Chapter 7: Flickr

1. How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?

            This reading expanded my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning. Prior to this reading I did not know what Flickr was. After reading this chapter, I was persuaded to make my own account of Flickr. However, I choose not to because it is more “work” that I have to do for another account and besides I probably would fail to remember my password. What I found interesting upon reading about Flickr is how educational publishing and using images online can be. Technology can be something educators drive away from using, due to the online connection it may require. For instance, online blogging, Twitter, Facebook, etc. because those online social networking areas require limited privacy. However Flickr can be altered to meet the needs of privacy or making it “public”.  Having a classroom of students to interact with Flickr will be beneficial because the students can have privacy within that classroom. Typically, publishing pictures online makes parents and teacher weary, but with Flickr only a selection of people can view the photos. I think that is great because it keeps the student’s identity safe.

            Not only did I expand my thinking about technology by reading about Flickr, but I also deepened my understanding by knowing what one can do with Flickr besides just uploading images. The ideas that were presented in the book such as magazine covers, movie posters, photo field trips, “Make it mine”, etc were very interesting to me. I think using Flickr for a variety of different reason helps make the classroom diverse with its technology.

2. What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

            As a future teacher, I will integrate Flickr within my classroom. Of all the chapters I have read, I really enjoyed learning about Flickr. A lot of the other technology that I read about made me think it was inappropriate for the grade level I wish to teach. However, I think Flickr will engage my students in understanding certain tools within the web. I would create one profile in which all the students will be able to access. At first I would introduce Flickr and show my students what it is and have them get used to it. After that I would introduce them in a “project”. I think a movie poster would be awesome at the second grade level. I would have them make a movie poster of themselves or their family. I think having a project that involves creativity will get them use to the tools they can use on Flickr. I would consider holding off on using Flickr as a place to blog, if you will, only because I believe the students will enjoy making their own movie poster. When using Flickr I would slowly introduce how to comment on other student’s pictures, but it would not be until the students are familiar with Flickr.