Digital CamerasIn the Classroom

MLTI Summer Tech Institute, CastineJuly 23-25, 2008

To See is to Understand

• The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words may be true. However, an image will stick in the mind of a student more firmly than any 1000 words!

Embedding the image in a Lab ReportRemember that not all digital cameras in the classroom are ONLY cameras. Kids frequently have phones with them which work well for quick shots such as this.

Steps in a ProjectCell Size Lab

To “know” or to “see”

• Students think they are doing ok until they see themselves performing.

• Video reviews of performance based learning can be invaluable formative assessments.

Physical Education Performance

Videos would be here in presentation

Critique & Self Reflection

• When reviewed in slow motion or frame by frame, the action can be critiqued and improved.

• Video capture on still cameras are easy to use, inexpensive, and are more than adequate for this type of task.

Foreign Language

Video would be here in presentation

Portfolio Preference?

Which is a more accurate reflection of the students’ learning, a video in their digital portfolio, or a paper copy of their skit with a grade on it?How about the video with a written reflection on their performance and their learning?

Musical PerformancePiano 1 Recital

Video would be here in presentation.

Camera vs Video Camera

• Creates easily downloaded files

• No need to import into iMovie

• Easily played back in QuickTime

• Stop/Start creates individual files

• Very easy to use

• Limited audio capture - low sound levels.

• Download takes as much time as shooting (playback)

• Needs editing software to create files

• Edit to create individual files

• Additional controls

• Better quality audio, but still not great without external mic

Field Trips

Kids Engage With Content, and each other

Off-Site Events

More Science Lab Fun

Maggots Up Close

and Personal

To See More on Flickr search for apcalc06 Darren Kuropatwa’s AP Calc Class and Flickr

Student Process

Student Reflection

Art Portfolios

Shooting art portfolios can be fast and painless. A little attention to background, lighting and white balance, and you are good to go.

Critique via Voicethread

Drawing SupportWhen kids are paired up for drawing portraits, it helps to have a picture to work with if a student is absent. this way they don’t hold up their partner, and they can take the work home to catch up.

White Balance Matters

Shooting a Portrait

Stand Close with Wide Angle Lens

Stand Back and Zoom In

Strobe Photography

Shooting a moving object with a strobe light, using a slow shutter speed, gives this result. Students can then measure the acceleration and deceleration of the object. This was a 3.5 second exposure.

Compare Movement

Volleyball Ping-Pong Ball

Time Lapse

Camera Functions

• Portrait : shallow depth of field• Mountains : Landscape - max depth of

field and focuses through glass• Runner/Sports : Fastest shutter speed

for lighting conditions• Moon/Night : Flash with lag shutter for

extended exposure• Flower : Macro / close-up

Shooting Modes

White Balance

• AWB : Auto White Balance• Incandescent : Soft White Indoor• Fluorescent : school . . .• Daylight : sunlight, even indirect• Cloudy : even shade, overcast (cool)• Custom : set from white object in light

Time to Try it Out!

• Microscopes - Make tiny BIG!• White Balance - What color is that?• Artwork Alignment - Make it square!• Portrait - Pair up with a buddy! Zoom!• Stop Action - Bounce the tennis ball!• Macro - How close is close enough?

Download to Computer

• Hook the camera up to the computer with the usb cord or put card in card reader

• Make sure camera is ON, and set to review

• IF you only want to download SOME of the images, use IMAGE CAPTURE instead of iPhoto.

iPhoto

• Organize into EVENTS• Split events as necessary• Make an ALBUM• Edit the pictures : Crop, Exposure, Color, • Edit picture order in Album• Play slide show, or embed individual

images in documents, blogs, etc.

Online Photo Editing

• Picnik• Photoshop Express• Splashup• Pick one of the online editors to try

manipulating your photo if you don’t have iPhoto or want to try something with additional controls.

Out of Time!

• Thank you! • Please remember to fill out the online

survey at www.mainelearns.org