How to make space for learner's languages

6.A.2. Creating a multilingual digital story

Students could start by using digital cameras to take still images.

1. Digital cameras – taking still images

Give students the opportunity to practise taking photographs with digital cameras. Remind students that when taking shots outside they should stand with the sun coming over their left shoulder. It’s useful to experiment with close-up shots and when there’s not much light or the subject is in deep shadow, they should use flash. For better quality images, students should shoot at the camera’s maximum resolution. When students finish taking a selection of photographs get them to save them on their computer in a new file for editing.

2. Photo Story 3 – creating a multilingual photo story

Students can practise making a short multilingual digital story using their selected digital photographs:

• Students import the photographs into Photo Story 3 and then arrange photographs in a sequence to tell their story.
• Students can then balance colour and add titles or subtitles in one or more languages.
• They can select different size and colour font and position the subtitles on the image.
• Students can then practise recording a voiceover for each image in their selected language.
• They can also create a sense of movement by customising motion and setting the start and end position for each photograph.
• Students then select a music file or customise their own music to add to the photo story.
• The multilingual photo story is then saved as a WMV file that students can play back on their computer.