Storyboards

It is so important to storyboard. I have several different forms that I have used over the past few years as we have used Photostory, MovieMaker and even PowerPoint. After a bad experience, I have learned that it is most important for students to think through what they are doing so that they are happy with their final product. The more information they think of before they go to the project, the quicker and better it goes together. Some students think that they can do it without a storyboard, but usually, they will grab the paper sooner or later.

A storyboard also helps connect technology with writing skills. You have a beginning, middle and end. Depending on what kind of multimedia project you are doing, you have a setting and characters. In the even that you are creating a movie with actors, an actual script will have to be written and incorporated into a storyboard. In that senario, we usually have students write a script and mark it as to where it goes into the storyboard.


1. Share your storyboard for your project. (If possible, digitize a paper copy.)http://pgpsbisd.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder&param=Blue%2520Jeans%2520and%2520T-Shirts
2. Explain which storyboard template or technique will work best with your students.
I have several different variations that I use with my students. It depends on the end product and what program they are using at the end. I was glad to see that many of the ones that I have created looked like the ones that were on the lists to view. As the students have begun to incorporate Big Huge Lab products into their final products we have to think through all of the "raw materials". All of the "raw materials" have to be produced before you can get to the final movie maker or imovie. The students have also learned to use Keynote or PPT to make slide with more information or to put lots of photos on a page. All of these items that must be created need to be placed into the storyboard. The preplanning makes the rest of the final project go smoothly. Also, if students are working in a group, after the storyboard is created, different students can step off and create the different parts. The students also know that even though the storyboard is created, we can always edit, add and change things. As they get into the project, the students will sometimes realize that they left something out. Until we save the final cut...changes are always able to be made. (We always have to have a due date from the first day of the assignment....other wise the students will NEVER finish!)

3. What benefits will there be if students use storyboards in creating projects? Creating a storyboard allows a student to think through what they are going to create. Just as you create an outline when you begin to work on a story or research project, the storyboard keeps you on track and lets you know what still needs to be completed. By making a storyboard, the student can also see what program will be the best medium for the final product. Not everything should be done in photostory, or iMovie or PPT. It also helps students to think about the length (they tend to want to make things too long). 1 minute commericals make students really think...how much information can you share in 1 minute! They have to plan carefully and use all of the skills they have. Storyboards are not an option...if you talk to animators they create storyboards as well...