Not all students learn and respond to learning situations in the same way.  A student often seeks to fit new material into the context of what is already known.  Often, students vary not only in previous content knowledge but also in the way they new process information.   All students have different interests, backgrounds, and learning styles.  Effective classroom teachers employ a variety of methods to match the students’ interests and learning styles.  It is important to remember, when students do not learn the way we teach, we must teach the way they learn (Dunn, Educating Diverse Learners, p. 30).

 

In the 30 Days to Get Activ blog series, I have included lots of screen shots and numerous videos supported by written instructions.  I have attempted to engage the reader visually, audibly, and kinesthetically -if the reader tried some of the tutorials.   I could have just written directions or used a voice recorder to provide spoken directions like on might do when using the lecture method to deliver instruction.  However, I thought it would be more helpful to include a mixture of methods to help the reader put the unfamiliar information in context and hopefully, aid in understanding.

 

Using Digital Images in the classroom assists students in much the same way.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, then digital images can easily enhance understanding and provide illustrations for abstract concepts.  Digital images help readers envision text, provide a bridge for writing, and help put concepts in context.

While many digital images are available for download, you may find yourself wanting to show only a portion of an image, an image from a previous flipchart (ex. chart, drawing, graph), an image from a pdf file from a publisher’s resource disc or a sample of student work on the ActivBoard.  The Camera Tool can be used to capture any of these images. Use this tool to capture an image from the Desktop, Flipchart, or paused video frames or animations. Photograph the complete display screen or a specific area and send images to your resource library or the flipchart page.

Day 14:  Using the Camera Tool

Step 1:  Select Camera Tool

Step 2:  Choose Camera Type: Area, Point to Point, Freehand, Window, or Fullscreen

I typically choose area, though freehand allows for the capture an irregular shape using freehand lines.

 

Step 3:  If Area is selected, reposition the blue rectangular box to include all to be photographed.

 

Step 4:  Use the Camera Toolbar to choose where you would like to send the photograph.

o       To the Current Flipchart Page

o       To a New Flipchart Page

o       To My Resource Library

o       To Shared Resource Library

o       To the Clipboard

See Scott Caulfield’s ActivTip for ActivInspire entitled Capturing Questions for more ideas for creating quick assessments.