Using Images in the Classroom
It is important that as a future teacher I understand how to legally use images, and then require my students to use images legally.
Joey and April Working on Keyboarding Skills
by Extra Ketchup (Flickr)
For example, this image was found using a creative commons search on Flickr. Creative Commons is a way to reserve some rights of the things we create without keeping others from using them all together. This is an easy way to find images that it is okay for anyone to use, as long as they follow whatever requirements are set by the creative commons license.
This week in the classroom, I needed to explain to the class what the big dipper is. It came up in a story we were reading and students did not know what it was. I immediately did a google image search (and used the smartboard in the classroom so the students could connect the dots and make the shape of the dipper). After, I thought back to the discussions I had in CEP416 about using images. I did not republish the picture anywhere, or even use it in a powerpoint, so legally I was fine just showing the students this website. But, I modeled using google images to find an image without thinking about what the students would pick up.
Sometimes it is great to be able to take and use your own pictures. Other times, there is a place or phenomenon that we want our students to see that it is impossible to take pictures of ourselves. There are thousands of images available that can give our students the experiences we desire. We can put them on a
Download, etc. etc.
Map Mashing: Use #1 – Take your students around the world!
A technology that I am excited to use in my future classrooms is map mashing.One possible way to use the technology (such as Google Maps) is to create a virtual field trip. When you cannot physically visit a place, going there virtually can be an exciting alternative if it is done right.
This could work in a lot of ways from posting pictures, text, and audio that you create, or using virtual tours created by museums or other institutions but using the map mashing to organize it. View a sample tour of Washington D.C. and the three branches of government that I created. Later, I will be creating my own tours and elaborating on this post.
