Google Story Builder

I recently stumbled upon Google Story Builder and found it to be a great way to engage students in writing while applying an understanding of a concept or story line. If Google Story Builder is new to you, it basically allows users to create short video stories that appear to be done inside of a Google Document while collaborating with others. Students create characters, develop their lines that show the interaction, explanation, or plot, add music, and save as a video. In this post I wanted to share a short demonstration of how Google Story Builder works along with some ideas for using this collaborative writing tool in the classroom.

To begin, simply go to http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/.  You will see a screen similar to this one:

 

Click the “Get started” button to start writing your story.

The first thing your story requires is characters.  I chose myself, my dog Lucy, and my daughters as characters for this story, then clicked the “Write story” button.

Now the writing begins.  Simply type a sentence or two to start your story.  As the image below shows, I wrote “Lucy, I can’t believe what a good dog you are.” From there, I switched to my daughters and had their replies.

Once finished, I chose to “Add music” and then “Finish up.” 

Educational Relevance

My first thought after using Google Story Builder is that students will love it. The program facilitates idea building and story writing, but on top of that, encourages peer editing, self-correction, and most of all, collaboration! Google Story Builder allows children to discuss, create, edit and share ideas on one site. The site allows the children to go through the writing process in one step. They write, edit, collaborate and publish all within one site! I can see this tool being used at almost any grade level and content area. Students can use to demonstrate their knowledge on a variety of topics while working independently or in groups. I also like the fact that the end result can be shared with a larger audience, which is a key component in getting students to put more time and effort into writing. Here is an example of a student version of Google Story Builder

http://goo.gl/ynIe5w

What ways can you or your students use Google Story Builder?


Important things to know:

Cannot edit once published- Once the story is published, it isn’t accessible to revise.

Cannot Save- If the students are going to use the same story to enhance their writing, they may want to copy and paste the story into a doc to save for the next topic. They can then re-insert the text into the appropriate character’s box and edit it as necessary.

It is a single sitting application- The story must be published within a single day, as the app doesn’t allow for saving.

Once finished with their story, they will email the link created to their teacher and the other students in the class. This way, the students can view their peer’s stories. The groups will be expected to present and discuss their stories to the class.

Be sure to check out their samples on the start page of Google Story Builder.

Students Receive GMail Accounts

This year RRISD has introduced Google Apps for Education, GAFE, for elementary students in grades 2-5. These accounts give students access to an email account and Gooogle Apps that include Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sites, and the Chrome Store. 

Student activity is monitored using a tool called Gaggle which will let teachers and administrators know if problems arise. Student accounts are for educational purposes only.
 
Students may use their Google Drive accounts to work on some of their assignments at home and to work collaboratively with their peers. Teachers can communicate easily with students and give them specific and timely feedback.
 
Here are some of the capabilities:

• Gmail: Students may email their teachers. Currently, student to student email is disabled, and students cannot be emailed by anyone outside RRISD.

• Google Drive: Students can create, edit, and collaborate on documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and drawings with their teachers and peers. Google Drive is available anywhere the student has access to the internet.

• Google Calendar: Students may create and use electronic calendars.

• Google Sites: Students may create web sites that are managed by RRISD.

• Chrome Store: District approved apps and extensions are available in the Chrome Store. These educational apps may be added to enhance productivity and student achievement.

The fun part of all this is to see the students' total involvement when we introduce it to them. Mrs. Gros sent a letter to all her students.  Read her email to her students below and the precious reply she received.

Hello My Sweet Second Graders,

I am excited to tell you that you have your very own school e-mail account to use for learning at school.  I think this is going to be a fun way to learn at home and school. Please respond to me and send me a note! 

Love,
Mrs. Gros

Student's actual reply:  

dear Mrs.Gros,

Thank you Ms.Gros for letting me have my first Gmail acount! I love you!

Tech Tuesday is making teachers Tech Savvy

Gareth Cook, 4th grade teacher at Caraway, with his love of technology, has volunteered his time to spread his knowledge to all the teachers at Caraway Elementary on Tuesday afternoons.  
Yesterday, he joined teachers in the computer lab and served as a help desk for teachers who are having trouble with various things regarding technology, including Google and our new IXL math online program with student log ons. In previous weeks, they worked on setting up Google Calendars, and filters and labels for g-mail."