2009

Backstory to The Wizard of Apps

By Joyce Valenza ⋅ December 7, 2009 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

(This post by Joyce Valenza provides the “backstory” to her Getting Started Keynote: “The Wizard of Apps.”)

Before I begin this post, please make sure that when you view our video, you go past the credits to see the message at the end.  Access to the information and communication tools of our time AT SCHOOL is an intellectual freedom issue, an issue worth fighting for.

Here’s the back story on our keynote:

The story is not far from true.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, in Springfield, I was sitting in one of our computer labs getting ready for a class, when the kids from Theatre II came in to finish up a scripting project.   I was probably looking a little sad, because the kids asked me what was wrong.

I told them about my dilemma.  It was, in fact, this very conference that presented the problem: how to present from a distance and be somehow informative, personal, and entertaining.

In typical Andy Hardy-style, the students’ solution was, “Let’s put on a show.” (See www.imdb.com/title/tt0030386/)

They wondered, “Who will see the show?”

I described an audience far bigger than our auditorium.

“How big?” they asked?

“Global,” I said.

“We’re in,” they said.

We immediately set up a Google Docs script. Fourteen students began brainstorming.  After the lively brainstorming came songwriting and scripting, guided by two teachers–me and Marlene, our drama teacher.  That script was visited at all hours, day and night for a couple of weeks. Students regularly ran into the library and emailed me asking me if I saw their updates.  They also ran in to develop and practice their own choreography and to block scenes.

After a while, Dan Meder’s Digital Storytelling class—used to producing for authentic local clients–joined the project to help with storyboarding for film.  Individual students emerged as camera people (M.J. and Maya) and Maggie assumed leadership as director.

Ian, our LiveType expert, offered to create the sing-along effect.

So, what did we learn along the road?

My students demonstrated their 2.0 learning, learning styles, and philosophy in their lyrics, scripting, choreography, editing, and production.

I learned how much a global audience could motivate my students.  And I learned that my students were really hearing me.

Our collaboration could not have been more positive.  I watched as students and teachers shared, discovered, and celebrated each others’ creativity and talents.

Indeed, we worked together to solve a real problem.

Please share your feedback with our learners!

On this day..

• K12Online LAN Party Dec 7 - Virtually Vancouver! - 2009
• K12Online09 Day 1 Presentations: 7 December 2009 - 2009
• Organizational Learning and Technology Collide - 2009
• LEADING THE CHANGE KEYNOTE
  Self-driven and Classroom-based: Professional Development in the 21st Century - 2009
• Little Kids, Big Possibilities - 2009
• GETTING STARTED KEYNOTE
  The Wizard of Apps - 2009
• Teaser video for Show & Tell: Exhibit, Reflect & Critique with Blogs - 2009