HEA STEM New To Teaching Workshop

Photomarathons: Using New Technologies to Support Student

Learning and Assessment

What is a Photomarathon?

• Photomarathons have been around for 25 years, with regular events in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France and Russia

• The Copenhagen Photomarathon is the longest running event, having started in 1989

• The first UK Photomarathon was held in Cardiff in the summer of 2004 when 120 people took up the challenge. Last year, on June 2010, the sixth UK Photomarathon saw over >500 entrants taking part.

• Digital photography makes competition accessible as most people now take photographs using cameras, phones, tablets and PVDs

What is a Photomarathon?

• Typically a photograph competition with a twist, challenging one’s sense of improvisation, fun and creativity

• Need not be about the “best” photograph or most artistic result, rather how the brief has been met

• A key technique in engaging learners in complex environments to promote learning

What is a Photomarathon?

• Awards now often involve mixed groups of students (by subject, age and experience) conducting a task that is at the periphery of the subject for several group members

• This may lead to disengagement, and even resentment, that an individual should have to work in an area perceived as “not relevant” to their course

• Overcoming this barrier, photomarathons offer an unusual approach to engagement.

What is a Photomarathon?• Participants given key topics

related to an aspect of curriculum, required to submit an image per topic either on a time limited basis

• Submissions may be from individuals or groups

• Topics offer plenty of room for interpretation, and more important than the technical perfection of the pictures is the creativity and imagination used

• Workshop participants review others’ submissions, and through presentation, defence and discussion a winner may be declared

What is a Photomarathon?

• Participation in this workshop will demonstrate how straightforward a Photomarathon is to organise and run• At least I hope so!

• Have the opportunity to see how students may engage in topics not directly related to their degree, and the effectiveness with which learning may be promoted even indirectly

• Supports aspects of technology’s role in learning, student-led and peer-review exercises, and the authoritative hierarchy of the learning environment

Photomarathon: Timetable

Wednesday - 1700-1730 Activity

15 minutes Photomarathon Introduction

15 minutes Logistics!

This evening PHOTOMARATHON

Thursday - 0930 - 0945 Activity

5 minutes Introduction to plenary

10 minutes Photo-marathon presentations, feedback and interdisciplinary discussion

Running a Photomarathon

Workshop Aims:• Participate in small

Photomarathon• Establish how such

exercises run• Realise the

potential value of such an approach to fieldwork

Photomarathon Rules

• Participate with a digital camera, tablet, mobile or PVD

• Capture an image!• Feel free to use flashguns, filters and

tripods, and any in-built effects• NO image may be computer edited or

image-processed

Photomarathons: Devil:Detail

Now It’s Your Turn!

As groups/individuals:• The evening to photograph:

– Energy– Olympics– Sustainability

• Email: s.jones@wales.ac.uk– In subject line: Keyword and Name

Photomarathons – News!

Reflections on Photo Marathons

• Enhances student engagement• Rapid way of assessing new environment• Challenges traditional perceptions of

subject• Breeds healthy competition!• Inclusive exercise• Vehicle for further analysis• Low intensity – high impact

References• Smith, D., and Jones, S. D. R., 2012 Blended Learning For Multi-

Disciplinary Geography-Based Field Work, 1st Annual Conference on the Aiming for Excellence in STEM Learning and Teaching, 12 – 13 April 2012, Imperial College, London & The Royal Geographical Society

• Smith, D., and Jones, S. D. R., 2012 Student learning though the experience of being a tourist: a case study of blended learning at Cardiff Bay, Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress, 4-8 June 2012, Breda, Netherlands

• Collins et al., ????, School trip photomarathons: engaging primary school visitors using a topic focused photo competition, http://repository.alt.ac.uk/2179/7/RLT_A_007797_O.html

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-18249005

Dr Simon Jones CGEOG FHEA FRGSAssociate Dean – Student Experience

Faculty of Business and Law,