Digital+Images

__**Digital Images **__ For my short course, I learned about using your digital camera to capture quality photographs. I was surprised to learn that even the mediocre camera is capable of so much more than the average person knows. The key is in learning how to utilize these functions in your camera. Exposure and colors play a big role, but even how you hold the camera can effect the shot you produce. There are several things in my reading that were so simple, but really helpful. You can read about them by clicking [|HERE.] I think by being aware of the [|automatic function on a camera], I can better document my class and their adventures, and better help them to take their own pictures of our time together.

I am conflicted as to the best camera to use in my classroom, simply because I will be teaching younger children and don't want an expensive camera that they can damage. I almost feel that I would want to have two, maybe a simpler, sturdier CoolPix for the children to use, and a higher quality camera for me as the teacher. I think with the higher quality camera is a parent-friendly choice, simply because artistic and truly accurate photos can be taken, as well as videos to demonstrate their child's time in class. With the CoolPix, the children can be encouraged to develop focus, artistic skills, digital media skills, and the responsibility and initiative of using a more valuable object and earning that use.

In an Early Childhood classroom, use of the digital camera would be simple. Some ideas for using the camera in my classroom would be: -Make student name tags with pictures of each child, helpful for learning names, especially in the case of a substitute. -Using pictures for job charts, finished assignments, or question of the day answering -Record bulky art projects or take-home crafts for the child's end of year portfolio -Taking pictures of the classroom set-up or centers to remember for next year or to better visualize a change -Take a picture of where the toys go when they are put away, to help children remember how we clean up -Take pictures to show progress over time, i.e. handwriting, art, coloring, etc.  -Before taking a field trip, take pictures of the location, and have the children use the pictures as a kind of scavenger hunt when on the field trip -Make visual stories to introduce the concept of beginning, middle, and end -Students may create projects with pictures of a theme, i.e. color, shape, etc. -For parties, take close-up pictures of their eyes and have them match them with their friends

More ideas may be found HERE: http://www.shortcourses.com/use/using1-1.html