M. Circe's List: Digital Photography

• "The main issue teachers need to be aware of when using digital cameras with students is the risk of damage to the camera," Miller pointed out. "Digital cameras are still relatively expensive, so students must be taught proper handling and safety rules when using the camera. I do one-on-one training sessions with students to ensure that they understand how to handle the camera. Then, when students 'pass' the required training and demonstrate knowledge of the careful handling rules, I take their picture and issue an 'Official Photographer' pass with the student's picture on the front and the rules on the back. Whenever a student is to use the camera, he or she must show the pass (just like a photographer for a newspaper or other press)."
• "The second most important issue to remember is ensuring that students take appropriate  photographs," Miller added. "The ease of using a digital camera allows students to snap many nonsense pictures. Plan on spending some time going over basic photography rules with students and explaining how to frame or set up a picture before it's taken. Some casual snapshots are okay and encouraged, but they need to be aware that some are inappropriate and to be able to judge for themselves what they should or should not photograph. You should also teach students to be choosy about the pictures they choose to print. Although paper and ink are less expensive than the cost of buying film and developing regular pictures, students still can't be wasteful."
• "Privacy is another issue to keep in mind is when publishing photographs," Miller noted. "Some students do not have permission to be photographed. Be aware of your school's policies and check with your principal before publishing any student picture, whether on paper or online."
• "Above all," Miller added, "remember that digital photography isn't just about taking pictures; it's about using the camera as a tool to help explore and understand other subjects!"

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• "One of the main goals of students using technology (after the normal ones of getting comfortable, doing research, and putting the results into a project) is to become creators of content," Nansen said. "Pictures of field trips or area events, local historical or geographical sites, of the school and city, documentaries of athletic and cultural events, and artistic photography all are great examples of students creating content.
• Sally Jenkins, who teaches Minot's gifted and talented students pointed out another good reason for using digital photography in the classroom. "Careful, purposeful observation is one of those skills that is not spelled out in the curriculum, yet is fundamental to many of the skills and 'pieces of content' we want our students to master," Jenkins said. "Looking through the eye of a lens gives another perspective that is so important when looking for the 'big picture' or zooming in on a detail. Both viewpoints can be a starting point to draw conclusions, test a hypothesis, or creatively interpret what we see. Common things become uncommon; the expected becomes a surprise -- all because our skills of observation are bound by what we see through the viewfinder. You can see this skill put to practice in the work of an artist (Georgia O'Keefe for example) or in science or in..."
• Why not "jump in" today by trying one of these two dozen activities for using   digital cameras in the classroom!

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• Overview     This lesson introduces students to the genre of multimedia presentations through a review and analysis of online presentations. Students then create their own multimedia presentations. The lesson stresses the importance of using media in compliance with copyright protection.
• Student Objectives     Students will 
   
  • analyze an online multimedia presentation to identify characteristics of the genre. 
  • identify modes of text that are most effective for their audience and purpose. 
  • create an original multimedia presentation.  
   

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    Explore photography and digital imaging to discover new ways of combining visual and textual composition to enhance every area of the curriculum. Create a scrapbook that includes photographs, video clips, audio clips, and student work. First, choose a format based on your available resources. Examples include PowerPoint presentations, websites, videotapes, or booklets. Keep a camera/video equipment handy, and include some of these in your project: 

   
  • Students’ favorite pieces of writing or artwork, including descriptive captions or commentary
     
  • Videotapes of songs or skits
     
  • Students’ descriptions of what they are learning, via a video or audio interview or in writing
     
  • Photomontages of units studied 
   Work on your scrapbook throughout the year, and then present it to parents at an end-of-year party!

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      Student Objectives     Students will
     
   
  • Access prior knowledge about a familiar children’s book character
     
     
  • Use a graphic organizer to describe the character’s traits and personality
     
     
  • Deepen their knowledge about the character by reading and discussing books and websites about him
     
     
  • Extend what they have learned about the character by developing a new storyline about him that includes appropriate actions
     
     
  • Practice sequencing by ordering the events in their storyline
     
     
  • Use a new technology to create an alternative version of a “book” that incorporates this storyline
     
     
  • Work collaboratively to develop the storyline and create a digital book

• If you teach U.S. geography, or if you're an armchair traveler who wants to explore America without leaving your seat cushion--you've come to the right place.

  • Seems like a great resource for inspiring the creation of custom postcards for hometown landmarks.
  Add Sticky Note

• Digital cameras are becoming more and more popular, especially for classroom use.  They have many advantages:  pictures are immediately available, pictures are saved in graphic format, and they are easily transferred from the camera to the computer.
• Remember, it's not really about taking pictures, but using the camera as a tool to help you explore and understand other subjects!
• Take pictures during plays, sporting events, or other special events.  Make a slide show of these activities.
• Take pictures during the day to give a photographic record of classroom procedures.  Print the pictures out and post them so students can review the procedures as needed.
• 1. Have each kindergartner choose a letter.  Then, go on a walk around the school or in the neighborhood. When the child finds something that begins with that letter, take a picture of the child with that object.  Use the pictures to create a class alphabet chart.
• Take pictures to document other growth, such as plants, butterflies, frogs, etc.  Use these pictures to illustrate life cycles or stages of growth.

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