Journal+5

What are some effective methods of using digital imagery and video in your classroom?

As an English teacher, the most exciting aspect of using digital imagery and video in the classroom is that of getting students involved who would otherwise be bored and difficult to engage. As a former high school English student, I well remember classmates who were antipathetic toward this content area. So many students say they hate reading or hate grammar, but maybe they really just don't like working with reading or grammar in traditional ways, which are admittedly rather tedious and boring. Giving them the opportunity to work with literature (and even grammar, I suppose) using digital imaging products like Photoshop or video provides them with a means of content interaction that engages them at a level they would typically never experience. Digital imagery and video could be used to create educational tools for instruction. They can also be the means by which students have the option of completing assignments. These cutting edge classroom tools are exciting for kids to use. They get excited about making a video or designing graphic illustrations, so much so that they learn without intending to simply because they get caught up in projects.

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