How It Works
Stories can change our world. They expand our knowledge, spark our imagination and free our minds to grow.
Stories can change us. When asked about an experience, "What did you learn and how did you feel about it?" do you reflect and dig deep for answers and grow in the process?
Interview a friend or classmate about a topic and then change roles. Start at the beginning of the year with your goals and aspirations. Check in mid-year to record progress and wrap it up at the end before summer break. Are you still on the path from where you started? Have you reset your goals? What's your plan for the summer and looking ahead?
A Few Simple ideas
A good story can be anything you want to share about your experiences as a lifelong learner. Upload photos, stories, audio recordings or video anytime and anywhere. Personalize yours or try one of these subjects and share YOUR STORY as often as you like:
Challenge - What is an event that fostered life-long learning?
Exploration - Describe a lesson about the world and you.
Character - About decision-making skills and civic-mindedness.
Leadership - Cultivates, explores and inspires your leadership skills.
Nurturing Growth - All about social, emotional and intellectual growth - Take our survey and monitor your own.
Shaping The Future - How are you preparing for success in college, career and in life?
Sparking Creativity - Champion your natural genius! - Describe experiences of creative problem-solving and your artistic skills.
Strengthening Community - What's your role in the community and contribution to the greater good?
Tips for recording with an iPad or Smartphone:
Planning - Anticipating recording conditions is important. A coffee shop or a busy area near people and street traffic may be relaxed and comfortable but the space poses several concerns such as limited choice of space, background noise and nearby movement and conversations.
Setting up the scene - Check audio and video quality before you record by conducting a brief practice shoot in the intended setting or in a similar setting if necessary.
Once you find an appropriate setting and ensure audio and video quality, practice establishing good video frame - the visual elements that the video camera will actually capture - by considering these tips:
- Turn the iPad horizontally.
- Reduce headroom around the subject by moving the camera closer (see above).
- Ensure iPad camera is near the eye level with the subject.
- Notice the background and avoid capturing distracting background objects (lamps behind the subject or branches)
- Notice the positioning of the subject - slouching, leaning. Look at the interviewer, not the camera.
Ever wondered....
What are students learning in other parts of the country?
What kind of projects are kids doing in far away places?
What is it like for students your age going to school in cities or remote ares in other parts of the world?
How do students learn when the teacher is 100 miles away?
Ever walked or biked to school through jungle city outskirts, tropical deserts, across mountainous trails, frozen rivers or in sky gondolas?
What is 7th grade science like in the Kingdom of Bhutan?
Are my hopes and dreams like other students in other part of the world?
What is a day like in a one-room schoolhouse?
Is school life different for boys or girls around the world?
With StoryCast, will I actually see myself grow up - hear and see the changes?
Step 1. Choose someone to interview.
Step 2. Pick great questions and a quiet place.
Step 3. Prepare with warm-up questions.
Step 4. Begin - first name, age, date and location.
Ready now? Get set. Go!