Hello everyone! This week in my post, I will introduce you a digital storytelling application which you can download to your mobile device and create your own story. Its name is StoryKit. It can be easily downloaded from Apple Store. Once you have installed it, it is possible for you to make a story on your own, draw whatever you want, add different pages and narrate it with your own voice. Now, let's have a look at that application and know it better!
When you first installed StoryKit, you will see a page like this (look at the picture on the left). In this page, you can either read other digital books that were prepared before or select the "New Book" and start your digital story. After choosing the New Book option, there comes a blank page (look at the picture on the right). In this blank page there are some categories which I highlight them in the picture. These categories are Take Photos, Add Photos, Add Text, Record Audio and Draw/Paint.
When you choose Add Photos, you can easily upload any image from your mobile device. In this way, it is possible to prepare a background photo for your story. Also, text can be added on to the photograph and you can draw something onto the image. On the left picture, I show you an example. I chose a school image, uploaded it and wrote a text. If you do not want to add an image and say "I can draw my own picture.", there is an option for you. To show that for you, I drew a girl (sorry for my drawing, I am not very good at it). In this section, you can adjust the size of brush and choose whatever colour you like.
After finishing your drawing or adding a picture,you can start a new page. These pages constitute your whole story. It is possible to edit them whenever you want. In the following picture, you can see the Edit Pages.
In the end, you can narrate the story with your own voice. Just by clicking the Record Audio, you are ready to speak. After recording your voice, a sound icon will appear on your page and if you want to listen the voice, you need to click on this icon.
Now, I want to show you some examples from the application. These examples were prepared before and they all come when you get the application.
When you finish your story, sharing is also possible. The application gives you a private web address and then you can send it to whoever you want. What I like most about sharing is that the website address because in this way, it is possible to add the URL to your blog.
HOW CAN TEACHERS USE STORYKIT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS?
I think this website can be used efficiently in classroom activities or for term homework. I created such an example for young learners.
For example, as a teacher, I ask my students to make a digital book which tells a story of you and your animal friends. First please introduce your animal friends, add a picture of them and add your text. Your book should be 10 pages and after finishing it please e-mail it to me. On the left picture, you can see my example page.
In my post, I introduced you StoryKit and prepared an example. Please keep using technology! :)
