Today’s students have been exposed to digital and video images all of their lives. This has resulted in a need for visual literacy skills that rivals the need for traditional literacy. Using digital cameras in the classroom perfectly addresses the need for visual literacy activities. Digital pictures are immediate, versatile, colorful, interactive and successfully engage the attention of today’s students. Nothing could be more relevant to a child’s life than a picture he or she has taken, or a picture of a place they have been. Using digital cameras will stimulate and motivate both students and teachers.

Activities and projects completed with digital images compliment all curriculum areas. The subjects that this technology can be used with are limited only by the imagination. The use of digital cameras and images in the classroom compliments most learning styles, especially visual and kinesthetic. Aside from the immediate benefits, the products of these lessons are wonderful tools for reinforcement and review.

The use of digital cameras and images also addresses the point that technology is merely a tool we use to educate our children. We should bend technology to meet our needs instead of letting it drive our activities. Our main goal as teachers is to help students learn the curriculum. Digital photography activities aren’t about taking pictures, but using the camera as a tool to help you explore and understand other subjects. This means that activities and projects don’t have to be fancy, long, expensive, or even pretty. They only have to capture the attention and enthusiasm of our children.

The activities presented here can be completed with as little as one camera, computer and printer set-up or with a lab full of equipment. While it is helpful to have software programs like Microsoft PowerPoint or Adobe Photoshop they are in no way prerequisites. The basic word processor and picture viewer that come pre-loaded on most computers can be used to replicate these projects (ex. Microsoft Photo Editor & Media Player) . Most digital cameras come with some type of photo editing software included for free.

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