(Almost) Two Dozen Ways to use Digital Photography in the Classroom

1. Photograph students dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up and use the pictures to illustrate career reports.
2. Take lots of pictures while on a class field trip. Have students write a caption for each picture, post the photos and captions to a Web site to create a virtual field trip.
3. Photograph “a day in the life of your classroom" for parent Open House. Create a slide show to run as parents tour your classroom.
4. Store a photograph with each student's electronic portfolio.
5. Assign pairs of students to walk through the school to find such examples of geometric shapes as circles, triangles, parallel lines, obtuse angles, and so on. Label each photo and create a geometry book.
6. Photograph community landmarks and have students create a brochure about your community.
7. For younger students, take pictures of easily recognizable signs in your community and assemble the photos into an "I Can Read" book.
8. Use photographs to illustrate the process for complicated projects or for science experiments. 9. Write a class novel and illustrate it with live-action photos of your students.
10. Take pictures of class procedures and display them in the classroom as a reminder.
11. Create a seating chart with photographs for substitutes.
12. Take pictures of each child’s eyes, nose, feet, or mouth only. Have children try to match each student to his or her body part.
13. Make picture frames for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift. Glue each photo into a decorated jar lid and glue a magnet to the back.
14. Document the growth of classroom plants or animals with daily or weekly photos.
15. Take photos of school staff performing their duties. Write a caption for each photo and create a Community Workers book.
16. Snap a black-and-white headshot of each student, size it to ¼ page, and place a box frame around it. Place a blank box the same size as the framed picture beside it. Have students draw ½-inch to 1-inch gridlines in pencil in both boxes and label the gridlines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on in each direction. Then have students try to duplicate their pictures by drawing only what they see in each grid.
17. Take a photograph of each student at the beginning and end of the school year. Have students complete Venn diagrams of themselves, showing how they have -- and haven’t -- changed during the year.
18. Compile a set of file cards naming such abstract concepts or emotions as freedom, love, hate, honor, joy, sorrow, patriotism, responsibility, and respect. Have students select a card at random and take a photograph illustrating that concept.
19. Have each student choose a letter and find an object that begins with that letter. Take a picture of the child with the object and use the pictures to create a class alphabet chart.
20. Arrange students into groups and assign each group one of the five senses. Have each group photograph the appropriate sensory organ and then have them take pictures of objects that organ might best perceive. pictures to illustrate such science concepts as food chain, biodiversity, biome, and so on.
21. Have students go on a photographic scavenger hunt, taking pictures of the objects they find rather than retrieving the objects themselves.
22. Take pictures of plants or animals in your community and use them to create a field guide of local wildlife

The Visual Learner

A Visual Learner Learns Best By:

*Taking notes and making lists to read later
*Reading information to be learned
*Learning from books, videotapes, filmstrips and printouts
*Seeing a demonstration

THE VISUAL LEARNER WILL NEED TO SEE ALL STUDY MATERIAL

.1.Practice visualizing (mental imagery) or picturing spelling words
.2.Write out everything for frequent and quick visual review
.3.Analyze words by tearing them apart and putting them back together (to-get-her- together)
.4.Use color coding when learning new concepts (x and y axis different color when graphing)
.5.Use enlarged paper for graphing, making it easier for the visual learner to plot lines
.6.Use outlines of reading assignments which cover key points and guide your reading
.7.Draw lines around the configuration of printed words and structural word elements
.8.Use charts, maps, timelines, and filmstrips when learning new material
.9.Use notes and flash cards for review of material, vocabulary, and terminology for a specific course
.10.Use a dictionary. All the visual cues are present: syllabication, definitions, configurations, affixes, etc
.11.Use graphic organizers and diagrams
.12.Use videos
.13.Utilize "mapping" techniques and draw pictures symbolizing information
.14.Highlight and underline key concepts
.15.Retype notes - use different fonts, bold print, and underline important concepts and facts.

VISUAL LEARNER STRATEGIES in MATHEMATICS

*Use visual cues such as flash cards and concrete items.
*Use graph paper for organizing math problems.
*Color code math problems.

READING/LITERATURE

*When learning new vocabulary words, look up their meaning in the dictionary and write down their definition on flash cards.
*Sit close to the instructor for writing board demonstration, etc.
*Use sight words, flash cards - then close your eyes and visualize what you have seen.
*Use charts, graphs, and other visual cues.WRITING/SPELLING
*Use visual study methods rather than recitation of words.
*Write each spelling word several times.
*Trace words with colored marking pens.
*Visualize words mentally and then reproduce them on paper.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

*Learn new material with visual stimulation (videos, computers, etc.).
*Use colored pens when taking notes - each color represents a degree of importance--blue notes are main themes, red notes are supporting details, green notes are specific details.

FACTS ABOUT THE VISUAL LEARNER

Is A Natural At

*Dressing well, putting clothes together easily
*Remembering details and colors of what he/she sees
*Reading, spelling and proof reading
*Remembering faces of people he/she meets (forgets names); remembers names seen in print
*Quietly taking in surroundings
*Creating mental photosStudying/Reading Characteristics
*Reads for pleasure and relaxation; reads rapidly
*Can spend long periods of time studying
*Requires quiet during study
*Learns to spell words in configurations rather than phoneticallyDifficulties in School
*Having to take action before either seeing or reading about what needs to be done
*Working in an environment with noise or movement
*Turning out sounds (not very easy responsive to music)
*Listening to lectures without visual pictures or graphics to illustrate
*Working in classrooms with drab colors
*Working under fluorescent lights (makes it hard to concentrate)

The History of Storytelling

This article certainly makes you think about why storytelling all began, and how so many of the reasons stories were shared are still relevant today. The passing of knowledge and wisdom through the telling of stories is something that has always existed and probably always will.

What is storytelling? "Relating a tale to one or more listeners through voice and gestures." Would this change if stories were told through digital storytelling? Certainly voice would be used and gestures could be added in a wide variety of formats.

How do stories help children understand themselves and relate to others? Children are able to make connections to the experiences of the characters, relating their own feelings to those of the characters. Stories also allow children to expand their understanding of the world.

How do children grow when they become story tellers?
-They learn to sequence events
-They develop problem solving skills
-They grow in self-confidence
-They develop vocabulary
-They feel important

The Storyteller's Creed

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over expereince. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death."

Robert Fulghum

This article is very valuable, because it focuses on the true value of telling stories, whether it be through reading aloud or digital storytelling. Stories allow children to develop immeasurable skills and gain endless experience.

Differentiating Instruction and Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling certainly allows for differentialted instruction. It captures the interests of the students and can be individualized for each student. Teachers have the opportunity to individualize the content, process and product based on the readiness of the student and their comfort level with technology.

http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech/digital-storytelling-26161

Enduring Understanding

We learn...

10% of what we READ

20% of what we HEAR

30% of what we SEE

40% of what we both SEE and HEAR

70% of what is DISCUSSED with others

80% of what we EXPERIENCE personally

95% of what we TEACH someone else

-William Glasser

What is digital storytelling anyways?

"Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights."

Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling

Point of View
A Dramatic Question
Emotional Content
The Gift of your Voice
The Power of the Soundtrack
Economy
Pacing