Digital+Camera

 February 3, 2009

On February 3, 2009, the Parkdale STEP Team received their new CANON Powershot A550 cameras, including hardware, software and training. The training focused on teaching the following technical skills to participants in order to effectively use digital images in instructional activities.  media type="file" key="AP BIOLOGY COMMERCIAL_1.wmv"
 * Use the digital camera to take photos
 * Import and open photos captured by digital cameras
 * Improve photo compositon and quality by cropping and rotating photos, adjusting brightness and contrast by reducing red eye.
 * Complete a set of activities designed to introduce and practice the features of PhotoStory 3
 * Create photo slideshows and converted movie files

//**Technology Standards Addressed:**// II. Communication A. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically. 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents,colleagues, administrators or experts in the field. B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats. 1. Select appropriate technologies for a particular communication goal. 2. Use productivity tools to publish information. 3. Use Multiple digital sources to communicate information on-line.

V. Integrating Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction Design, implement and assess learning experiences that incorporate use of technology in the curriculum-related instructional activity to support understanding, inquiry, problem-solving, communication or collaboration. 1. Assess students' learning/ instructional needs to identify the appropriate technology for instruction. 2. Evaluate technology materials and media to determine their most appropriate instructional use. 3. Select and apply research-based practices for integrating technology into instruction. 4. Use appropriate instructional strategies for integrating technology into instruction. 5. Select and use appropriate technology to support content-specific student learning outcomes. 6. Develop an appropriate assessment for measuring student outcomes through the use of technology. 7. Manage a technology-enhanced environment to maximize student learning.

VII. Professional Growth Develop professional practices that support continual learning and professional growth in technology. 1. Create a professional development plan that includes resources to support the use of technology in life long learning. 2. Use resources of professional organizations and groups that support the integration of technology into instruction. 3. Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practices and emerging technologies to support student learning. 4. Identify local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and learning.

Description: For the past five years, I have had the opportunity of teaching our Advanced Placement Biology classes. As any AP teacher would agree, AP classes are quite demanding for both student and teacher, as it requires many hours of study for the student and preparation for the teacher. Before I begin every school year, I hold a meeting for all prospective AP students to give them a copy of their summer assignment and to give them a brief idea of what we actually do during the course of the year. I became quite tired of giving the same old speech every year, so when the opportunity to develop a Photostory presented itself, I came up with the idea of developing a commercial providing highlights of the school year, examples of student work and sample activities we completed as a class.

To complete the project, I surveyed my students by asking them such questions like: "What are the benefits of taking an AP class?", "What were some of the adjustments you had to make while taking an AP course?", "What were some of your favorite activities?" and "What advice would you give to upcoming AP biology students?" to list a few. Students used the digital camera to take pictures during their activities, field studies, assignments, dissections, etc. I hope you enjoy this student-created project.

Reflection: Using the digital camera and Photostory 3, I created a commercial to heighten awareness and interest in taking AP classes, in particular AP Biology. Images from the commercial are all student-created. The images were taken from a variety of class experiences from dissections to field trips and other class activities. This project was quite exciting and engaging for both the students as well as myself. Around May of every year, I have the opportunity of meeting with our rising seniors who have a desire to take on the AP Biology class. During our meeting, I introduce them to some of the highlights of the course, including requirements, projects.