Session Information
Session Title�Create Your Own Adventure - Tell a story with Google
BRIEF session description:�Delve into writing, literacy, logic, and technology to craft a Create Your Own Adventure Story using Google Tools. Not only will we learn how to create a CYOA story but you will be equipped to teach your students this engaging interactive narrative.
Session Strand:�Instructional Technology
Materials
Google Slideshow: �https://goo.gl/5D81sB
Google Drive Files: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ei_H174t6GOUh_1ciFCm97XzRs9W-ivT
Website: �https://sites.google.com/oakdale.org/cyoa/home
OneTab Website Links: https://www.one-tab.com/page/qSu2U7e6QP2HXOeJYn3yzQ
Twitter: �https://twitter.com/aboatman
Purpose
Using Google Slides, students are able to create a non-linear storyline and also allows the reader to make decisions at key parts of the story leading to a variety of outcomes.
The divergent nature of the storyline provides the use experience with circular slide shows, creating internal hyperlinks to slides, and ...
Background
The Choose Your Own Adventure books were popular in the late 70’s through the 80’s. The books were designed to have the reader make decisions leading to various storylines and outcomes in one book. Many of the titles are still published today by Chooseco.
Atlas Obscura has a great article on the story structure of these books.
Which to Use?
Google Slides
Or
Google Forms
Google Slides
Creating in Slides is much easier.
It allows for greater movement within the materials
Students are able to use the grid view to see all the slides and plan the hyperlinks
Google Forms
Forms is more complex when creating the story and require much more pre-planning.
There are some great tutorials online on how to use Google Forms to create the Create Your Own Adventure stories.
See Slide 31 for good information
StoryBoards and Layout
I love Google Image Search to find a large variety of styles very quickly.
Story Planner
I like this story planner outline by S. Duckworth found at: https://sites.google.com/gshare.blackgold.ca/digitaltools/digital-skills-in-action
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pFqdawkCebOfdhkTrJkhm6ooNM6r0egQTH5_CfCmf-o/edit?usp=sharing
Drawings Layout
The Knight and the Troll Storyboard Drawings layout example from Dublin School �
Armstrong Layout
This Google Drawings version is referenced a lot online
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1Y8IzPf-WPaOFp4jBsOHimujlWvEPOjP9xyX9dZzoUDI/edit?usp=sharing
Draw.IO
Just learned about Draw.io to create charts. Could be a neat way to make a layout for the story and learn something new along the way.
Tips and Tricks
Slide Layout
Want to switch to a paper layout?
File - Page setup… Click the Widescreen drop down box and change to Custom
8.5 width x 11 height
Click OK
Be sure to do this process before creating all the sides or some editing will have to take place.
Slide Titles
It is wise to title each slide.
When creating HyperLinks the drop down box will list slide numbers and titles. It is easier to find the right slide with a title.
If the title should not be showing during the slide show, simply move the Title Box off the slide, or match the color of the text to the background.
The Jump Box
Adding Hyperlinks
I like having a box with the hyperlink on the slide instead of just text. It makes it easier for the reader to see their choices.
Take the road less traveled
The Jump Box - i
Insert Shape - Shapes - Bevel
The Bevel is my preferred shape for the hyperlink jump box
An invisible hyperlink box
The Jump Box - ii
Recolor the box with the paint bucket
Click on the box and the Format Menu - Format Options
Double click the box to add text
Format the text
Take the road less traveled
The Jump Box - iii
I prefer to click on the bezel box itself instead of highlighting the text when creating the hyperlink from slide to slide.
The box hyperlink looks much cleaner than the text hyperlink. The text color also changes with the hyperlink requiring another step to change the color again.
Take the road less traveled
HyperLink Drop Down Box
To insert a hyperlink, Insert Menu - Link or the Chain on the toolbar. �Depending on the slide layout and screen resolution the drop down box when inserting HyperLinks will not be completely visible.
It is easiest to use the down arrow on the keyboard to scroll down through the slide titles as the titles will not be visible.
Take the road less traveled
Home Button
It is wise to add a Home Button to the slides in order to return to the beginning of the story with ease.
If there are titles and introductions be sure to link the home button to the first page of the story itself.
Create the button once and Copy and Paste it to other slides.
PowerPoint used to have an image set under shapes for moving through slideshows. Request this feature in Google Slides under Help - Report a problem
Image as Background
Setting an image as the backgrounds prevents movement of the picture.
Nothing on the slide can be selected for Background… to show
Be careful as then there is no recolor or transparency
Insert Background Image
Image Choose...
Right click an image and Copy image address, Paste in By URL section
Background image from: https://assets.atlasobscura.com/article_images/lg/42878/image.jpg
Poll the Audience for a decision??
A couple of YouTube Tutorials
Spice it up
Incorporate a BreakoutEDU into the story
Incorporate Coding into the story
Incorporate Google My Maps - Tour Builder
The ESRI Map Stories
StoryBird - Prewriting
One of my favorite writing websites is StoryBird (www.storybird.com). The site provides a set of art work and students write a story based upon the images. It is a good way to drive the student work forward.
StoryBird makes for a good project before the Choose Your Own Adventure as it spurs the imagination of the writer.
The Hero’s Journey
A good place to begin on a story is the Hero’s Journey
It gives a time tested story structure to an adventure
See: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WypIPdBdM5VbHbN40WTlesdtPHefaZ2qCVHkNFXFiNs/edit?usp=sharing
Black Screen with Green Letters
Remember the old Oregon Trail?
Recreate it in Slides?
Sharing
Sharing
Display or share a template with the students so they can see the structural layout of the story.
Students create a new show and Share
Remember in Google the: �Pencil button is Edit�Callout button is Comment�Eye button is View
Small Groups
If students are working on a shared Slideshow, it is difficult to work on the same slide at the same time. It may be wise to divide the creation into sections. One student working on a section, one student adding boxes and links, one student adding illustrations.
Similarly, when students are working on the planning document it would be very difficult for them to work on it as a shared document together.
Resources
Create your own adventure
Growing up there was a series of books on create your own adventure. Read a bit, make a decision or take and action and turn to this page. Read along, make a decision and turn to this page.
They were fun to read and gave a sense of ownership in the story.
There has been an upswell of create your own adventure stories using digital media. Students create. I like that students are using creativity and logic in putting together their adventures.
I think the best place to start learning about this process is from Eric Curts. http://www.controlaltachieve.com/2016/01/interactive-slideshow-story.html
Outline your expectations, let students know about requirements, allow plenty of time, have a good pre plan, check in often.
Forms w/ S. Duckworth
Learn more about the structure of the Create your own adventure with Sylvia Duckworth. She uses Google Forms as the medium for the story. Her tutorial is great. This is also a great way to learn how to use Google Forms in a new and effective manner.
Be sure to go to File - Make a Copy to make this file your own.
Sylvia Duckworth Forms: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7xUe2IQNALsoqZe7uKofyPRu7O2ligqoVckjRNpOa4/edit
Google’s If/Then Stories
The Applied Digital Skills site at Google is off the hook. If you have not played around with all Google has to offer you need to take a deep dive in when time allows.
The If/Then Stories are a great way for students to learn about creating a choose your own adventure. The instructor on the screen is a big help in being able to stop, back up, and replay. The source materials are great as well.
Google Applied Digital Skills: https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/c/middle-and-high-school/en/if-then-adventure-stories/overview.html
A CYOA HyperDoc
This is a very helpful HyperDoc from Needham Schools in Massachusetts
http://hillside.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology
Resources
Dragon Quest! A Google Slides Interactive Story
Dragon Quest! A Google Slides Interactive Story. (2016). Controlaltachieve.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2016/01/interactive-slideshow-story.html
Miller, V.
Miller, V. (2017). Choose Your Own Adventure Google Slides. Jake Miller. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from http://jakemiller.net/choose-your-own-adventure-google-slides/
Choose Your Own Story with Google Forms - EdTechTeam
Choose Your Own Story with Google Forms - EdTechTeam. (2017). EdTechTeam. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://www.edtechteam.com/blog/2017/05/choose-your-own-story-with-google-forms/
‘Choose your own’ adventure stories using Google Slides.
‘Choose your own’ adventure stories using Google Slides.. (2017). EDTECH 4 BEGINNERS. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://edtech4beginners.com/2017/05/04/choose-your-own-adventure-stories-using-google-slides/
Resources
https://dashboard.dublinschools.net/lessons/?uid=5df3e6bf504026ffaa20df0d36d5c723
Adventure, G.
Adventure, G. (2018). Google EDU Level 2 - Choose Your Own Adventure. Sites.google.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://sites.google.com/tcea.org/level2/choose-your-own-adventure
These Maps Reveal the Hidden Structures of 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Books
These Maps Reveal the Hidden Structures of 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Books. (2017). Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cyoa-choose-your-own-adventure-maps
Create a Choose Your Own Adventure Story with Google Forms
Create a Choose Your Own Adventure Story with Google Forms. (2018). Create Dream Explore. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://www.createdreamexplore.com/2018/07/create-choose-your-own-adventure-story.html
If Your Edtech Product Won’t Solve Actual Problems, W. D. N. I., To Succeed in Edtech, B. A. V. L., Apps, 5., You, W., Increase Graduation Rates Virtually: Initial Credit, A. U. R., Like?, W., Kids, 5., Like?, W., Schools, F., Team, H. and M, 8.�If Your Edtech Product Won’t Solve Actual Problems, W., To Succeed in Edtech, B., Apps, 5., You, W., Increase Graduation Rates Virtually: Initial Credit, a., & Like?, W. et al. (2018). How to Create Interactive Stories with Google Forms - The Tech Edvocate. The Tech Edvocate. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/how-to-create-interactive-stories-with-google-forms/
Bell, K.
Bell, K. (2017). Shut the Front Door (Again)! Updated Differentiation With Google Forms. Shake Up Learning. Retrieved 16 October 2018, from https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/shut-the-front-door-digital-differentiation-with-google-forms
Choose Your Own Adventure. (2018). Creative Educator. Retrieved 30 October 2018, from https://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/v09/lessons/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure
Woodward, K.
Woodward, K. (2018). How To Write A 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Story. Blog.karenwoodward.org. Retrieved 30 October 2018, from http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2014/06/how-to-write-choose-your-own-adventure.html
Great guide for upper level writers
Create a Choose Your Own Adventure Story with Google Forms
Create a Choose Your Own Adventure Story with Google Forms. (2018). Create Dream Explore. Retrieved 30 October 2018, from https://www.createdreamexplore.com/2018/07/create-choose-your-own-adventure-story.html
�CYOA w/ Adobe Spark
Zavala, C. (2018). Create Your Own Adventure with Adobe Spark Post. iamclaudius.com. Retrieved 16 November 2018, from https://iamclaudius.com/create-your-own-adventure-with-adobe-spark-post/
�Make Math Not Suck�Posts, V. (2018). Choose Your Own Adventure *Updated*. Make Math Not Suck. Retrieved 16 November 2018, from https://makemathnotsuck.wordpress.com/2018/06/23/choose-your-own-adventure-updated/
Links
OneTab Bookmarks: https://www.one-tab.com/page/ha92HXH8RHa6F1QoY2x0dg