How to Use Photo Sharing Websites as an Education Tool

Speaking of Technology. With the whole web abuzz, there are tools such a flickr, slideshow and picasas, that allow users to share pictures with family and friends.

As an instructional designer I have an account setup specifically to show case my work in a portfolio format. As instructors gain more insight in technology, social networking and how the i-generation; I like to call them use the Internet for fun we are learning how to use I in an educational setting as well.

Such photo sharing tools can be used to showcase student's talent. After projects are completed a snapshot of the finished product can be uploaded and saved as apart of a complete portfolio. Remember when your student or child first began to write, and than progressed to cursive, and now has better penmanship than you. Using photo sharing can be an excellent way to document learning, use it as a way to assess progress and more. It's fun, its interactive, and more importantly its on the Internet.

There are view photo sharing sites that host video as well such as flickr and youtube even. If students want to catch the work in live action, simply use the video footage verses a still image.

These items can be linked to, emailed to family and friends, or even embedded into other websites themselves. Students that are interested in journalism can also use a mobile phone to capture news and events on the go. They can automatically be sent to flickr, youtube, or even utterz, immediately for all to see on the web.

That is the difference with the i-generation today. They se that they have a say so, they matter and make a difference in the internet worlds, what we need to do as educators is make the possitive things about the internet world a reality on our world.

Yes the Internet has its vices, but its benefits can out way them depending on the nature in which they are used.

Such online social networking tools like flickr, youtube, picasas, and more can be used in a postive, fun, interactive and educational manner. It allows students to showcase their talents, spread news and awareness, interact with others in a positive, educational manner, and have ownership over their educational journey.

To often are we taking the lead, pushing students in the direction in which we think they should move, instead of following them along their personal journey and consulting, assisting, and guiding them along their self discovered path that motivates and encourages a love for learning, and thus becomes a life long pursuit well after the test is over.