Teaching In The Digital Age Book Study

I'm not even IN the book study yet... but my blogging buddy Fran of Kindergarten Crayons (who always inspires me), posted about a book study on Teaching in The Digital Age. I've ordered the book, but can't wait to jump in on the discussion!! My comments would've been far to detailed to post at someone else's blog, so I decided to just join in here in the Teachers' Lounge! ;-) Apparently chapter two is all about using digital photography. Well, anyone that knows me knows I am ALWAYS taking photos. I take close to 1,000 pictures per school year. I LOVE taking photos all year long. Fran shared some GREAT ideas on how she uses digital photography in her class and asked others to share. Here are a few ways that I use digital photography in my classroom: (follow the links to learn more)

• When students come to school to drop off school supplies, I take photos of the student and their family (I save it for a DVD that I make for each student)
• a friend stands outside of school on the 1st day and capture candid photos of the children as the arrive on their first day of Kindergarten.
• take a photo of each child and use Power Point to make individual cards (with names) to use in the pocket chart (See video below)
• Science  students share what they know...(Fish, Octopus
• Going Green
• I use Photo Story 3 to make all kinds of videos for the students to support our learning
• Abe Lincoln
• George Washington
• 100 Days of school
• Counting (coins
• Counting in Polish (the photos were shot by students)
• Patterns
• Telling Time
• Support Literacy (Pete the Cat filmed with our iPad, Llama Llama, Nursery Rhymes, The Alphabet, Animal ABC)
• Learning about Same and Different (comparing classmates)
• Using the Paint Program for Drawing

a few samples (click to enlarge)

PocketChart Photos from Cindy Blakely on Vimeo.

OK...I could go on and on...I used photos all the time to assist students learning. My classroom blog was created (2007) to help give parents a peek inside our classroom. To provide a springboard for discussions at home (especially for those students who can't seem to answer the question..."What did you do at school today?" Parents can go to the blog, see the posts and talk to their child about school.
Back in the beginning of our blogging days we connected with Kindergartners in New Zealand and did a "cultural exchange". They don't have squirrels in New Zealand and my students and I sent them a package that included a squirrel puppet. It was so popular, the kids in NZ gave the squirrel his own blog. Each child got to take "Nutkin" home and each child made a video about their adventures.
Check out Nutkin's Blog for GREAT examples of how students as young as FIVE can use technology. Keep in mind this was (way) back in 2007! Imagine what they can do with today's technology!!
So, I hope this helps you see some fun ways you can combine digital photos with various technology tools to help keep students engaged and learning!
I hope my book arrives soon so I can officially join the book study! ;-)