EDM310 classblog Melissa Keeler Implications and Teaching Opportunities for Camera Use in Teaching and Learning

PART A

As evidenced in a recent study by Zogby Analytics, today's teen has and continuously uses a smartphone. Smartphones usually have a camera built into them making it easy to take great pictures or video anytime anywhere. A smartphone usually grants the user the ability to access the internet as well. The implications and opportunities for teaching are endless with this wonderful tool in hand.

The students could be asked to make a video or picture journal at the end of each week summing up what they have learned from the material of that week. The students could be directed to take photographs of something/s in nature that interest them. After the photo has been selected and edited, the student can then research what is in the photo. All of this can be done on the smartphone. Once the student has thoroughly researched their subject, they will be directed to write a paper on their subject of at least 3 pages in length.


PART B

Personally as a teacher I will have my students use their smartphones (unless the school I work for absolutely prohibits it) every day. I mentioned a few of my ideas already in PART A. I will go ahead and refresh...Weekly photo or video journal about what has been learned in class that week. Take photos of nature and pick out one they like the most. Once they have cropped, enhanced, and edited the photo they will research the subject in the photo. After the research is done they will write a paper at least 3 pages long about their subject. The cameras can be used to make a photo family tree. The students can take photos of each other and then do research and write a report on each other. The students can use the camera to "catch" each other doing good or positive things like following directions or adhering to the dress code. Students can use video to record themselves reading a passage in a book then play it back to hear or see any corrections that need to be made. Students can write a movie then video themselves acting out the parts. They can then edit, cut, add music or text. The final product would be a finished movie that the students can then choose to share or keep to themselves. Make book reports more interesting by having the students make a movie about their book as well as writing a report. Take video shots of a class plant everyday at the same time of day, same angle, etc. from seed to adult plant. When the single shots are spliced in together the entire life-cycle of the plant will be revealed. This can also be done to show the degeneration of an object as well. Take any fruit or vegetable of your students' choice and take a video still of it as explained above. When put together it is quite a show! These are just a few ideas off the top of my head. The possibilities are never ending and forever growing, what an exciting time to be an educator and learner!