Reflection on Project Based Learning/Project Sketch

Project Sketch: Personal Narrative addressing Literary Themes as Digital Story

Essential Questions:
1. What defining moment in your life led to a significant personal metamorphosis?
2. How can you effectively communicate your metamorphosis using symbolic language, graphics, music and voice to others in the class and in the larger community?
3. What have you learned as a result of your metamorphosis?
4. How does your and others’ personal metamorphoses connect to themes in Kafka's work?
5. As a result of your project, what did you learn about communication in a digital age?

ISB Students in the ESL class ELW (English Language Workshop) 3 study the graphic novel (novella) Metamorphosis (by Frank Kafka) adapted by Peter Kuper. Students analyze the text, visuals and literary devises of the novella to uncover universal themes. The novella models an honest expression of personal identity, so in response to the novella, students are asked to openly express their own personal metamorphoses using symbolic language, metaphor, or motif in a way that shows understanding of the universal themes found in the novella. The final project is for students to create, narrate and share a digital story of their personal metamorphoses using Photo Story 3 and wetpaint. Students consider the emotional impact on the viewer when selecting or creating graphic images and music. Students show an increased level (+.5) of written and oral fluency in their personal narrative (written script) and video narration (reading of the script). The stories are made available to other ELW students and teachers on the wetpinat site for support, feedback and reflection throughout the creative process. Finally, students share their experiences with a wider community by posting their final products/digital stories to youtube or sharing them with others outside the ELW class.

The Project would address Teacher NETS Standards:
1. Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

The Project would address Student NES-S Standards:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance,
to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments
and media

Bloom's Revised Taxonomy (2001)
LOTS
1. Remembering: Students will describe their life (defining moments, personal growth and change); Students will define theme, metaphor, symbolism and motif.
2. Understanding: Students will interpret and explain theme, metaphor, symbolism and motif in class literature. Students will explain use of multimedia resources.
3. Applying: Students will use knowledge, skills and understanding of a personal narrative and online tools to create a digital story.
4. Analyzing: Students will deconstruct narrative text type.
5. Evaluating: Students will critique their own and their peer's personal narratives/multimedia digital stories.
6. Creating: Students will create (publish) a multimedia digital story of personal metamorphosis
HOTS

Image URL.