StoryBird

[|StoryBird] //** --a collaborative storytelling tool **//

What is Storybird?
Storybird is a collaborative story telling tool. In a turn based process, individuals are able to work together and create a story, which can then be posted publically or privately. Visitors can then comment on public Storybirds. As stated in the site FAQ, Storybird was created to connect families and friends. It makes it possible for two people in different locations to easily work together on a project. The site archives the work of artists to be used in the making of stories, the story creator has only to drag and drop the desired image into the story frame, and add text as needed. A collection of possible themes are also displayed for user inspiration. Stories can be labeled by age range, making it possible for users to browse easily for appropriate material for reading. Although there is no specific age requirements, the product is geared to users ages 3-13.

What makes Storybird Web 2.0 Technology?
Storybird’s collaborative mission and user-centric interface make it a web 2.0 technology. Creating a Storybird is a cooperative, not passive, online activity, as users invite friends and family to create stories with them, as well as view and comment on the stories of others.

Strengths

 * Storybird allows users to communicate and share with others, through stories that can be created individually or cooperatively.
 * Storybird “promotes imagination, literacy, and self-confidence” (Storybird, n.d., Frequently Asked Questions section), and encourages children to combine art with their own words.
 * User safety is built in to Storybird’s design. Users are able to stay anonymous, and have the option to keep creations private. There is no chat function or public profile pages.
 * Simple to understand and simple to use, allowing for a wide range of ages to be able to successfully participate.

Weaknesses

 * Storybird’s reliance on pre-posted art. A simple function for allowing user-generated art to be uploaded and included during the creation phase would allow for a richer and more collaborative creative process.
 * A potential weakness of Storybird is one that is inherent in many Web 2.0 applications, namely the possibility that inappropriate content could be added in either the main content area or in the form of reader comments/feedback. Storybird has addressed this issue by reviewing all stories before they are publicly shared. Any story containing inappropriate material will be removed from the public area. Additionally, users can report stories that they feel has inappropriate material in them (Storybird, n.d., Help Section, Is Storybird Safe?).

Comparison to similar Web 2.0 tools
[|VoiceThread]
 * Users can create stories with images, videos, documents, and presentations, or any combination thereof. Photos can be imported from the Internet.
 * Allows users to comment five different ways: computer microphone, text, telephone, audio file, and webcam.
 * Users are able to doodle on their VoiceThread content (the images, files, etc.)
 * Publishing options allow users to determine who can view the VoiceThread, who can comment, whether comments will be moderated, and whether the VoiceThread is searchable.
 * There is no mechanism to report or filter out inappropriate content.
 * VoiceThread accounts are free, although premium accounts are available with a subscription.
 * Users can tag their VoiceThreads in the description of the VoiceThread.

ToonDoo
 * ToonDoo accounts are free; ToonDoo spaces is a subscription based product which adds security and comment moderation to the ToonDoo interface.
 * Users can create either individual comic strips, or they can create books in comic strip format.
 * Has a Safe-Search Filter that allows users to block toons that have been flagged as inappropriate.
 * Users can select images from galleries. Outside images can be uploaded into ToonDoo.com, and users can add doodles to their toons.
 * Users can assign tags to toons, and can also assign tags to images in the image gallery to aid in creating toons.
 * Publishing options allow users to share toons publicly, or to keep toons private.

Learning Connections


Brief description of curriculum units

Tutorial


References, Articles, etc.
//** (List and hyperlink resources found on the open Internet; list full bibliographic information for resources in databases.) **//