Storybird Bias

Bias of Storybird

I used Storybird for a recent project assignment for students to write about an influential person in their life. You can read about here (it includes the links to Storybird as well).  I found Storybird a very positive and useful sight for classroom use. It is important to analyze each tool that teachers use online and weigh in all the factors, such as bias.

Storybird has multiple positive biases. For example, it favors classrooms whose teachers want students to create a story but want to save time and be efficient. It also is biased positively toward students who struggle artistically (all artwork is predetermined in groups by artist for the user to use). Storybird  benefits those who have experience with various online tools and are familiar with cues; for the more experience one has technologically, the easier they will be able to maneuver around the sight.

Storybird has biases on the flip-side. Storybird requires its users to only choose from certain artwork once someone has chosen their theme. Users cannot mix and match artwork. Though this limits flexibility, it calls for students to critically think as to how they can keep their theme in a creative manner. This is biased towards the artists that submitted their artwork to be used (to make sure the artists names are being published online). In addition, Storybird is biased because they are trying to sell final products of the books people have completed. Storybird knows that people cannot have hard copies of their creation unless purchased. Therefore, marketing is a part of the scheme and affects the webpage design.

Analyzing Storybird by no means discounts all of the positives or negatives. It is simply important to look at tools with a discerning eye and encourage students to do the same.

Technology and Society

Technology and society affect each other, whether we put forth the time and the effort to realize it or not. At times, we control how we use technology, but more than we know, technology controls us. If we take a look at social media on a large scale, technically, we get to choose how to portray ourselves (witty, professional, crazy, etc) because we are the ones posting pictures, writing bios, and posting. However, at the same time, that technology controls us because it is intentioned to be set up to keep luring us in to spend more time on the social media (thinking we can catch a glimpse of one more funny tweet or one more cute picture). In addition, social media affects us because it creates this expectation for what a person's profile is to look like or tweet is supposed to sound like. Social media knows that it can entertain us, so they keep taking measures to do so.

Now that we understand a tad more on a large scale, let us look at technology and the classroom in a more detailed manner in relation to Google docs which is used in the Westward Travel Assignment (This Westward Travel Assignment is for 8th graders after they have completed a Unit on the Oregon Trail. Check it out!). The classroom environment consistently affects how we use technology. If the teacher consistently simply asks assessment questions and requires a sentence answer, that is how the students will use google docs too, even if google docs has more tools and storage than simply that for students to expand and show creativity. If in the classroom, students barely collaborate with one another and the teacher by bouncing ideas off of one another, the sharing tool of google docs will barely be used. However, if students are used to discussing ideas and opinions in the class, they will be more likely to take advantage of google docs by collaboratively working and sharing their work and ideas with the google docs features. Technology will not change teaching; it can only enhance teaching if used in the right way. For these reasons, collaboration and analytical creativity  shall be worked toward everyday in the classroom, whether using technology or not. I believe that by building up these two traits of collaboration with other and creativity (not simply blanket answers), students will produce the best results in this Westward Travel Assignment.

In this assignment, technology also affects our classroom. Google docs will affect our classroom by having the students be technological focused. All the work will be turned in on google docs, and most of the student collaboration should be done online. Therefore, students may be more isolated focusing on their computers. Computers force our attention straight ahead because there is a physical barrier between us and other people. Hopefully the quieter volume of our students is positive, meaning that students are communicating with their partner via google docs. Google docs also affects us in using technology basically the same that we use Microsoft Word. Students most likely will not explore new ways to use google docs because we, as humans, use technologies, much like the technologies we are most comfortable with.

Influential, Encouraging People

 I have created an activity and assignment for 5th graders that encourages them to pinpoint and recognize those who have had influence in their life. The activity begins by reading a story as a class on Storybird, an online "short, art-inspired story" generator. This book is about a grandmother who shares creative stories with her grandson; through this storytelling, the grandson becomes a story teller himself. The students will then be asked to examine their own lives and choose someone who has encouraged them in an endeavor, hobby, or attitude and write a Storybird on the person and influence. The assignment sheet depicts the expectations of 8 pages of writing for the story. I created a story about my German teacher in high school, and how her high spirits impacted me. Students will turn in their final story on the assignment's webpage.

I truly believe that this activity will be beneficial for all students. For students have the freedom to choose topics and people that they can really connect to. When students have choice, we all know how much more self-motivated students are. Students will be working at their own paces; it is not a speed competition. Storybird is a site is easily navigable, which limits confusion and encourages creativity. Everyone has at least one person in their lives has someone that has given them hope, so this is a topic than all students can relate to. It will strengthen students' writing skills and storytelling skills.

Substantial time would be given in class to allow equitable access to computers and internet since not everyone has access at home. The class would go to the media center or have the cart of laptops delivered to the classroom to ensure that each student had an individual computer to work on Storybird during class time. If students wanted to spend time outside of school, I would encourage them to use a computer at home, the public library, or the schools' other resources.

Using Storybird instead of having students create their own stories with individual drawings and homemade books comes with trade-offs. Using Storybird helps students become more comfortable with technology and become more technologically literate.  If parents or guardians desired, the final piece of work could be made into a book. In addition, Storybird can be accessed from any computer or device with internet and can easily be shared with the teacher. In the classroom, it is time-saver because it limits the needed amount of time doing rough drafts of writing and drawing many pieces of artwork. It is very neat and can be easily edited. Multiple students can look at a specific story at one time too, and the link can be sent to family and friends. 

However, there are a few negatives of using Storybird versus creating a home-made book. The students do not gain experience writing a rough draft, second draft, and final draft of their story. In addition, students do not have as much freedom with the pictures that they want to use. Students do not experience putting time and effort into creating drawings that fit their story. Also, they would have to purchase a hard copy of their story created.  After the students complete their Storybird, they will complete an online survey and identify trade-offs of using Storybird- the positives and negatives.  
 

Overall, I believe that this activity will spark creativity and encourage thankfulness, allowing students freedom to write about what they are passionate about.

Hi! I am Cara Lutes, and I'm going to be a sophomore at Drake. I'm from Maplewood, MN, and I am on the Women's Basketball Team here at Drake. I am an Elementary Ed major with endorsements in Middle School, coaching, and ELL/ESL. I thoroughly enjoy frolicking, jumping on trampolines,  playing board games, and sidewalk chalk. Oh and for the record I have O- blood type (rarest type! super duper exciting I know). I also have an obsession with knowing people's middle names (mine is Marie for future reference).