Week 6, Post 3

Gayle Rubenstein did and excellent job in this article for Teaching & Learning. She not only discusses great ideas for using a digital camera at various ages but she writes about the evolution that has happened when using digital cameras in schools. One of the things that Rubenstein says is that cameras and photos were once only used to document field trips, school events, and just taking pictures of students. Now, teachers are using the cameras to enhance lessons. assisst in teaching world languages, and using them for immediate recognition of acheivement. Rubenstein traked the teachers for 2 years and saw a change in how and why teachers and students were using digital cameras. I wonder though if she saw a change in how the students were learning and if there was an increase in understanding of lessons because of the addition of the pictures.

http://www.techlearning.com/article/2272

Week 6, Post 2

PE and Digital Cameras, who would have thought. The lesson that I found incorporates the use of digital cameras and physical education. One thing that concerned me when I first read the lesson was the age group, an 8 year old's gymnastics class. Then I read how they would be using the cameras. The teacher would have the students photograph each other, and the teachers would take pictures also, to help the students see their progression in the class. They were also hoping for feedback from the students. When I thought about how they were going to use the cameras and the age group I was impressed. Students who are that young learn better by seeing. If they can see their cartwheel go from something that looks awkward and sloppy to a straight leg, beautifully landed cartwheel they will know they are learning. It is instant. It helps increase visually literacy and understanding of one's abilities. This is a way I would never have thought of using a digital camera.

www.teachingandlearningtameside.net/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=1028&Itemid=31

Week 6, Post 1

I seem to have stumbled across an article by Intel, which doesn't directly site the use of a digital camera, but it does focus on using "flexible technology" to enhance education. The article gives concrete examples of how these technology tools enhance any learning environment and helps students become a part of what they are learning.

Intel calls these tools "Open Source Solutions" and gives you reasons on why they should be purchased. Some of the reasons sited are:

• affordability
  
• tailoring for local needs
• framework for rich curriculum content
• educational solutions

These are all solid reasons to include technology in the classroom. The use of digital cameras can easily fit into these categories. The only issue I see is that the article is a huge sales push for Intel products. It is hard to get past the Intel sales pitch and read the article for its true value of supporting technology being put into classrooms.

cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/27/41/274112_274112.pdf

Week 5, Post 3

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas... As I research digital cameras and education I have realized that there are hundreds of ideas and very little research available that proves that using a digital camera enhances education. There is no research available that says that a digital camera hinders education either. The article "The Use of Digital Cameras to Enhance the Learning Experience" in Digital Education gives a brief summary of how digital cameras help enhance education. The only problem I really feel is out there is that there is no research to support what seems to be the opinions of the author. I would love to see a study done on how digital cameras enhance education or don't. This article does gives a bit of information to support that idea.
www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_Articles/PDF/473.pdf

Video Capture Assignment

I chose to teach about adding digital pictures to a power point presentation. Enjoy!

Week 5, Post 2

Another school, another teacher singing the praises of the use of digital cameras in the classroom. Lori Miller from Wacona Elementary in Waycross, GA has posted this wonderful website that breaks downs the issues and the benefits of of using a digital camera in the classroom. Some of the points she makes are:
1. Using a digital camera helps the students become part of the subject
2. Students learn the ease and immediacy of using a digital camera
3. It enhances the students computer skills

Some of the issues she brings up are:
1. The chance for damage is high when using the camera with younger students
2. Ensuring that the students take appropriate pictures
3. Privacy when publishing photos
If you think about it, these issues actually can be a benefit. When dealing with these issues with students you can help teach them responsibility.

The remainder of the site is dedicated to helping teachers get started with projects and several ideas for lessons that use digital cameras.

I really like this site, however I am concerned about one thing. Where did she get her information? Did she do research to find out the benefits or where they assumptions? These are the types of questions I want answered before I rely on a site to help me in my classroom.

http://www.wacona.com/digicam/digicam.html

Week 5, Post 1

In Rockdale County, Georgia teachers are finding that using digital cameras in their classrooms has become a standard that has helped increase the learning that is taking place. The teachers feel that today's students have been exposed to digital images, video, etc their entire lives. By using digital cameras during lessons, they are simply using what the students know in order to increase visual literacy. It also helps with many learning styles and students who may not be a pencil and paper learner still feel like they have mastered the information being taught. Teachers also feel that using digital photograpgyhy on the classroom compliments any subject area. All in all they find that the use of digital photography benefits their students and enhances their overall educational expirience.
http://www.rockdale.k12.ga.us/personal/mholbrook/dig_photos/default.aspx

Week 4, Post 3

This is the website I have been looking for. Keith Lightbody deicates his entire site to explaining why and how digital photography enhances education. Lightbody says, "Digital cameras are one of the single most successful Information and Communications Technology purchases you can make in a school. They enhance communication for students and teachers." This is a bold statement to make at the beginning of a website. The best part is Lightbody backs this up with the why. Some of the points that he makes are:

• digital encourages faster learning, more fun and greater creativity with photography
• students new to photography appreciate a learning environment where there is no 'penalty' for mistakes
• digital cameras promote visual literacy

These are just a few of the many points made to help show that adding digital photography to your curriculum really does enhance the education students are getting.

http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/digcam.htm

Lightbody, K. Digital Cameras Enhance Education, September 2007

Week 4, post 2

As an elementary school teacher it is often hard to find articles specifically geared towards the lower grade levels, especially when it comes to using technology in the classroom. It seems as if the authors of many of the technology based articles think that elementary aged students either don't understand technology or don't use it. The worst thing is when they just assume that there is no access to technology for these young learners. As a teacher who loves to integrate technology into the classroom it is frustrating.

I have been researching the use of a digital camera in the classroom and trying to see if by using one the learning being done is enhanced. I found an article, "Quick, Get the (Digital) Camera," in Education World. It is the first article I have found that I feel focusing specifically on the elementary aged student and their use of a digital camera in the classroom. While there are no specific references to the education being enhanced by the digital camera, you get the feeling that it happened when you read the article and looked through the links. The ideas for ways to use the camera are great and I could see using many of them in my classroom.

Lori Miller, a teacher in Georgia, says, "Embrace it and share your ideas with others who might be hesitant. Brainstorm with students and fellow teachers. Try some of the ideas you come up with, write down what works and what doesn't work, and then, brainstorm again. The more you learn, the more you'll want to learn about digital photography." This truly sums up why we need to introduce this newer technology into our classrooms. If we all follow Ms. Miller's advice, we will see a great enhancement in the education our students have.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech148.shtml

Week 4, Post 1

I have really tried to focus my search on using digital photography in a social studies classroom and what it can do to enhance a student's reading. However, I have had very limited success in finding any research, articles, etc that focus solely on digital photography in social studies. I have decided to change my focus. I still want to look into digital photography and education and if it really enhances student performance. I am just going to focus on general education though.
Having said all of this, here is my most recent discovery. "Using a Digital Camera in the Classroom" from the University of Maryland breaks down using the digital camera to enhance any project. It covers every subject, including social studies, and gives great ideas on projects that would look even better if digital pictures were included. I really liked that a list of additional sites was included. It led to many great ideas for my classroom.
Jennifer
http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~toh/image/DigitalCameraUses.htm

Week 3, Post 3

Ideas for Photography in Education
I found this article in ezine, which is an online photography periodical. So to find a list of ideas of how to use photography in the education was very exciting. Ezine tends to have experts writing for them so the information can be trusted. All 17 ideas are great. I wa especially excited by #16, See the History. I believe that using digital pictures in a history class is a great way to engage the students. This idea does just that. I feel like I could take any of these ideas and bring them into my classroom, regardless of the age of the students. It is very encouraging to see that photography experts see a use for photography in education.
Check out the entire list of ideas in Ezine at:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Photography-in-Education---Ideas-For-Using-Photography-to-Enhance-the-Educational-Experience&id=1439826

Week 3, Post 2

file://localhost/private/var/tmp/folders.501/TemporaryItems/Word%20Work%20File%20D_1.htm
I found this amazing thesis paper written by Michael J. Berson. His paper brings to light everything I believe to be true about bringing a digital camera into the classroom. Some of the points that Mr. Berson brings up that help prove my point are:
1. "digital images can be used to foster historical inquiry by engaging students in activities that encourage them to explore their own communities"
2. "Integrating Digital Images into Social Studies Teacher Education Creating effective technology-based activities necessitates knowledge of the topic, of available multimedia resources, and the ability to engage students in the inquiry process. It also requires a discerning ability to understand when to employ technology versus traditional materials in instruction."
3. "use digital images of their community to enhance their perspectives of local history, economics, geography, and politics."
I feel that these points along with several others that are made help prove the need for digital tachnology in the classroom. I could bring this to the powers that be in order to justify the need for cameras and other digital technologies in my classroom and throughout the school.

It's Here

I have finally found the proof I have been looking for. The article below comes from "The History Teacher" and outlines the benefits of using digital photography in the history classroom.

"Teaching Social Studies with Technology: New Research on Collaborative Approaches" (http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/40.1/taylor.html) really breaks down the benefits from student achievement to activities and engagement. This is the first article I have found that shows how critical adding this type of technology is to one specific subject.

Some of the highlights are:
1. Students who used technology, including digital cameras, to do research reports scored higher on tests of the same subject matter.

2. Students, who at one time said that when they thought of their history class the only word that came to mind was boring, are now more engaged in class and excited about learning.

3. By increasing the use of technology in the classroom, teachers have discovered new was to teach and activate student's learning. It also helps teach students with many different learning styles.

Using a Digital Camera in the Classroom

I am actually n love with the site I have found.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/7123/camera.html
While the site is from 1998, the information is still very useful. Using a Digital Camera in the Classroom is the website for a class in Learning and Instruction. It breaks down how to use a digital camera and then gives examples of lessons to use your digital photos in. The ideas for writing lessons are incredible. The site actually breaks down why you should use digital photography and what the benefits are. This is the first time I have seen benefits of using Digital Photography in writing. While I have been looking for benefits of using digital photography in social studies, I feel that the benefits covered here are usable in any subject.

Social Studies Classes That Use Digtal Cameras

This website is really great. There are 5 lessons, all in Social Studies, that all include using digital cameras. http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ucfcasio/social.htm
I especially like the lesson entitled "Know Your Community." The lesson uses digital photos to teach about the community. One of the objectives is to develop the student's digital technology skills. I think it is great that the lesson is teaching kids about the uses of technology not just expecting them to play around and put some pictures on their project.
There is one lesson that is a little above elementary age, the "Welcome to Our School" book is written for 7th - 12th graders, but I really feel like 4th-6th graders could handle it if they had support.

Oops

I have no idea why this site is no longer working, but the lesson was amazing. I have copied and pasted the lesson below. It was originally published on HotChalk's Lesson Plans Page. It was written by John Skaggs.

Title - Digital Camera and Geography
By - John Skaggs
Primary Subject - Social Studies
Secondary Subjects - Art, Computers & Internet
Grade Level - 9-12

Topic:

Hometown Geography

Rationale:

To show students that history and geography are all around us all the time.

Content Standard:

• 1.2 - Comprehending the past
• 5.1 - Information processing
• 6.2 - Group discussion, and
  - Use available technologies to communicate with others on a class assignment or project.

Materials:

• Camera
• Computer
• Power Point
• E-mail account

Procedure:

"For this assignment, we will be looking at geographic areas in our own city. Each student will take a camera (provided by the school or your own) and take five pictures of different geography themes around us. This could be a tree, rock formation, hill, or stream. We will put these pictures onto a computer and make a PowerPoint presentation.

You will be paired with a partner. You will share your pictures with your partner and give your thoughts on how old these objects are and how they got there. This communication must be done out of class and via e-mail or instant messenger. Text messaging is appropriate. We will then see if we can analyze these pictures and find out how they got there and how old they may be.

Assessment:

This assignment teaches students to communicate with each other in person as well as via electronic devices. I will see how well they communicated with each other as well as how well they can follow directions as to taking pictures and giving details about them."

Geography Lessons

I finally found a great online lesson that includes digital photography in the plans. The "Hometown Geography" lesson not only includes digital photography, but it includes internet use and using PowerPoint. The lesson was written for 9th - 12th graders, however I think that the lesson can be adjusted to fit any grade level.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSArtCIDigitalCameraAndGeography912.htm

This is the first lesson that I found that included the use digital photography to do more then just add pretty pictures to make the project look nice. The digital photos were used to enhance the learning.

Cameras in the Classroom!

I have been searching and searching for anything that connects using a digital camera to specific subjects in school. I have yet to find anything that gives me proof that using a digital camera enhances let say social studies, but I feel like I am one step closer after reading this article in Education World. (http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech147.shtml)

"Smile! Digital Cameras Can Make Your Day" is the first bit of information I have come across that really gives any proof that using digital cameras helps a student enhance their learning of specific topics. The examples that are give also helps with ideas and actual hands on uses for the anti-digital world. I feel like I am on my way to finding out what I feel is true, that digital photography increases learning.

The Digital Revolution

So last time I found this great article that covered the 5 reasons why we should teach digital photography in our classrooms. It gave some solid reasons why teachers need to include this skill in their curriculum. Unfortunately it didn't really really go into what digital photograph does for subjects. This article, "Picture This: Using Photography to Teach Science, Math, and Writing (http://www.edutopia.org/photography-how-to-project-learning) really, in my opinion, goes into how to use photography in the classroom to enhance specific subject matters.

The article begins by telling you why to teach photography and how to start and then goes into how to use it in science, math, and writing. I really enjoyed reading about the summer class that the students took and how they used their photos to learn math, science, and writing. I was hoping to see some ideas for how to incorporate photos into social studies lessons. I am still looking for something that helps me discover how to use pictures in history.

Bringing Students into the World of Digital Photography

I have always believed that adding visuals into any lesson helps a student really grasp a concept. When I started to ask my students to take their own pictures to include in their lesson work, I found that they understood the concepts even better and they took more pride in their assignments. As I started to look for research to support my thoughts on the uses of digital photography in the classroom I came across a few really great articles that supported my views.

One such article, "Five Reasons to Teach Digital Photography," (http://photography.lovetoknow.com/Teaching_Digital_Photography_to_Students) really hammers home why teachers need to teach their students about digital photography. The five reasons presented give clear reasons for why this skill needs to be brought into the classroom. Unfortunately, the one thing that is not discussed in detail, only mentioned, is what digital to photography can bring to various subjects such as history, math, or science.

Being a New Mom

Welcome to my new world. I am now a mom and I'm getting used to taking care of my son, my husband, and of course me. Eli was born on December 29, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. He was three weeks early and we hadn't had a chance to get everything we needed. Not a surprise. From what I understand no new mom ever feels complete prepared. Since I'm a planner and organization freak, that doesn't sit well with me. I am trying to go with the flow. It's as big a challenge as taking care of my precious baby boy.

Things are very different now. I could care less about stacks of laundry or a made bed. I worry about what I have on the TV, you never know what a baby's mind holds onto. I also cannot find a problem that is worth holding onto anger for. Eli has made me a better person and a much happier person.

I can't wait to track his adventures and our lives with our wonderful son. It is going to be a fantastic journey.

As for me, I am working towards my master's degree in Educational technology. I love implementing what I learn in my classes into my classroom. I have a new found love of digital photography and I have found several ways to use it in education. I plan on investigating all of the ways digital photography can help students expand their knowledge in areas such as history and math. I also want to see how you can use digital photography to help you write. I will focus a great number of my posts on articles and information I find on how to incorporate digital photography into todays classrooms.