PhotoStory3

=Microsoft PhotoStory3 for Windows:=

PhotoStory3 Download site: []

Tutorials:
[] [] [] []

Video tutorials:
[] (how to download) [] (basics-done using PhotoStory3) [] (basics) [] (basics) [] (adding music)

**Educational Objectives for PhotoStory3:**

 * Demonstrate use of technology
 * Demonstrate sequencing and organizing details to tell a story
 * Demonstrate understanding of subject area content by presenting to peers

**PhotoStory3 can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom:**

 * It can be used in conjunction with Microsoft PowerPoint to make slides where students create slides containing the information that they have researched about a topic; for example, internet safety. These slides can be imported into PhotoStory3 as jpeg image files. Students add music and transitions to create a slide show.


 * Students can write their own story and draw their own illustrations. The illustrations can be scanned to create jpeg image files that can be imported into PhotoStory3. The text of the story can be added in PhotoStory3 and using the voice recording, the story can then be narrated by the student author creating an original story slide show.


 * Students can research a state, country, or culture and create a slideshow //travel brochure//. After researching specific information about their topic and searching for appropriate images, the images can be imported, the text added, and music added to create the //travel brochure.//

My Experimenting:
I tested out PhotoStory3 by just adding a few pictures, creating 1 slide in PowerPoint, and adding music. It is very easy to use. I was walked through each step by prompts within PhotoStory3. An area where some students may have trouble is when they are importing PowerPoint slides. If they didn’t save into their Picture folder they may have difficulty finding them. Another area where some students may not fully use the feature is the transitions. Special effects are straightforward but transitions require an understanding of where the //camera// //eye// is pointing. Transitions can zoom in or out on any picture automatically or they can be set manually. If an automatic transition doesn’t make sense for the picture the student could go in and modify it manually. For example, the automatic transition may start in the left hand upper corner and zoom out on a picture of a student holding an insect. It may make more sense in the slide show to have the transition zoom in on the insect. To manually adjust, a small cropping square can be moved around to the desired location. Some students may not fully understand how to manipulate the cropping square. This is more advanced and not required so it is not an issue that would prevent me from using this tools with elementary or middle school students. To create the final movie file I selected the //Run on my computer// option. Other file options are available; portable media device, smartphone, pocket PC, and email.


 * Challenges:**
 * Finding pictures that do not violate copyright law/fair use can be difficult. Educational sites like [|www.Pics4learning.com] are helpful.
 * If not using the music preloaded into PhotoStory3, again copyright/fair use laws can be violated. [|www.freeplaymusic.com] is one website that may be used.
 * Including 15 – 30 slides or images about a topic may be difficult for some students to locate or create.
 * To record student voices you will need a microphone.
 * If creating PowerPoint slides to use as additional images, students will need to remember to save them as jpeg files.

Lesson Plan:
Technology Integration Lesson Plan:

Collaboration with Science Teacher - 7th Grade

Objective: To demonstrate understanding of organelles by students presenting what was learned to classmates through the use of PhotoStory3.

Procedures:
 * 1) Students research organelles assigned by Science teacher using laptop computers in the classroom and record requested information.
 * 2) Students create PowerPoint slides including a title slide, ending slide, bibliograpy slide, and at least 14 other slides that include the information from their research.
 * 3) Students will save the PowerPoint slides as jpeg image files.
 * 4) Students will import jpeg files into Photostory3.
 * 5) Students will record their voice to introduce their slide show, add text on at least one slide, and add background music available from PhotoStory3.
 * 6) Students will finalize their PhotoStory movie/slideshow selecting the //use on computer// option.
 * 7) The final movies will be reviewed by the class for peer review.

Recommendation:
I would highly recommend using PhotoStory3. It is very easy to use and the final product looks professional. It is a good publishing tool for students to demonstrate what they have learned about a specific topic.