Week 6 - Digital Storytelling

(October 5th)


This week we have been looking at Māori storytelling and a variety of student made videos. Through these videos we have been thinking about what skills and tools would be needed for making, filming, and editing the videos. I then questioned how I would assess these skills in relation to the early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki. Here are my reflections about two of the videos:

Zombie Horror

In Zombie horror, the students had used a wide range of editing and filming techniques including cuts, fades, various camera angles, slow motion, dialogue, audio, and music. This displayed many ICT skills they would have needed to film (knowing how to use a camera) and edit (using technology and software) to make the video. The students would have also brainstormed their video idea, planned scenes, and allocated roles and dialogue for each character. There would have been a lot of team work, discussion, and planning/organisation prior to filming the video. 

Whakapumau Horror Flick

Whakapumau Horror Flick was very similar as it displayed many of the same filming and editing techniques. They also included black and white scenes as well as colour which showed more editing skills. Like the Zombie Horror video, the students would have planned and discussed roles, scenes, dialogue, and characters before filming. They clearly displayed their use and knowledge of how to use a camera and various editing skills.


In relation to early childhood education and curriculum, both of these videos could be assessed on empowerment (student lead), relationships (focusing on peer relationships), contribution (working as a team and sharing thoughts and ideas), and communication (communicating effectively verbally and through stories and symbolism).

In an early childhood setting I might use digital story telling when recalling or reenacting past events or situations that a child remembers or wants to look back on. This could include class trips, a special memory, a family holiday etc that a child wants to recreate. A young child may also like to video their dramatic play or something they have created that they wish to be able to view at a later time.



- Renee O'Sullivan

Week 5 - Microblogging / hashtags

(September 21st)

This week our technology class looked at the following article:
http://www.educationreview.co.nz/magazine/july-2/home-tweet-home/#.VgI9t_mqqkq

It suggests that teachers in New Zealand can use websites like Twitter for microblogging, hashtaging, and keeping in touch with various education resources around the world. Getting involved with social media sites like Twitter allows you to get involved as much or as little as you like. By using hashtags, you are able to group information together, gather various opinions on the topic, and get ideas from people all over the world. 

Jude Barback (author of the article above) wants to encourage New Zealand teachers to keep in touch with what is happening in New Zealand education. She took her ideas to Twitter and created the hashtag #edchatNZ. This hashtag allows people to share and discuss any information they like to other people interested in this topic. By creating this hashtag teachers throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world can come together to share their resources, information, ideas, opinions, tips, and any other information in relation to New Zealand education. The hashtag allows all the 'tweets' (or posts) about this topic to be stored in one place for people to view.

While I already have a Twitter account and often use hashtags to keep up with certain topics or information, I have never considered using it for my role as a teacher. It is so easy for us to share our thoughts and opinions with the world online. Twitter can allow us to get a response or a 'retweet' in seconds!! The idea of hashtags could really help future focused and technology using teachers to gather information and share their ideas with others. I will definitely be keeping my eye on #edchatnz and using more hashtags to group my information and thoughts together.


- Renee O'Sullivan