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
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Jen,
ReplyDeleteIt's a great point that our students have been exposed to this technology their whole lives. Sometimes it's new to us, not them. I liked the point that "we should bend technology to meet our needs instead of letting it drive our activities." You have found many ways in your work to bend the use of cameras to benefit student learning and supplement what was already being taught. Sometimes I see technology for the sake of technology in the classroom instead of being focused on class material. The critics of technology in schools often miss that most teachers use it an appropriate manner.
Hi Jen;
ReplyDeleteI liked this statement from the article, "Our main goal as teachers is to help students learn the curriculum". By using digital photography in the classroom not only are students learning visual literacy skills they are active participants in the learning process. I wrote on Joe's blog earlier today that I have students come to my college computing classes and sit down at their computers empty handed. They don't bring their books, CDs, USB storage devices, etc. to class. By the time your students go to college they will have learned that the classroom is much more than a place to sit and passively learn. They will be ready to participate and share knowledge with their peers.
Jen, I hope you also checked out Joe's video on the smart board. Your use of digital cameras is just one aspect of the enriched curriculum we can offer to our students. I also think that the use of digital media allows the students to develop depth of subject and practice "work flow" skills; like the video report the boys filmed after making up a survey with their classmates and then reporting out about it.
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