Fifth-grade students’ digital retellings and the Common Core: Modal use and design intentionality

Bridget Dalton, Kristin H. Robinson, Jason F. Lovvorn, Blaine E. Smith, Tara Alvey, Elaine Mo, Paola Uccelli, C. Patrick Proctor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multimodal composing is part of the Common Core vision of the twenty-first-century student. Two descriptive studies were conducted of fifth-grade students’ digital folktale retellings. Study 1 analyzed 83 retellings in relation to the types and frequencies of modal use, such as image, sound, movement, and written text, as well as their retelling accuracy. Students composed within a scaffolded digital composing environment which comprised the PowerPoint authoring/presentation tool and a researcher-developed story frame. All students’ retellings included writing and visual design, 80% included animation, and 70% included sound. Retelling accuracy scores averaged 54%. Study 2 was conducted with a new group of 14 fifth-grade students who had previous digital retelling experience. The retellings included the same types of modal use, but at a higher level of frequency. In their retrospective design interviews, students expressed design intentionality and a metamodal awareness of how modes work together to create an appealing story.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)548-569
Number of pages22
JournalElementary School Journal
Volume115
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fifth-grade students’ digital retellings and the Common Core: Modal use and design intentionality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this