Emily James
Description
I found Zooburst through Web 2.0 for the classroom. Zooburst is a website that lets students create their own interactive pop-up book. They can add images to the book or the background, as well as change the colors to fit whatever scene they are trying to create. In addition to writing their own story, Zooburst allows for the students to narrate it by recording with a microphone. After the user has finished the story, they can publish it and it will turn into a short video that can be shared wherever and with whoever they want.
Possible Usage
This is a great website to use to encourage creativity among students. It can be used to create an original story, or for a retelling of a story in order to assess the student’s comprehension. I think that Creativity and imagination are very important, and I want my students to have a great sense of both of those traits. Creativity show that the students can think independently, and imagination helps to develop innovative ideas. Zoobust can be used for most ages, as long as the younger ages get some help since it might be more difficult for them.
Bloom's Taxonomy and Rationale
Zooburst falls under the create section of Bloom’s taxonomy because it requires students to be creative and imaginative. Students can create their own story and show that themes, or a retelling of a story in order to show that they understand the morals and themes of the story. By creating their own story, they also demonstrate that the can create new and original themes in stories, which requires higher level thinking.
ISTE-S Standard and Rationale
1) Creativity and innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
This ISTE standard works well with Zooburst because I can use Zooburst to have the students create their own story. For younger ages, the teacher could assist them, or the computer lab teacher. The students could even split up into groups and work together. Another idea would be that parents could come in and help out with projects that required more difficult technology. It would be a great way to get parents involved, and allow them to see what their kids are learning.
Criteria Selection
One of my criteria for selecting a tool was that it was entertaining for the students. It needs to be entertaining in order to hold their attention, but also cannot be too complicated. If it is too hard to use, then the students will get frustrated and lose interest. Zooburst is very entertaining because the students can add so many different components to their story; sound, images, colors, and words. It is not too complicated and is very easy to use, so there is little potential for the students to get frustrated. Another criteria I considered was that if it is not completely free, it has a free option that doesn’t limit the user too much. Zooburst isn’t completely free, but it does allow free users to have access to a fair amount of the website. The students still have access to all the basic tools for developing a story, all of the images and the ability to change the colors of the background, and they can still share their work. They cannot be able to record themselves unless they pay for the full version, but for 3rd grade that might be too complicated. It should also encourage creativity and use of imagination.
ALCOS and Rationale
The following is the 3rd requirement for the English Language Arts course of study.
24.) Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. [W.3.3]
a. Establish a situation and introduce a narrator, characters, or both; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. [W.3.3a]
b. Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations. [W.3.3b]
c. Use temporal words and phrases to signal event order. [W.3.3c]
d. Provide a sense of closure. [W.3.3d]
When I assign the project to my class, I can design a rubric that incorporates this section of ALCOS. Since it is for a younger age group, I would make an analytical rubric and rephrase the language so an elementary student would be able to use it. The perfect project will incorporate all of these requirements, which will show that they have mastered this sections of ALCOS. This will also be a good way for me to see what areas the students are struggling with, and how I can alter my teaching so that they will all be able to master this section of ALCOS.
Importance of Zooburst
Zooburst shows off how I will push my kids to be as creative as possible in my classroom, and how I will incorporate fun in my classroom.