Summary
Students learn how to plan a multimedia package, then work in small groups to create their own online package plan.
Objectives
- Students will generate ideas for multimedia components to an online story.
- Students will understand the three online story package structures.
- Students will develop a multimedia package in small groups, taking into consideration the key questions that drive story package design and the specific angles they have selected for their story package.
Standards
| CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6 | Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. |
| CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7 | Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. |
| CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.5 | Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning and evidence and to add interest. |
Resources
Copies of a print story from a local publication or from your own print publication
Handout: Online story package planning sheet
Slideshow: Planning a Multimedia Package
Prior to completing this lesson, it will be helpful to complete the “Understanding the Why in Online Story Package Design” lesson. After this lesson, it is helpful to complete the “Critiquing a Multimedia Package” lesson.
Length
50 minutes in class, with additional reporting and production time
Lesson Step-by-step
1. Introduction — 10 minutes
Distribute the sample printed story. Using the beginning of the slideshow, ask them the following:
- What do you wish you could see? Hear? Visualize? Know more about? Analyze for yourself? Are there any unanswered questions or underdeveloped ideas?
Generate a quick discussion/list of ideas. Encourage students to begin with “What if?” statements. For example, students might ask “What if we could shoot video of the subject doing ____?” or “What if we could give readers a list of ____?” The list they generate will vary based on the story.
2. Analysis — 15 minutes
Using the slideshow, introduce students to the three online story package structures. Show the example with each and answer questions. You may have students take notes in their notebooks.
3. Planning — 25 minutes
Distribute the online story package planning sheet and the group project assignment sheet.
In small groups, students meet to select a topic for their online package. They begin by brainstorming possible angles for the topic. Once they have selected one or more angles to cover, they need to generate a list of reader questions they’d like to address in the story/package. Their plan should be recorded on the multimedia package planning sheet.
4. Follow-up — will vary
As a team, each group should report for and produce their online story package during the next week. Depending on the experience level of students, you may structure the work periods to include set deadlines for specific components, or give students open work time to complete their story/stories.