“Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world,” Bruno Barbey rightly said.
Indeed, photographs narrate enchanting stories by encapsulating precious moments and protecting them from the otherwise unstoppable annals of time. They are also extremely effective means of imparting education and can be used to engage students in the most innovative ways possible. Today, with the unprecedented technological advancement in the modern world, there are several creative techniques to incorporate photographs as a part of a child’s education programme. Here are five such unique ideas to use a digital camera in classrooms:
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The Digital Decoration: Photographs on Classroom Walls
Encouraging students to decorate their classrooms independently is one of the most effective methods to promote self-reliance. With advanced photo-editing applications now being available at one’s fingertips, students may be asked to edit their pictures to add texts, images, clip art, etc. of their choice and decorate the classroom with such photographs.
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As an Occasional Alternative to Crayons and Paintbrushes
Yes, it is a good idea for parents and teachers to encourage children to keep away their gadgets and spend time painting or drawing. Children have varied interests, and there is no escaping the fact that it is a digital world we live in. Consequently, children would benefit by carrying out constructive activities like taking pictures of specific objects to convey a story. Such tasks would help them utilize technology constructively while cutting down on video games and other non-stimulating activities.
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Creating Slideshows on Specific Syllabus Topics
For most of us, school assignments are synonymous with scrapbooks and sketch-pens, chart-papers and cut-outs. However, coming up with other relevant assignment ideas can ensure that students are more engaged in the activity and do not find it repetitive. And asking them to prepare slideshows to present information is one such strategy. Students may be asked to explore their environments independently, take photographs of relevant phenomena (like plants or animals), and collate these in the form of a slideshow to be presented in class. Primary School and other prominent cities worldwide provide students with the best digital equipment to conduct such assignments.
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Down the Memory Lane: Capturing Major School Events
Students may also be asked to capture candid moments of significant school events like exhibitions, tournaments, competitions, farewells, etc. These photographs may then be incorporated in the international school magazine or displayed in the corridors as memoirs for the months and years to come.
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Photography Begins at Home: Taking Family Photographs
As a fun homework activity and to ensure that students spend quality time with their families, they may be asked to take pictures of their family members and maintain a repertoire of sorts. These pictures may include candid moments, portrait shots, snaps of festivities at home and so on. Incorporating such family moments into a child’s academics facilitates all-round development as well as personal enrichment.
Conclusion
It has been rightly said that a well-captured photograph speaks a thousand words. Introducing students to digital cameras and photography at an early age can help them become comfortable with using modern technology to produce creative and fruitful results!
