By Dr. Matthew Cook, assistant professor of postcolonial and south Asian studies, History
Courses: Junior-Senior Seminar and South Asia Under British Imperial Rule

This project integrates in-class PowerPoint presentations with critical written reviews of the courses’ texts to create enhanced presentations. It aims to build on existing course assignments to create multimedia projects. These projects combine audio and visual techniques with critical thinking to identify and explain the cultural and material factors that inform South Asian history, society and culture.

I wanted my students to create a enhanced presentation that demonstrates critical thinking and content knowledge about South Asian history, society and culture.

Yes, the goal was meant. But, as with many first-time assignments, the projects' quality varied. Some students enjoyed learning new software and allowed adequate time to produce a good project. However, others did not and this fact showed in the quality of their final projects.

Students must turn in multiple drafts of their projects. Requiring multiple drafts facilitates greater feedback and higher quality projects. It also provides an opportunity for students to correct technical difficulties, both with assistance from the Center for University Teaching and Learning and the professor.

• Microsoft Photo Story - a free program that animates still images with narration, music, transitions and effects.
• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Initial consultation on objectives and what technology to use to achieve them
• In-class training on Microsoft Photo Story
• Arranged PowerPoint training with ITS
• Use of the Center's training classroom
• Ongoing technical support on Photo Story and PowerPoint

• Click here to see examples of projects created with Microsoft Photo Story and learn more about the issues around digital reflections. Created by Virginia Commonwealth University.
• See more examples, tools, essential elements and sample rubrics for digital storytelling at the University of Houston's Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling Web site.
• Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on using Microsoft Photo Story 3.