Digital Cameras~Creative Learning

I don’t know about you, but I love taking pictures! They can express so much and are a special way to preserve our memories. Whoever thought of using digital cameras in the classroom was a genius! How inspiring it must be for children and families to be able to look back and see what has been captured in the classroom through pictures.
I am going to share some of my most favorite uses for digital cameras in the classroom that I have learned from my classes and educational conferences. I hope they will inspire you to TAKE PICTURES and to be creative in your use of them to motivate, inspire and even challenge your students to look at their world in a whole new way!

1. At the beginning of the year take a picture of all of your students. Then print off and laminate their pictures and make a book of your students. You could always include their names and fun graphics if you wanted to. The kids love to see themselves in books!

2. Document your year in your classroom and then at the end of the year put together a power-point presentation or a DVD to show and then give to the parents and families of your students.

3. Have the children take turns taking pictures of whatever they want… things they like, their favorite toys, books, flowers etc. Then print off the pictures, laminate them and then help your students write a story or captions for their photos. Compile it all into a book that they have created! (You could also have your students do this for a specific subject for a project…create a book on different cloud formations etc. You can adapt this project for more advanced grades as well.)

4. Have your student’s document something in creation…the turning of the leaves, a stormy day, a cocoon, the growth of a plant, etc. Help them create a presentation with their documentation.

5. Take pictures of student’s projects and artwork to publish on a blog or web page. Family, and especially proud grandparents, love to see what their children are doing.

6. Take pictures on field trips! Document your day and publish it and what you learned through a blog, web page or simply a presentation you put together.

7. Plan a photo scavenger hunt in your classroom or throughout your school. Have students look for objects related to a specific topic or subject being discussed.

8. For younger students, make book with them. Let them take pictures of a certain color and create “Blue Book”. Create a number book using objects around your room.

9. Use photos in art projects!! Create frames and then place the children’s photo in them. There are endless possibilities for this one! Be creative!! Let your kids tell you what they would want to create.

10. Create an alphabet wall mural by having the children choose a letter. Then let them take a picture of something that begins with that letter. Print off your pictures and hang them on your wall!!

The integration of technology is becoming increasingly important in our classrooms. Students must become more and more proficient in their navigation of the technological world. Using cameras is a fun and easy way to get your students familiar with another piece of technology. With using cameras comes the opportunity to incorporate creating power-points, video presentations, uploading and managing photos and organizing and categorizing; as age allows, let your student be a part of every learning opportunity that can come with a simple digital camera!