A New Issue of Midlink has been Published…Check It Out!

That’s right… a new issue of Midlink has been published thanks to our technical editor, Glenn Gurley. This issue, our July-December 2007 issue, contains projects that are loosely tied around the concept of Digital Storytelling.

I’d like to focus on one of the projects in the new issue this morning. Find a Story…Map a Story…Tell a Story was created by our Senior Editor, Brenda Dyck, Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. In this project, Brenda outlines a means to have students develop a storyline around a specific map and places on this this map. This model Web 2.0 project involves the use of first identifying the location of the story focus, development of the map using tools such as Community Walk, Wayfaring or Google Maps, and finally, elaborating on specific places on the map using text and images to develop a story.

This outstanding project requires learning how to use a Web 2.0 online mapping tool, development of a cohesive story around places on a map, and integration of photos and text. Brenda includes a rubric for this project. One of the aspects I love about this project is that it involves using digital means to give life to a location that holds a special memory or meaning. I think that most of us could think of a location that holds special meaning to us. I can imagine that in a classroom, development of a story around a memory would allow students to work on many aspects of literacy in a 21st Century medium making the story more meaningful and relevant.

To fully appreciate the possibilities of this project, check out the example that Brenda gives on her website.

Some other thoughts that I have regarding how this project might be replicated:

– One could use this same model to create a historical narrative using a map to accurately place the story in context.

– Students could create a short bibliographic narrative about a historical figure, once again, using the map as a means to put the narrative in context.

– As a science teacher and scientist by training, I can not resist. How about having students relate the migration or extinction of a species using this same model?

Do you have other ideas? We would love to hear from you. Just comment on this post to share your thoughts.

Interested in collaborating with Brenda or simply getting some pointers on how to incorporate this project into your curriculum, please e-mail her. A primary facet of Midlink is to reach out to others with our project ideas.

Finally, as an aside, Brenda was recently interviewed by the NSBA, National School Boards Association, regarding her thoughts about professional development for teachers around the use of 21st Century Tools. Listening to this podcast may give you some insight regarding the depth of her knowledge and passion for educational technology: http://www.nsba. org/t+l/audio/ BrendaDyck. mp3 . Congratulations, Brenda, on this interview. I’m hoping we can shore up our plans for a future podcast on this blog where we can explore your ideas about integration of Web 2.0 into the classroom.