StoryCorps in the Classroom
Every Story Matters
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What is StoryCorps?
"StoryCorps's mission is to preserve and share humanity's stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world."
An Intro to StoryCorps from our Founder Dave Isay
Why I use StoryCorps...
As a social science teacher I am always looking for ways to connect my students to the history that is happening all around them and to the experiences of people in their lives. The announcement of the StoryCorps app and "The Great Thanksgiving Listen" provides the perfect way to do this!
What it looks like in my classroom:
Click here for sample assignment and instructions
I shared this document with my students on google classroom. Most of my students have some sort of smart mobile device they could use, for those who don't they used one of the school iPads and interviewed someone on campus.
Preparing, collecting, sharing, and scoring the final interview...
Step 1 - Getting Started
Downloading the app and signing up for an account: Students will need mobile devices (smart phone or iPad). Detailed instructions are in the sample assignment.
Step 2 - Practice Assignment
Students practice recording, publishing and submitting (via google form) a one-line "interview" to become familiar with the process.
Step 3 - Interview Preparation
Students complete a google form indicating the person they will interview, why they chose this person, when the interview will take place, what resources they need, and start choosing interview questions. The app provided TONS of great questions that they can choose from. They need to be sure the person they choose is ok with the interview being shared with classmates and uploaded to the Library of Congress.
Step 4 - Final Recording
Students use the app to record their interview. I suggest giving a minimum time limit but not a maximum. Once the interview is complete and uploaded, students are provided with a link which (again) they submit via google form.
Step 5 - Audio Gallery Walk
Once all of the interview links are submitted via google forms, I share the google sheet with all of the links with the class. I have them listen to (you choose how many) interviews and provide feedback for (again, you choose how many) interviews. I use the feedback for accountability and have shared some of the feedback with students (although that took some extra work).
Step 6 - Providing Feedback
These are difficult to grade because they are unique and often personal so I score mainly based on meeting the requirements and following the instructions. I use a google form as a rubric.. The interviews are pretty awesome to listen to (I definitely shed some tears). Since I collected the interview links in a google sheet, I used the YAMM add-on to provide students with feedback (more about this below!)
Click on the following buttons for the various forms I have created for each step in the process. Feel free to copy, edit, and use any of the following forms in your classroom! I link the following goole forms to ONE google sheet to streamline the workflow. TIP: Be sure to collect your students gmail addresses if you want to use the Yet Another Mail Merge add-on to provide feedback.
Practice Assignment Google Form
This is the google form that I use to collect the practice assignment. (You will be prompted to make a copy. This is also linked in the sample assignment instructions)
Interview Preparation Google Form
This is the google form that I use to help students prepare for their interview. (You will be prompted to make a copy. This is also linked in the sample assignment instructions)
Final Recording Google Form
This is the form that I use to collect students' final recordings. (You will be prompted to make a copy. This is also linked in the sample assignment instructions)
After the Interview is Complete and Turned-in:
StoryCorps Audio Gallery Walk
Students complete this form as they listen to each other's interviews.
StoryCorps Interview - RUBRIC
I use this form to score each interview.
Providing Feedback: Yet Another Mail Merge (Google Sheet Add-On)
Since everything was collected in google forms and stored in google sheets, I used the google sheets add-on Yet Another Mail Merge to send feedback to students via email. HERE is an example of the draft email that I created to link with YAMM and HERE is an example of the google sheet. Below is a super short video tutorial using YAMM to send feedback.
StoryCorps YAMM
Things to Think About...
Length of interviews?
Subject?
Access to technology?
Age of students?
Language?
What else???
How could you use StoryCorps in your classroom/subject area? Please share on the padlet wall below!
Additional Resources
StoryCorps Resources for Teachers
10 Ways to Bring StoryCorps to your Classroom
WikiHow - How to use the StoryCorps app
I show my students this 20 minute TED Talk from David Isay to introduce the assignment.
Kira Durant
keep in touch!
Email: kdurant@cuhsd.org
Website: http://bit.ly/edtechgamestrong
Location: Del Mar High School
Phone: -
Twitter: @durantdmhs