Introduction to Sway
There are many stories to tell in a classroom, and educators and students use "digital storytelling" to make their voice come alive. Digital storytelling combines modern technologies (such as images and video) and the words of the writer to create a clear message. The stories that get told are varied. A few examples are:
- A family genealogy report that includes pictures of relatives and an interview with a family member
- A science lab journal with images of a plant and short video that explains photosynthesis and images found online
- A classroom newsletter complete with pictures from an open house and links to resources for parents
- A fine arts program with videos from rehearsal and an interview with the director
- Directions on how to use the new classroom 3D printer that includes pictures of student creations
- A list of new books purchased for the library with pictures of the book covers and short summaries of each book
- A blended learning activity that lets students listen to directions from the educator that is embedded into OneNote
With so many stories to tell, finding a digital resource that can make these stories come alive can be a challenge. Finding a tool that also lets the writer focus on the content of the story, rather than get sidetracked with endless options and settings, is a challenge. Microsoft Sway meets these needs and more.
Microsoft Sway is a mobile, adaptive digital storytelling tool that lets students and educators focus on content over format. This free Office 365 tool combines text, images, video, and other embedded content to tell a story. A Sway can be linked to a QR code for easy sharing, or a Sway can be embedded into a OneNote Class Notebook page. A Sway can be viewed and copied as a template, and the creator of the Sway can even track how many times their Sway has been viewed.
These reasons and more make Microsoft Sway a powerful digital storytelling resource. This module will teach you how to create a Sway by showing different examples of how Sway could be used in the classroom. Each unit will also ask you to reflect on what you have learned and create a Sway to practice your learning. When you are finished, consider sharing your Sway with a colleague to teach them about digital storytelling and Microsoft Sway.
Professional journal
How could digital storytelling be used in your classroom or school? Make a list of different stories that get told in your classroom, either by you or by students. Some examples could include: a travel journal, lab report, research paper, newsletter, classroom procedures, instructions for classroom technology, a fine arts presentation, or a flipped or blended learning activity.