I was giving a Mini presentation about the uses of Digital Cameras in the classroom. Almost everyone has access to some kind of camera, on the phone or with a camera. Either way it's a piece of technology that is very easy to get your hands on and use. Although not everyone is comfortable with using it outside of snapping shots of childrens work and activities.
First of all I think it's important to give a lesson or two on how to use and make the most of the camera.
> experiment, try lots of different kinds of shots out, play around with it
> Take lots of shots of the same thing and choose the best
> Check your backrounds, avoid anything you don't like
> Balance shots between places, people and things, don't over do anything
> Discuss and learn how to hold the camera
> Find the point of interest in each shot, focus
> Close up, using the zoom
> Focal lock
> Rule of Thirds, how to arrange each shot
> Reviewing shots, decide which ones are good and bad, be honest
> Different modes for different situations
> Exposure, lighting (for older children)
Here's some ideas that you could use in class and with your kids!!
Guessing Games/Memory Games
Zoom in on objects and allow the children to guess what the object is
Match pairs of photos
Photo A Go-Go
Photos of a Teddy Bear on his travels around the town, around the world or during after school activities. Clever way to start a diary of Bears adventures or letter writing.
Alphabet Soup
Taking photos of an object from every letter of the alphabet eg: A for Apple B for Ball C for Carrot
Scavenger Hunt
Can be used to find objects from a variety of subject matters eg science or geography
Introduction to class at the start of the year, teamwork
Advanced Maths trail
Just make a list and let each team have their own camera, once the team stays together and each play a part
eg: for younger classes: something in your favourite colour, something new, a bird, an insect, something warm
eg: for older classes: a mammal, something that has value, something that does not grow, something magnetic
Wise words today? Take your camera out for a walk and have some fun with it!
