Through my recent interactions with children I have seen an increase in the amount of children who have access to cameras/video cameras. Toy companies such a Fisher Price and Leap Frog have been developing cameras that can withstand a child’s handling. This provides children with the opportunity to learn how to work such devices at a young age and allow them to express themselves through yet another outlet. This can be yet another way to engage and motive children who seem to be uninterested by more common and regularly used means of expression.
Through the use of cameras, children can explore various things through yet another point of view. They can then communicate and share these ideas with others, making connections between the real life objects and the pictures. They can explore the differences that they observe and making meaningful connections between the two. It is yet another way for children to record and represent their thoughts, in a way that can be presented to others. Children can then combine this with computer programs and learn how to manipulate and photo shop the pictures to even further their learning.
The use of video/film can also allow children to express themselves in various ways. They can play many roles when it comes to videotaping (cameraman, director, actor, editor) and this allows them to practice various skills and abilities. Children can also review themselves on film and be their own critics; learning how they can identify their own weakness and what can be done to strengthen them. This tool can be combined with common classroom subjects such as language and art, thus creating a more interactive lesson or activity.
I have used cameras within my teaching practice and have found that it significantly raises the interest level of many of the students. Children are used to technology in the classroom simply coming in the form of a computer, so it was quite exciting for them to be able to use a camera. I was able to combine this technology with the health curriculum and I had the children create 30second health commercials. In the end, I had integrated technology, art, drama, and language into one whole unit. This allowed me to include all the expectations needed, while at the same time allowing the children to express themselves through a new creative outlet. Once their commercials were recorded, we took time to review them and examine them critically. Through this process, I was able to give the children a more detailed evaluation, where they too could see where their weaknesses were. It has been my experience, that these technological tools spark great interest within many of the students and allow them to express themselves in a creative new way.
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