This lesson digs into digital storytelling for both instructional and assessment purposes. Students deepen their understanding of a concept, but storytelling encourages students to develop their creativity and communication skills. The concept of digital storytelling is not new to me as an educator, but it is not something I use frequently. Students record themselves during our Nuclear Energy Debate unit, but we do not do many other storytelling activities. I have used the website Storyboard That in the past as an enrichment activity, not an assessment. Using a rubric will allow students to express their understanding, stretch their creativity, and let me assess their knowledge. All of my students have 1:1 school-issued Chromebooks. These Chromebooks can access the Storyboard That website. Currently, my students only have access to the free version, which limits the images, voice recording aspect, and a few other features. PhET is a free virtual simulation software available to all st...
thoughts from a middle school scienc teacher