MARVIN: Changing the Art of the Storyteller

Luke Bender

Stephen Dudar sdudar@lssd.ca

Mapleton School

On the Menu…

Introductions Information about MARVIN Demonstration A look behind the curtain –Scripting

MARVIN content Opportunities and uses for MARVIN in

Canada

Introductions

Luke Bender – Grade 6 student at Mapleton School, Lord Selkirk School Division

Stephen Dudar – Principal at Mapleton School, involved in education, ICT, business and administration

What is MARVIN?

Portable digital storytelling and communication software

Utilizing:Animated avatarsScripted actionsSound – computer generated, voice and

music files Images – graphics, photos, powerpoint

We all have stories to tell…Storytelling is the most powerful way to put

ideas into the world today. —Robert McKee

If you tell me, it’s an essay. If you show me, it’s a story. —Barbara Greene

In the end all we have…are stories and methods of finding and using those stories. —Roger C. Shank, from Tell Me A Story

Why MARVIN?

Created in the Northern Territory of Australia - geographic challenges

Philosophy of empowerment and ownership for local communities

Create culturally specific and multi-lingual content for education and health training

Powerful yet easy to learn and use

Why MARVIN?

An innovative and engaging software platform used for distance delivery – customized content

Inexpensive means of delivering content Adaptable and flexible –modified as need

changes

See it for yourself…

http://www.marvin.com.au/marvin/Movies/Projects/BonyaStory.swf

MARVIN in Canada

Opportunities for Education and Health through Microsoft Partners in LearningPlanned training for late May in Manitoba25000 licenses available – little to no cost

A focus on our First Nations Peoples – content created by and delivered for target issues, for example:Literacy, drug abuse, diabetes, cultural

awareness, gangs, etc.

MARVIN in Canada Educational alternative for digital storytelling

Used in literature circles creating book trailers, etc.

Avatars are less threatening, safer role playing, consistent

Avoid having student pictures/video accessible –AUP

Easy to create, efficient use of time – focus on content not video editing or character creation process

Other Opportunities

Expertise required for avatar creation using 3D Image software – MayaSpecific cultural needsTraining and job opportunities open - Health,

Education, Government… Content creation Training Support

Open to the imagination! (training videos, book talks, lesson delivery…)

MARVIN requirements

MARVIN’S MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Microsoft Windows 2000 and above A Pentium III 550-megahertz (MHz) PC or faster At least 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM At least 181 MB free disk space for the core components An additional 8-12 MB free disk space typically for each character you

install RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS

Microsoft Windows XP (VISTA version available) A Pentium III 1- gigahertz (GHz) PC or faster At least 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM At least 181 MB free disk space for the core components An additional 8-12 MB free disk space typically for each character you

install. A Windows compatible sound card A set of speakers A microphone

More information about MARVIN?

MARVIN website:http://www.marvin.com.au/marvin/home.asp

OR

Contact via email: sdudar@lssd.ca