second technology class

“Pictures serve as a catalyst in children learning process"


18 July 2007, was the second class of technology subject. We were divided into a few groups. Each group was given a topic to present. My group was selected to present aboutcam compact digital camera. We came into a consensus to narrow down the scope to the usage of this gadget in the classroom activities.
There are a few usages of digital camera in the classroom. The most important point that we brought up was the digital cameras cater for multi dimensional learning. It is acknowledged that we have various types of learners in a classroom such as auditory learner, kinesthetic learner and visual learner. They need different appropriate techniques in learning process in order for them to learn better.
Digital camera is very significant for visual learners as they need visual support to grasp a concept. With digital camera, teachers can take pictures and use them in their teaching and learning activities. They will be more interested and engaged in the learning process since the pictures are used to scaffold their ability in understanding certain concepts. In addition, the authenticity of the materials also assists the students’ learning process since the pictures are all taken from real life situations.
Furthermore, students’ writing skill also can be developed by using the pictures taken with digital camera. It helps the students to write better since they can generate more ideas by looking at the pictures. Besides, their writing also is not limited to a particular idea only when writing any topics. The assistance of the visual support also helps the students to be more creative in their writing.
Well, the use of digital camera does help the teachers a lot. But, there are still a lot of questions have been puzzling my mind. I am wandering whether the teachers out there are willing to spend their own budget to buy the digital camera if they are asked to use it in the classroom. Or, are the schools and administrations agreed to spend some budget to buy the digital camera for each teacher for classroom activities?
Yes, the teachers may probable have no problem in buying their own digital camera for the teaching activities. But, how far is the exploration of the pictures taken with the digital camera being explored in the classroom? Is it just to fulfill the trend or the teacher is just trying to vary his or her creativity in selecting teaching materials?
All the questions can be answered by the teachers themselves. It is their onus to think and reflect the advantage of using the gadget in the teaching and learning activities. The school administration may prepare a schedule in letting the entire teacher in that particular school to have the chance to use the camera if there is one camera only. Till the next episode…