Digital storytelling is an excellent way to engage learners in content and to bring future-ready learning into the learning environment. While reading Macbeth, it is easy to give a Kahoot! or have learners complete an essay or some other type of assessment. When I first taught this unit, I had learners participate in two different debates: 1. Is Lady Macbeth a sympathetic character? 2. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Learners could be for or against and chose which position and which question they wanted to debate. They had to read articles that I presented to them and also find their own sources to add to the debate. The position had to be supported by outside sources and textual evidence from the play. The learners loved this unit, and they loved the debate.
As time has passed, it is essential to incorporate another type of assessment to make the text more relevant and engaging. By having learners blog or vlog from the perspective of a character (Banquo, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, or the Weird Sisters), learners can demonstrate their knowledge acquisition. Since this is an honors class, this type of assignment evokes creativity and critical thinking while giving these characters a modern voice.
We are fortunate to be a 1:1 school where every learner has a Chromebook. Additionally, we are fortunate to have access to free recording apps for our Chromebooks, such as TapRecord, which we can use to create a private vlogging YouTube channel. We also have access to WordPress for learners who prefer to write their blog. Regardless of which way learners want to present knowledge acquisition, they will need to write (either a script for the vlog or a blog). Since learners have access to the digital tools they need to be successful in this assignment, personal devices are not necessary to complete the task. However, learners may use their personal devices to explore blogs, vlogs, or other online platforms where people journal for ideas. While the use of personal devices has been restricted in many schools, there is a time and place for their use.
The rubric was generated through a tool called Brisk. It creates a Google Doc using the criteria you enter. This is a great resource, and the rubric is created to allow educators to highlight the box that illustrates where the learner achieved their points. It is incredibly user-friendly and applicable to all grade levels. You could also enter the criteria into a Google Form for digital submission and learner reflection, as well. I like learners to highlight the box that they think they have earned, and to write a brief explanation for the grade they gave themselves underneath. If I agree with where they rated themselves, I leave the box as is. If I disagree with their rating, I highlight the box where I think they have earned a different grade in a different color and provide feedback under their rationale.
Bringing Shakespeare into the future-ready learning environment can seem like an overwhelming task. However, using technology and creating assignments that cater to our digital-native learners’ strengths will help achieve this with ease. When learners use tools with which they are most familiar to complete an assignment, they are more likely to remember the subject matter and remain engaged with the task at hand. It is our responsibility, as educators, to provide learners with meaningful and engaging tasks that challenge them and utilize technology to their advantage.
Edukater's Corner 