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Dr. Barbara K. McKenzieUniversity of West Georgia

Dr. Betül C. ÖzkanArizona State University South

Dr. Danilo M. BaylenUniversity of West Georgia

How are Photoblogs Integrated into the

Curriculum?

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Introduction

Photoblogs have existed for over a decade.

Popular across all ages and professions

Offers opportunities

• For self expression• For sharing photos with others

such as friends, family, and other professionals

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Needs

Digital camera

Internet

Editing software if possible

Interest in photography

Awareness of blogging providers http://www.Flicker.com

http://ww.Fotolog.com

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Use of

In a graduate photography course MEDT 7466 Digital & 35 mm

Photography offered Fall 2007

Flickr introduced – http://www.flickr.com • Digital photos were uploaded

to this site instead of using WebCT Vista

Photoblogging

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Flickr

Rationale

Introduction to a Web 2.0 tool. Flickr uploads quickly and it is free. Instructor can provide examples of student

assignments and model its use. Easy access. Can share photos with instructor, class

members, family, and/or friends. Free editing software at site. Can create titles and narratives to go with

photos.

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Flickr Uses

Students encouraged to use of Flickr for individual digital projects and send URL to instructor for grading purposes

Projects: 1-35mm/B & W, 7 digital prints

Introduction to Flickr

PPT with audio (impaticized), blogging web sites.

Asked to register with Flickr, take the tour, read the OL tutorial, and practice uploading photos.

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Photoblogging

Uses blog technology to publish pictures instead of words (Denleavy, 2006)

A web site that consists of two parts: Visual diary and photo gallery (Lee, 2005)

A blog that consists of photos (Hill, 2006)

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Uses of Photoblogs

Literature Review ~ Photoblogs are used in MANY ways

Individual journals & photo entries of lives

Rural children from India sharing their life style

Chinese children showcasing their exhibit

Individuals showcasing their creativity

From: www.kateluck.co.uk/photoblog

From: www.flickr.com/groups/hiziboy/

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Uses

Joining photoblogs in areas of interest to share photos and socialize

Travel – http://www.photobug.org

Cats – http://www.whatagoodcat.com

Sedona, Arizona -- http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Sedona-Photos.htm

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UsesVisual blogs are used to communicate with others Phone or PDA –

http://www.moblog.com

Video – http://www.vlog.com

Sketches – http://www.sketchlog.com

Portfolio of photos – http://www.photoblog.com

As a hobby or craft

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Uses

Teachers photo blog

To discuss issues and hot topics with colleagues

• Teacher’s First – http://www.teachersfirst.com

To share photography information with students for projects, etc.• Digital photography• Art Exhibitions

From: www.digital-photography-school.com

From: www.teachersfirst.com

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Uses

To share important topics with students

Faculty use blogs to motivate student writing

For professional development• http://www.photoblogs.org/

bookmarks/teacher/

To display artistic talent of students• http://www.photodude.com

From: http://www.photodude.com

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Advantages &

Advantages Feedback received Photos were shared A creative outlet Worldwide

connectivity Motivational Learn from others

OL work

Disadvantages Viewing photos on

Flickr may be addictive

Photographers may stress themselves posting photos frequently

Copyright infringements

(Study by Denleavy, 2006 with 12 participants)

Disadvantages

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Methodology

Participants (23 graduate students)

22 students, 1 faculty member (20F, 3M) Degree: 7 (M.Ed.), 15 (Ed.S.) Majors: 16 (Media), 4 (Middle Grades), 1 (Early

Childhood), 1 (Counseling & Educational Psychology), 1 (Secondary Education)

Photoblogging activity added to course for first time

To provide more experience with Web 2.0 experiences, more social interaction with students, and quicker uploading time for photos

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Methodology

To examine students’ experience with photo blogging 2 techniques were used

Students asked to visit Flickr, get a free account and respond to the question…What is the value of this web site to you and your students then post this to the BB in WebCT (2 pts extra credit)

Go to Flickr, take the OL tour, upload a digital photo and respond to 6 questions that are e-mailed to the instructor (3 pts extra credit)

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Methodology

Questions1. Have you used photo blogs before?

2. Have your students used photo blogs before?

3. How have you used photo blogs with your students?

4. How have your students used photo blogs?

5. What are the advantages of photo blogging to you and your students?

6. What are the limitations of photo blogs to you and your students?

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Analysis of the Data

• All responses copied and pasted into word documents for analysis by team

• Reports read and common themes extracted and quantified

• Part I – The Value of Flickr (N=13/56.5%)

• Results All reported Flickr was of value. Most frequently mentioned reasons ~

Sharing photos with friends, family and/or students (N=6)

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Value of

• Site was useful for a photography class (N=3)

• A place for student to upload photos (N=3)

• A place for student electronic portfolios (N=3)

• Photos could be uploaded easily (N=2)

• You can share and see photos of other photobloggers (N=2)

Flickr Web site

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Part II Analysis

Questions on school photoblogging (N=9 / 39.1%)

Results Most graduate students had not photo blogged

Most of the graduate students had not used photoblogs with their K-12 students

Those that did use photoblogs with students used them to• Share photographs with others (N=5)• Post projects and/or students work online (N=5)• Post student activities during the day (N=3)• Archive the school year with photos (N=2)• Start discussions (N=2) • Initiate a photography contest (N=2)

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Results

K-12 students who photoblogged used it to Communicate in Myspace.com (N=2) Communicate in Facebook.com (N=1) Share photos with a friend (N=1) Share school projects (N=1)

Advantages of photoblogs Creative ways for students to develop, design, and share

pictures with information (N=2) Develop students’ photography, writing, proofreading,

and publishing skills (N=2) Reduces the cost of photos (N=2)

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Results

Schools do not permit photoblogging (N=7)

Content viewed by students may not be closely monitored (N=5)

Some sites may cost money to use (N=4)

Student photos must be on protected web sites (N=4)

Disadvantages of photoblogs

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Conclusions

More than half of the students photoblogged when given the opportunity

Most graduate students had not photoblogged • Had a positive experience their first time

Most teachers use photoblogs to share photographs and to post student projects

K-12 students use photoblogs to communicate socially

Advantages -- photoblogs provide creative photo & writing opportunities for students, reduce photo costs

Limitations -- schools don’t support photoblogging

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Implications for

We must understand the use and integration of blogs/photoblogs and model their effective use Includes advanced planning and

caution to keep children safe

Blogging and photoblogging should be included in all pre-service and in-service classes Increase students’ awareness of Web

2.0 communication technologies so they interact with multiple audiences and the new technologies.

Teacher Educators

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How are Photoblogs Integrated into the

Curriculum

Dr. Barbara K. McKenzie ~ bmckenzi@westga.edu

Dr. Betül C. Özkan ~ bcozkan@email.arizona.edu

Dr. Danilo M. Baylen ~ dbaylen@westga.edu