Flickr

Flickr Funtastic and Image Manipulation.

I must admit my 'digital immigrant' persona is now being exposed. Prensky (2001) states that "the digital immigrant can be seen in such things as turning to the internet second rather than first, or in reading the manual for a program rather than assuming that the program itself will teach us to use it". I am sure he voiced this statement directed at me. Up until recently i have still gone to Big W, or Harvey Norman, and spent endless moments on the photo processing machines in attempt to edit my photography.

Thanks to Managing E-Learning,i now have the useful knowledge of a program called Flickr. Flickr is a valuable tool that i plan to explore with a lot more detail. I admit, the blurb that 'Flickr is the best online photo management and sharing application in the world' is quite a hard task to live up to, yet i am prepared to delve into it in more detail to find out. I continue to hear 'photoshop this and photoshop that' so it will be an interesting journey to compare the differences.

Flickr allows users to share their photos, without detailed consideration towards copyright considerations, as it is covered under the creative commons license. Flickr also allows users to upload their photography to a communal 'photo bank' at no charge. From here the author has the opportunity to edit, organise, shape, map, make interesting objects and keep in touch with friends and family, at the touch of a button. These opportunities arise through a program called 'Picnik'.

I found the process of establishing yet another free account, quite simple. Follow the prompts and before you know it, you have the ability to adjust and manipulate any photo you desire. Online image repository systems and editing tools such as 'Flickr' and 'Picnik' provide students with the possibility to create images that are directly related to their topic.

To provide you with an example, my son, in year 6, recently completed a unit of work titled 'life on Antarctica'. Students were asked to design a visual story of the life of an antarctic penguin. These programs would have allowed students to take photos of their penguins journey (cute little creatures made from egg cartons) and edit/manipulate them into a suitable story. From here opportunities of reports, lost posters, blogs and other media presentations would have followed.

The photo that i have edited (above) is one that i recently took on a holiday in New Zealand. This would also be an ideal picture for an Antarctic unit. Take a look at the sites and have a play, as i believe we could create some fantastic classroom resources from here.

Take care,

Kerri.

References:

Prensky, M., (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from

http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf