DigiText Curriculum & Planning Resources

DigiText Resources

• Begin with the Rubric
  The rubric is the guide to "Best of Contest." Look at the rubric with your students and discuss the elements related to the optimum points.
• Best Practices in Curriculum Planning for DigiText 2011: Winning Steps
  A guide to help you plan your DigiText curriculum. These winning steps are considered best practices in basic curriculum planning.
  
• Evaluation Worksheet Based on the DigiText Rubric: Wanna Win? Checklist
  An evaluation tool to estimate a student's DigiText score.
• DigiText Google Guide
  With three options to choose from, this is your guide to creating Google Sites specifically for DigiText. This is a MUST PRINT handout for any program who plans on participating in DigiText.
• Creative Commons and Free Use Resources
• Release form for those under 18
• Release form for those over 18
• Tips & Projects Center: Kodak
  An amazing resource for anyone who wants to learn more about creating amazing images. A+++++++
• Working with Images
  Learn how to work with images on the Web, from finding and using images to optimizing images for the Web. Links are provided to a number of software tutorials, including Adobe Photoshop and Apple iPhoto.
  

Other DigiText Resources

• ESIP PhotoEssays
  If you are looking for an excellent resource with a lesson plan that provides steps from beginning to end, this is the place to start. This is a process developed by two ESIP teachers to familiarize students with "photography and PhotoEssay before having the student create their own individual PhotoEssay books." Although this site is aimed at elementary science integration, any grade will benefit from a review its approach to engaging students in a DigiText activity.
  
  
• collective lens
  This site is more than DigiText examples; it promotes social change with photo essay submissions. "Creating a Photo Essay" is a great article to help to glean ideas on how to introduce the TRIO Quest DigiText to your students (linked here or type the title in the Search box). In the Classroom provides ideas to help teachers inspire students. In addition, you can view examples of DigiTexts and even have your students submit photos and essays for their own good cause.
  
  
• Center for Digital Story Telling
  This wonderful site is dedicated to personal storytelling. Go to this site to help you develop DigiText curriculum. Under Our Services, the Resources page provides an abundance of ideas. Try "These Images from Pictures" to start and then explore. Have fun! (Note: this site can help you with Media Quest as well.)
  
  
• 5 Photo Essay Tips
  Digital Photography School - This is directed at the photo essay that relies on images only to tell the story, but it's a nice resource to help students think about what images they want to use in their essay.

DigiText - Before Submitting: Did you (the student)?...

1. Use your first name only? (if a minor)
2. Credit the photo(s)/image(s)?
3. Check spelling?
4. Edit your entry? Have someone look over your entry for errors in content, grammar, punctuation, and organization; students then make any needed changes.
5. Pick images that tell a story by themselves? (e.g., fit the content)