West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Digital Photography for Middle School TeachersDebra Resch, Computer Education Facilitator
Community Middle School
Plainsboro, NJ
WELCOME!
Everyone enjoys photography, but is it practical to use photography in your classroom? With the use of digital cameras, the answer is a resounding YES! If you aren't convinced, take a few minutes to read through the following articles to find out how digital photography can enhance your lessons. Your students will thank you!Education World: Smile! Digital Cameras Can Make Your Day
Adobe: Digital Kids Club
Discover Education: Kathy Schrock's Digital Gadgets for EducatorsModule Prerequisites
Technology Requirements:
- Attended orientation meeting
- Successfully completed course tour and orientation activities
- Familiarity with Google/West Windsor-Plainsboro services and content - email, calendar, news, weather and more - all in a single place.
- Arranged for use of a digital camera (school loan via the media center or own personal camera)
All of the school computers should have FLASH, QUICKTIME,and ADOBE ACROBAT READER.
If you are working from your home computer, you may need to install these programs.
Eventually, you will also need to download and install PICASA (directions to follow).
Module Goals & Objectives
Students must meet all goals and objectives to earn full PD credit (5 hours)
- Using provided resource site information, students will be able to shoot and retrieve photos from their digital camera.
- Using provided resource site information; students will be able to explain and provide examples of the concept of resolution and how it relates to web vs. print output.
- Using provided resource site instructions. The students will be able to download and configure Picasa for their own computer,
- Using provided resource site instructions; students will be able to utilize the Picasa picture library to create their own individualized photo organization scheme.
- Given 5 flawed photos, students will demonstrate their ability to utilize Picasa editing features (crop, straighten, redeye, auto contrast & color, and fill light according to specifications.
- Using provided resource site instructions, the students will be able to upload and share photos (with class members) via Picasa’s Web Album feature.
- Using provided resource site information, students will be able shoot, edit, upload, share and explain their creative intent for at least three photos demonstrating an understanding of three different categories/technical aspects: Composition, Lighting, Action/Panning, Still Life, Portraits, and Nature.
- Using a photo rubric, students will utilize Picasa commenting feature to critique each other’s photos.
- Using Google groups, students will communicate one new resource web site that could include a lesson plan or technique related to the use of digital photography in education.
Let's get started!
HOPEFULLY, YOU ARE FINISH WITH THE INTRO! -2- Using your camera & improving photo quality -3- Using Picasa to edit and organize photos -4- Activities
