Special Assignment

Implications and Teaching Opportunities for 

Camera Use in Teaching and Learning?

Part A

    According to marketer there are 1.75 billion smartphone users worldwide. I have seen many young children with their own smartphones. Children as young as 8-10 years old.  Deseret News says that schools are beginning to capitalize on technology like smart phones because students love to use them so much. When it comes to technology like computers, tablets, etc., a smartphone is something more families could afford. 

    Smartphones have apps that can help students study as well as search the internet in researching information class projects, reports, etc. I think that some teachers may be worried that smartphones could be distracting to students but the positive effects could likely outweigh the negative. A smartphone that is connected to the internet has huge amounts of data available for student learning. 

Part B

    There are many ways a teacher can make use of students having smartphones with cameras for learning purposes. For instance, 1st graders should be able to identify the different developmental stages of plants and animals. I would have the students go out and take pictures of local plant life and its different developmental stages. They should also be able to name differences in the day and night sky with the unaided eye. I could have them take pictures of the different types of cloud formations as we are learning them in class. Cameras on smartphones would be a great tool at having students document things that go along with what they are learning in class.