Storybird

This week my group and I were able to teach the class how to use a very useful Web 2.0 Tool, Storybird.  Storybird is a tool that allows you to create virtual storybooks online.  The stories can then be looked at on the site with computers or other digital devices, or print versions can be ordered and mailed to the creator.  The stories can also be shared online.

Considering that my group was made up of elementary teacher education students we all found the tool to be really useful.  We enjoyed learning how to use and teaching the class to use it.  We all thought that are lesson went quite well.  We split up the task between the three of us and each took turns talking to the class while the others walked around the class and made sure everyone was staying on task.  Our students followed our directions really well and kept up with the lesson.

Selden started out our presentation by introducing the class to the tool and telling them about it.  She then showed them an example Storybird.  She also made sure made sure that everyone had created their accounts as we had instructed a few days before, and that everyone was logged in and ready to work.  I then took over and guided them through the process of creating a Storybird.  Emily finished up the presentation by telling the class the uses, strengths, and weaknesses of the tool.

I thought the whole group did a great job of presenting, and really felt that our preparation had made for a successful lesson.  I think we got our points across quite nicely.  Storybird is a great and useful tool, especially for Elementary teachers.  We were able to teach them how to create their own Storybirds, and how to publish and share them.  Most importantly we were able to tell them how they could use it, and what limitations that it had.  Without adequate preparation and research on the tool we could not have done this.  I hope that our class is able to take advantage of this tool in the future!