Literacy Narrative Digital Project

In your digital project for the literacy narrative analysis, your goal is to share your story in multi-modal way (beyond a written format) and using a less formal structure, meaning not an academic essay. You will be building some digital skills as well as rethinking your writing to fit a different mode of presentation. Since the presentation need only be a few minutes long, you should consider the primary points that you will include to capture your experience and present it using your knowledge of Dweck’s mindset concept. What image is most powerful in your narrative? How will you build your presentation around it? Expect to dedicate 30-60 minutes developing your presentation (ex. writing your podcast, finding/taking pictures or selecting music and thinking about how to edit your text to this new format, creating a first draft of the presentation).  

Before deciding the content of your project, you should decide which format you will use (audio podcast or video).

  • If you choose to make a video presentation, you might share your narrative by reading an edited version of your literacy narrative and adding introductory and concluding slides. You may also use transitional slides if you think they will help the reader. iMovie would work well for this type of presentation. 
  • Another video option is to base your presentation around pictures related to your narrative and use a voice over to narrate your story. If you choose pictures, think about the significance of the images and match it to your narrative (ex. Alexie’s use of Superman imagery). iMovie would work well for this type of presentation.
  • If you want to use audio only, consider the way “The Editor” is structured to keep the audience engaged. Revisit your ePortfolio response post to “The Editor” and think about your own narrative. Consider adding sound effects or having a friend or classmate be part of your presentation to allow for dialogue. Your presentation does not have to mirror your essay but can be more of an interview-style presentation. If you choose this style, you might have your friend or classmate asking you questions about your literacy experience and mindset. Audacity would work well for this podcast-style presentation. 

Audacity and iMovie in the DigiSpace: Checklist

Audacity is software used for editing audio, and iMovie is a program for editing video. The DigiSpace (located in Decary 051) has a green screen, a camcorder, and MacBooks with Audacity and iMovie available for your use.

How should you prepare for the consultants at the DigiSpace to help you make a podcast or video? Complete the checklist below before arriving at the DigiSpace to record.

  • Invest a half hour or so to learn about the software using our tutorials (http://uneportfolio.org/help/). Many features of iMovie and Audacity are easy to figure out, but have a base of understanding about the software before using it.
  • Define the content of your presentation. Write and practice your presentation before you arrive to record it. 
  • Be sure to plan ahead. Practice to get a sense of the length of the presentation and decide the format of the presentation.
  • Access the DigiSpace Reservation Google Doc using your UNE Google Docs ID and make an appointment to insure that a consultant is available to help you.
  • Arrive a few minutes early to give yourself about double the time it will take to record your presentation. Because the lab itself is conducive to recording, your digital literacy consultant will either direct you to the reserved classroom space for recording, or you will see a sign that directs you to that space. Also, you will want some time to complete retakes and editing.  
  • Come prepared. Take or find your pictures ahead of time. You may have some pictures that you have taken or you may choose to download some stock pictures. If you are not using your own pictures, be sure to document the sources of the downloaded pictures and credit the source in a final frame of your video. When you arrive at the DigiSpace, have a plan for getting the pictures from your device to the MacBook that you will use to create your iMovie. This may be via Google Docs (you loaded your pictures into it), via a USB cable, or by another means such as a memory stick. Please bring a memory stick (aka portable thumb drive) in case you don’t have enough time to record and finish creating a finished product in one session and bring your own cord (in case our cord is in use or is not the right type to work with your device to download footage or photos).
  • You will upload your presentation link to ePortfolio using your UNE credentials.
    • Log on to MyUNEDocs. Your UNE account information allows you to share in youtube without creating a separate log in. If you upload your presentation to youtube, you will get a shareable link to add to your ePortfolio or to share with your audience.
    • Saving the file and then uploading to your Google Docs is also an option.  
  • If you are doing a podcast, you have a few options for sharing.
    • You may convert it to be uploaded to youtube video. See this tutorial, created by DigiSpace consultant Miranda Hall.
    • You may upload the audio file to your Google Docs and then get a shareable link. See screen shots below.
    • Upload your podcast to Google Docs (log on to MY UNEDocs, select NEW –>upload file, and upload it). See screen shot.
      Next, select the file but don’t open it. Then, right click to get the menu shown below:
       
      Once you have a shareable link. It will be copied to your clipboard so paste it into your ePort post. It will look like this:  
      drive.google.com
      Google Drive is a free way to keep your files backed up and easy to reach from any phone, tablet, or computer. Start with 15GB of Google storage – free.

      This will allow your classmates to hear the podcast without your permission. 

Our DigiSpace consultants are ready to assist you with this process. Remember to have some fun with this project, too!