Animated Writing with a Google Docs simulator!
http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com
You’ve all probably seen one of the Google commercials similar to this one:
Wouldn’t it be cool for our students to create a story through video screen captures like this? Well, this new tool “Docs Story Builder” does something similar by allowing students to “become” characters in a shared Google Doc. Students type in the character names, then enter what they want typed on the screen by each character. Then, they can choose a musical soundtrack to accompany the final “video” story.
It’s best explained by viewing an example- click on the image below to see what I mean. This is an example of one student playing the part of two students and adding imagery and elaboration to his/her writing (links to http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/BV7wPj).
There are so many cool things about this. Just imagine the possibilities- students retelling an account of the Boston Massacre, or interviewing Abraham Lincoln… and on and on and on.
The site generates a unique URL for each Doc Story, but there is no easy way to embed the “video.” It’s still in its infancy- perhaps these asesome features will be added later! Enjoy!
On a personal note- anyone notice how Susan hasn’t blogged since the middle of May? Just saying…