When it comes to publishing and sharing student-created stories, there are more hardware, software and web tool options that one person can ever plan on learning. Here are a few of my thoughts and favorites. Use the link to the left to add your own favorite tools to the list.



Quicktime Pro is an inexpensive and easy to use recording solution for Mac and Windows. I've found many times where the no-fuss interface of QT Pro made it easier for students to focus on the story rather than the bells and whistles of sound effects and audio enhancers.

A solution I still use for many audio projects is an iPod with an attached Microphone. Three options for iPod mics are the Belkin TuneTalk, the Griffin iTalk and the new Mikey from Blue Microphones.

Garageband comes installed on every new Mac and can be used to create audio recordings, podcasts and to add audio to a movie file.

USB Mics are a good addition if you plan on recording regularly. A few to consider are the Logitech USB Mic (inexpensive) , Blue Microphone Snowball (good for individual and group recordings) and Snowflake (small and portable), Samson Q1U or C01U (excellent sound quality) and Rode Podcaster (professional mic with ability to monitor audio)




A big part of many digital storytelling projects are the images and visuals that help paint the picture. Attached at the bottom of this page are handouts that give basic instruction in camera use and tips on taking good photos.

Tools to use in telling stories with pictures include:

• iPhoto Storybooks
  
• ComicLife illustrated comics
• iMovie videos (see the attachments below for a handout on the digital video process)
  
• Keynote slideshows
• Pages short stories

Finding pictures to use online is another option. Some good resources for copyright friendly images include:

• Pics4Learning
• Creative Commons Image Search on Flickr

Building stories together with others online is a new twist on group writing. A few projects and tools to consider include:

• Using Twitter to write collaborative stories such as this one created by middle school students and featured on NPR. You can also follow and contribute to an ongoing Story Spine on Twitter. Visit the Storyspine website to learn more.
  
• Writing stories in Google Docs. This works well for collaborative writing teams formed from students in different classes. One way to do this is to assign students roles in the writing assignment. Have one student work as the copywriter (responsible for writing the basic frame of the story), one as the editor (responsible for correcting grammar, spelling and punctuation errors), and one as the color commentator (responsible for adding details and descriptive passages). Rotate jobs often so students get a chance to work in all three roles.
• Creating online storybooks or video collections using VoiceThread. Students can create individual or group stories with images, text, video, and audio .and leave comments or feedback for one another.
  

To share stories online, think about:

• Podcasting. PCHS students host a student podcast channel to share their work.
  
• Wikis. Science teacher Ann Floyd used elements of storytelling to help students relay characteristics of living creatures on her CHS Animal Wiki.
  
• Blogs. A great way to have students write receive feedback on their work from their peers. An example of a student writing blog is the Students 2.0 blog with contributions from students across the world.