Activity+7+Google+Docs

=Activity # 7 Writing collaboratively using Google Docs=

Process:

 * 1) Today you will be divided into groups of 4 members each. (If everyone is here, one group will only have 3 members. If some folks are away more groups will work with 3 members.)
 * 2) Number off (1, 2, 3, 4)
 * 3) Decide:
 * 4) which of the"story leads" listed below that the group will follow for the story they will write
 * 5) who will create a new document and invite the others
 * 6) Change the name of your document to include your names (Story-Mary-Gerry-Mike)
 * 7) Each person will take 3 turns to develop the story line writing one or two sentences each turn.
 * 8) The comment feature found in the Insert menu can be useful to make suggestions on the story without changing the document.
 * 9) Use the chat function to discuss how to end your story. (You might want to use this function throughout the entire activity)
 * 10) Take one final turn each (you will have 4 turns in all)
 * 11) Create an interesting descriptive title for your story.
 * 12) Edit your work, correcting spelling, grammar etc.
 * 13) Include a byline with the names of all who co-authored the piece.
 * 14) Add extras to your story with appropriate pictures or graphics
 * 15) You could even publish your story to the web Learn More . ..

Story Leads
1. With the series tied at three a piece, game seven of the Cup finals will determine hockey’s ultimate champion. The question on the mind of Canadian shinny fans is, “Who will prevail in the final contest between the bear and the orca?”

2. The students peer intently at their computer screens, unaware that time rapidly slips into the future. Glassy eyed and weary (despite endless cups of coffee), they wonder if the promised updates on their RSS reader feeds are nothing more than a myth of technology.

3. As the flood waters of the Assiniboine River receded, the city slowly reverted to its previous existence of wheat kings and hog plants. Although the drama of the high water event that gripped the nation was fading, the giant wall of sandbags protecting the Corral Centre remained, an ominous reminder of the watery danger that lurked behind the barrier.

4. It is the year 2021. After decades of dominating the TV landscape, reality programming has ultimately reduced the viewing options to one channel and one show - ‘The Amazing Race to Dance with the American Idol Survivor’ on Fox 24/7.

5. A man lies sprawled face first in the snow, as his 6 year old daughter is bent double from laughter. “Are you laughing with me or at me?” he asks. The answer is never “With”.

Helpful Information and Links
This activity could evolve into a Digital Story Telling Project The [|Wikipedia articles on Digital Storytelling] defines it rather succinctly as "using digital tools so that ordinary people can tell their own real-life stories."


 * It goes on to state: Digital Storytelling** is an emerging term, one that arises from a grassroots movement that uses new digital tools to help ordinary people tell their own ‘true stories’ in a compelling and emotionally engaging form. These stories usually take the form of a relatively short story (less than 8 minutes) and can involve interactivity. The term can also be a broader journalistic reference to the variety of emergent new forms of digital narratives (web-based stories, interactive stories, hypertexts, fan art/fiction, and narrative computer games). As an emerging area of creative work, the definition of digital storytelling is still the subject of much debate.

Google Story (2.41 min.) A video to watch and info to read DEMF Example (2.26) A video to view Using Google Docs in the classroom (pdf) Digital Storytelling in Plain English

Submit
Invite me (buntepbird) to your Google doc once your story is finished or the 1 hour time limit has expired.