I'm integrating more technology for learning purposes in class. Students use technologies such as phones, cameras, computer programs like GoogleEarth regularly without realizing that they can be great educational tools if used correctly. I want to give my students valuable skills using technology.
Our school is a charter school, so we are able to create fun and changeling classes for our students such as Zoology and others.
Our students are a little more well behaved because they choose to come to this school but still suffer from ants in their pants like any 7th grader. I have 7th graders for my integrated science class and 6th and 7th graders for my Zoology class. As a charter school, we are a member of the International Baccalaureate program which means, among other things, that we really stress inquiry learning which is really conducive to science where we can be really hands on.
My Project
The cameras with SD cards and a classroom shared tripod will serve a two fold purpose. I am creating a project where students will take pictures of x amount of organisms throughout the year. Their goal is to try and capture the most aesthetically pleasing pictures that they can. The best pictures will be printed and presented in an art show in the school. They will then do a project where they classify each of their organisms with their scientific names. The cameras will be available to be checked out from the school by the students, especially for the ones who cannot afford their own cameras.
The students are also created a portfolio of their work in class in a PowerPoint. The will create specific slide demonstrating what they have learned about certain concepts. The cameras will allow them to upload pictures of themselves participating in labs, activities, etc. Then during Student-Led conferences, the students will be able to show their parents exactly what they have been learning in class.
My goal with these projects is to inspire students to find the joy in education.
Students who may not enjoy science can still find joy in it if they enjoy photography. My hope is that this project sparks an interest in science, photography, etc, that may lead to a new hobby or passion. I also wish to show students the wide variety of professions available to them such as photographing nature or even filming nature videos.
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