BYTE MARKS
Hawai'i schoolchildren using digital devices to create stories
By Burt Lum
Digital storytelling is fertile ground for creativity in our schools. This struck me while I attended a presentation by the advanced research technology group of the state Department of Education.
Vicki Kajioka and her team have the primary responsibility of researching and disseminating information on emerging technologies that support instructional learning in public schools.
This includes distance learning, e-learning, digital media arts and other Internet related initiatives. Of particular interest to me was the work done to create Island Movie.
Island Movie, found at islandmovie.k12.hi.us, could never be done when I was in school. The technologies that enable the creation of stories using digital video were not easily accessible.
Nowadays, the choices for digital capture are dizzying. Digital cameras, MP3 recorders, DVD burners and editing software are all available to the consumer.
The challenge now, given the tools, is to create compelling content.
Along with an associated project called Digital Media Arts, Island Movie showcases the works produced by our island students. See http://islandmovie.k12.hi.us/ for details.
All the entries for the 2003 Island Movie Contest are available for viewing.
Each of the contestants storyboarded, acted, narrated, edited and produced their own videos. Having to judge these works was an unenviable task, shouldered by Kajioka's team.
Everyone is a winner in their own right.
Some of my favorites included: Mo'olelo o Maui (Kapolei Elementary School), Mochitsuki (Maui High School), Daphnia: Searching for its Heart (Halau Lokahi), Kaho'olawe (Wai'anae High School), Little Invaders (Pearlridge Middle School).
I've always professed content is king. Whether it's content for the Web, the makings of a digital short story or a full-length movie, the process starts with learning the skills to tell a story with digital tools, tools which are becoming easily accessible and affordable.
The next set of Island Movie Contest winners will be announced at the upcoming e-School Conference (http://econference.k12.hi.us) to be held Feb.3-4 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
Prepare to be impressed. I've never been disappointed.
More often, I'm surprised by the insights of our young people.
Burt Lum is one click away at www.brouhaha.net.
