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Time Will Tell: Using Time Lapse Photography and Digital Storytelling in Science Roger Pence, MA Ed. Benicia Middle School Touro University California CSTA/NSTA Area Conference, Long Beach, CA 2014 rogpence@gmail.com rogpence@gmail.com Wiki resources: https://dsinscience.wikispaces.com https://dsinscience.wikispaces.com

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Session Agenda Time-lapse vs. Stop Action Photography What are the Learning Goals? What Skills Do Students Practice? How are time-lapse stories constructed? Samples of Student Work Equipment, Software, and Techniques What do students have to say about this (their words not mine) Practical considerations and classroom handouts

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Time-lapse vs. Stop Action Photography Time-lapse aims to show slow-moving events quickly Examples: flowers blooming, clouds passing, decomposition, etc. Stop-action aims to freeze a moment in time for accurate and keen observation Examples: a bullet from a gun, an explosion, pollen bursting from a flower, etc. Slow-motion aims to slow the movement of something down for observation

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What are the Learning Goals? Students will be able to: Accurately and keenly observe a slowly unfolding event and record those observations Use digital technology to photograph the event so as to compress the real-time unfolding into 60-90 seconds of time Research the underlying reasons for why we see what we see Write an accompanying narrative script describing the changes observed and why they occur Use video editing program to record live voice narration that describes the time-lapse video Produce a final, sharable version

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What Skills Do Students Practice? Observation Recording of observed changes PhotographyResearchingProblem-SolvingCollaborationWriting Voice Recording All related technology pieces

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The Old Way before good digital technology

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The New Digital Tools iPad/Tablet Phone Digital Camera Computer

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How are time-lapse stories constructed? A suitable event is chosen (look for interest, photographic potential) Practice photographing the event Choice of suitable interval to end up with 30-40 discreet shots (every 5 minutes to 12-24 hour intervals depending on event pace) Weaving observations into a coherent story: LETS SEE SOME RAW TIME-LAPSE FOOTAGE! TIME-LAPSEFOOTAGE!TIME-LAPSEFOOTAGE! What needs description? Why, why and why DO WE SEE WHAT WE SEE? Raw pictures are inserted into an editing program such as iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements, etc. Individual shot duration decided upon to produce 60-90 seconds running time Voice recorded into program to provide accurate, revealing voiceover

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The Assignment Overarching, guiding question: How can we show and describe scientifically events that happen too slow for us to see in real time? Classroom Handout Classroom Handout (uploaded to NSTA scheduler) Classroom Handout

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Samples of Student Work Sunset on Carquinez Strait Sunset on Carquinez Strait - good narration Sunset on Carquinez Strait Chia Pet Chia Pet Movement of Shadows Movement of Shadows Flower Blooming Flower Blooming - good tech narration Flower Blooming Night and Day Night and Day Days Light Days Light - overall good example Days Light Bean Seed Growth Bean Seed Growth good photography Bean Seed Growth SunsetSunset ELL student Sunset Molding Bread/Fruit Molding Bread/Fruit - great narration Molding Bread/Fruit Egg in Vinegar Egg in Vinegar good collaborative work by three girls Egg in Vinegar

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Equipment, Software, and Techniques Cameras and Photo Equipment Digital camera (manually time shutter or setting) Phone with good camera (can download app for iPhone, Android) iOS 8 for iPhone/iPad has a time-lapse feature (demonstrated later) Time-lapse camera (I have a Brinno see actual) Tripod mount for device (iPad sample) (iPad sample)(iPad sample) Computers and Tablets PC, Mac, iPad, other tablet, iPhone Lighting considerations Consistent and appropriate for subject/camera If photographing sun/moon, test for camera washout

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Software/Apps Mac: iMovie or Adobe Premiere Elements (import photos PC: Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements (import photos), WeVideo Chromebooks: WeVideo (import photos) iPhone/iPad (use its camera) with iMovie: Osnap!, Lapse-it, or others Use iOS 8s time-lapse setting http://www.studioneat.com/blogs/main/15467765-how-does-the-ios- 8-time-lapse-feature-work http://www.studioneat.com/blogs/main/15467765-how-does-the-ios- 8-time-lapse-feature-work http://iphonephotographyschool.com/ios-8-time-lapse/ Android (use its camera) Galaxy Tablet, Note, etc.: with WeVideo (collaborative, web-based): Osnap!, Lapse-it, or others http://www.superstokedmagazine.com/article/2014/10/timelapse- samsung-galaxy-note4/ http://www.superstokedmagazine.com/article/2014/10/timelapse- samsung-galaxy-note4/

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Lighting and Technical Considerations Lighting considerations Consistent and appropriate for subject/camera If photographing sun/moon, test for camera washout Use without flash if possible Use side-lighting when possible to accentuate detail Other Technical Stuff: Take 50-60 images (makes for a smoother movie) Disable pan and zoom (Ken Burns effect) on final movie Use manual focus for consistency if available Be sure batteries are well-charged

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Lets Make A Sample Quick One! Computer (importing pics) and iPad (iOS 8) Obtain time-lapse photo set (one obtained from Brinno) For importation into iMovie Observe and Write Script (draft) well do this quickly together! Time script narration to adjust video length (1 minute) Record narration Add titles, credits Finalize (Share) movie

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What do students have to say about this (their words not mine) The only factor was the wind (problem solving) I managed to work harder and it turned out just fine (grit) This may help me in the future for other projects or similar situations (transferable skills) Overall, I think I learned a lot and tried my best I learned things I didnt expect to I had to do a lot or research on the internet to create this videobut it was fun

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Practical considerations and classroom handouts Time Will Tell Project Directions Time Will Tell Project Directions Time Will Tell Script Checklist Time Will Tell Script Checklist Offer groups of 2-3 so as to cover equipment needs.

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Thanks for your time and attention. rogpence@gmail.com https://dsinscience.wikispaces.com