This week, our EdTech inquiry is based around a National Geographic for Learning video on teaching photography to young learners.
Some of the tips given in the video by Gabby Salazar are great to keep in mind when teaching photography to elementary aged students. Below is a rundown on what she focussed on, along with our critique of her ideas.
Tips for teaching photography:
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Exploring various natural spaces with a camera in hand gives students a clear purpose for being outdoors. This leads them to be more mindful of their surroundings, and notice things they might not otherwise. Incorporating photography fits perfectly with Place-Based pedagogy and may even spark spiritual connections between students and their natural environments. Some choose to argue that increasing the use of technology in classrooms inhibits interaction with the outside world, but the use of photography in an outdoor setting proves quite the opposite to be true.
-Katie, Alexa and Lauren
- Biggest tip for teaching young learners is to teach them how to hold a camera; kids get easily excited which can lead to blurry photographs
- Teach students to hold the camera against their face and brace their arms to their body: this helps stabilize the camera
- Other biggest tip: have fun
- Use photography to bridge the gap between your students and the concepts you wish to teach them
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Image: stem.T4L/ UnSplash[/caption]
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February 10, 2020