. 3: Understand current online safety standards

MTLSS (Standard 3-Technology for Learning and Collaborating: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration) A.1.a Use technology tools, including software and hardware, from a range of teacher-selected options to learn new content or reinforce skills A.1.b Explain how selected technology tools are being used to support learning A.1.c Reflect as an individual on appropriateness of selected technology for a given task A.1.e Assess the use of the selected technology for the individual learning for the specific task B.1.b: Work cooperatively and collaboratively with others when using technology in the classroom

MTLSS (Standard 4-Technology for Communication and Expression: Use technology to communicate information) A.1.c Present information, independently or with assistance, to various audiences including school and community A.2.a Communicate independently with various audiences, using different media formats

**__Description:__**

Using the PowerShot, I took pictures of students, literally "catching them being good." I use a countdown to readiness for listening called "Magic 5" where their hands, feet/legs, ears, mouths, and eyes all have a "right thing" to be doing. Certain Pre-K, kindergarten, and special needs students needed more reminders than others about getting their bodies under control, so I thought a PhotoStory might make more impact on them and could be replayed by their classroom regular educator and/or special educator as needed.

Working with some fifth graders, they browsed a resource book of social stories for special needs students such as those at our school and chose a topic of interest to them to do other PhotoStory 3 presentations to archive and use as needed in future years. One special educator in particular requested one to be done on waiting one's turn...a lesson we might want to spread on the Beltway or freeways in LA.

**__Reflection:__**

The main frustration we had was with the pictures. Many of the scenes we wanted to portray should have been vertical rather than horizontal...but PhotoStory 3 will not accommodate that. Also, after we cropped certain photos to show only the parts we wanted, the software cut the heads off when the black borders were removed since it apparently is programmed to keep the ratio aspect constant. So we "made do" with photos that would not have been our first choices due to the limitations of the free program.

In addition, I had quite a time troubleshooting the recorded audio portion of my video. I was unable to hear myself using the issued headphone set on both my school laptop and desktop, so I then tried a microphone that we already had at school and was still unsuccessful. I assumed it was user error since that was the constant! But I tried again on my home computer (old, raggedy Best Buy purchase) and was able to put in narration...so I took myself out of the failure equation. I think the volume was too high on my soundtrack before so my voice was really there but not loud enough to be heard over it. I could have used some better help from the Help Section since I saw a speech bubble on my slides yet did not see an explanation anywhere for that icon. There were also some confusing messages on the laptop when I went back to make sure it worked at school as well as at home. Learning curve on both the software and issued hardware.

All in all, the students enjoyed doing this project and see the value these social stories will have for our younger students and our intensive resource classes. They are looking forward to making more PhotoStories and teaching their classmates since they are now the experts in this area. The special educators are quite thrilled in anticipation of using these products with their students.