I have to admit that as I jumped into this chapter, I was very skeptical about how I could possibly ever use Flickr in the classroom. I'm somewhat familiar with the site, but it's not a favorite of mine. However, I was amazed at some of the uses for the site in the classroom... the margins of my book are covered in questions, ideas, and comments (most ending with exclamation points!). I am still trying to come up with a lesson or activity for my classroom, but I am most definitely intrigued!
I did have a great idea for a colleague. My department head, Walter Mitchell, is famous with both teachers and students alike for his annual pilgrimage to Walden Pond. The assignment for the students is to reflect on life while at Walden, taking pictures of their experience their, and then writing the reflection, using pieces of Whitman's writing (and other fitting poetry/prose) to supplement the experience. I could see a great use of the annotation feature of Flickr for this assignment. The pictures could be put together in a slideshow and whatever it was in the pictures that played a part in the student's reflection or inspiration could be annotated with the experience or the literature. The assignment could then be uploaded to a blog, wiki, or other format. It could also be shared in the class with an interactive whiteboard or LCD projector.
Great idea for Walter's Waldon pond trip, Shannon...I haven't read this chapter yet but now am looking forward to it. Some many tools so little time! I feel, however, like a fish out of water in this blogosphere...but I am excited with the new possiblities using all of these tools (well, at least some of them!) in the classroom with students..I am reminding myself to start slow and try one or two new tools and to just play around with it and have fun...not get so overwhelmed with all this new information coming our way. Cindy
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon, I published a comment and then did something and lost the whole thing...so here goes again....great idea for Walter's Waldon pond trip...I haven't read this chapter yet but am looking forward to it due to your excitement! So many tools, so little time! I am excited that these tools will make for more exciting teaching and learning experiences for our students..knowing they will be excited using tools they are already using will make learning more exciting and possibly less apathetic students! Cindy
ReplyDeleteHi S,
ReplyDeleteI tried to comment before, but that time without success. This means that I am getting better at this class--at least I know how to comment!! Sincerely though, I do think your idea for Walter’s class is great- and then I combined your idea with Cindy's comment -- not exactly the way you meant it Cindy-- but then it occurred to me that Walter's students are never apathetic about Walden. I know this may sound like I am taking two disparate ideas and shoving them together, and I don't mean it, but I too am trying to make of what should be changed into Web 2.o and when to best effect... by THIS TIME in the course I am pretty darn excited about everything I've learned so far and everything I've yet to learn (Unlike Richardson-- who claims he understands all the interactions of his class and technology -- or something like that “fully!' Anyway, I wanted to comment on your blog for some time now. I guess, when I tired at the beginning I wasn’t a member... now that seems odd--maybe, oh yes, I was on your other blog-- the one that keeps track of everything we did in class! Aha. Thanks much... AKA