I can still remember when my parents
owned a bulky and heavy camera that wouldn’t allow them to see the outcome of
the photos until developed. My parents then purchased a small silver Kodak digital
camera; I can still recall my amazement when I discovered that I could see the
photos after taking them. The idea of deleting unwanted pictures and developing
only the ones I wanted fascinated me.
Today, several people still use digital cameras, but
many prefer to use the camera on their cell phones. It is a convenient portable
device, and the photos can easily be sent to other people, posted on social
media websites, and so much more. In my English classroom, I would love to incorporate
cameras into my lessons.
In the beginning of the school year, I could
instruct my students to take pictures of their hobbies and the people that are
important to them. They could then either develop the pictures or download them
into their computers. The pictures would be used to create a collage about
their lives. This would be a creative and fun way for students to express who
they are. As a teacher, I could get a sense of who my students are, so that I
could create lesson plans that are relevant to their lives.
Cameras would be used for writing assignments as
well. For example, for homework, I could instruct my students to take a picture
of a landscape. I would then have them come in and write a Picture Prompt based
on their picture. This way the students could feel more connected with their
writing.
I could also have my students use their cameras or cell phones to record a skit. The benefit of creating a skit is that it could be used to teach any novel or play. For example, if I were teaching Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, I would split my class up into groups and assign each group a theme. They would have to create a short film based on their interpretation of the novel, including setting, characters, clothing, props, accents, etc.
Not only can cameras be used in an English classroom, but in any subject area classroom. Several students are constantly posting pictures on Instagram and Facebook; therefore, incorporating cameras into the classroom would allow students to realize that their hobbies and the outside world apply to school.
I could also have my students use their cameras or cell phones to record a skit. The benefit of creating a skit is that it could be used to teach any novel or play. For example, if I were teaching Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, I would split my class up into groups and assign each group a theme. They would have to create a short film based on their interpretation of the novel, including setting, characters, clothing, props, accents, etc.
Not only can cameras be used in an English classroom, but in any subject area classroom. Several students are constantly posting pictures on Instagram and Facebook; therefore, incorporating cameras into the classroom would allow students to realize that their hobbies and the outside world apply to school.
This is a great idea. I have always believed that a pictures is worth a thousand words. It is very easy to design a lesson plan around the use of a camera. As you have pointed out Michelle, you can instruct students take a picture of a landscape and write a prompt about it. My subject area lies in social studies. I could have my students visit a historic location and take a picture. The student could write about what happened at their location and describe it to the class. Using a camera in the classroom also provides the students to become literate with technology. By allowing students to use cameras they are learning new skills that may spark an interest in them. This is a wonderful way to engage students in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI think using cameras is a good idea, but you have to be careful. Students are sneaky, some might use their camera when taking a test or doing classroom assignments and send it to other students. But I agree that bringing the visual arts into the classroom is a fun and creative way to get students to be more interactive.
ReplyDeleteI think using cameras just makes assignments, such as those that you mentioned, more fun and convenient for students who live for technology. It would be a great idea to create a graphic novel or a graphic story and use the cameras to document the production. Imagine the creative projects you would receive. Then you can have them write captions for each of their pictures. I think your students would love this and it wouldn't pressure them to be perfect at writing, but instead creative.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you brought a excellent concept for using digital photography in the classroom . As an art major, I appreciate how you include the visual arts to students who are able to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate their images in their writing assignments. Some of my lessons include these concepts, so students can initiate their critical thinking skills. Also, I think your absolutely right that using this concepts will get a sense of who your students are and that you are able to create lesson plans that are reverent to their lives. This in effect, will support their cognitive skills and enthusiasm in their assignments.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, this is a very cool idea! As the old saying goes, pictures speak 1000 words, and having a visual representation of words can really get your students to springboard ideas onto paper for them. It's also great how you would like them to record skits from their favorite novels with cameras, because it can give your students a visual understanding of the text that they are reading.
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