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