January 2008 — 21st-Century Classroom
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They Get the Picture
A recent report by Grunwald Associates in conjunction with the National School Boards Association reveals the degree to which social networking is a way of life with today's kids. The report notes that 9- to 17-year-olds who took part in the study spend almost as much time during the week using social networking tools and websites (nine hours) as they spend watching TV (10 hours).
In the study, kids ranked digital photography among the technologies they most commonly use during their social networking activities. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed said they post photos or artwork created by others at least once a week, while 22 percent said they post their own artwork at least that often. Overall, a whopping 49 percent said they had uploaded artwork or photos at least once. Such numbers underscore Rodoff's belief that photography can enhance the academic experience.
"What we are focusing on that is new is students' ability to create meaningful content in an academic environment," he says. "They are creators of content through their other sites, and this is a natural extension.
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Australian educator and technology consultant Keith Lightbody offers teachers a how-to guide on the use of digital cameras in the classroom, including tips on choosing the right kind of camera.
"The opportunity for instructors to be able to use digital photography in the design and planning of instruction, in addition to using it in impromptu and extemporaneous instruction, makes for a much more interesting learning experience, for both the students and the teachers."
But even in environments apart from social networking, digital cameras are helping students express themselves in ways that go far beyond the traditional learning experience. In a more classic use of the technology, middle school students at Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City, NJ, are able to participate in a digital photography elective as part of a partnership with Wingspan Arts, a New York City-based nonprofit that brings professional artist-educators into the school system. The students work with their Wingspan teacher, Laura Mozes, twice weekly for 13-week sessions to learn how to take high-quality photos with the school's digital cameras, and then manipulate the images using Adobe Photoshop Elements software.
