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Using digital photographs in the languages classroom
Organisational issues
Getting started
Digital cameras vary in quality and price. For use in the teaching and learning of languages a standard budget camera will have all necessary features. Generally, cameras at this price and quality level are of the “point and shoot” variety, meaning that they make automatic adjustments in relation to the light available. They may have a range of settings for landscape, portraits, night photography etc but often the Auto setting will suffice. Some digital cameras also offer limited video facilities, which add another dimension to their use.
It may be possible to borrow digital cameras from another department. Seek advice from the IT co-ordinator before making a purchase and ensure that any camera purchased for use in MFL is fit for purpose.
Mobile phones can often take digital photos and these can be transferred to a computer in different ways, sometimes with a USB cable or possibly using Bluetooth technology. Not all schools will allow students to use mobile phones so it may not be an option to use them in this way. However, students themselves may be able to transfer mobile phone photos to their own computer and then bring them to school or college on a CD or flash memory stick.
File formats
The most common digital image file is jpg. If a photo is transferred to photo editing software and saved there will always be an option to save to this format.
Free digital photos
There are a number of sites that offer photos to use which are both cost and copyright free. See Becta How to search for images safely on the web.
Editing
Schools and colleges may well possess photo editing software and students could be familiar with basic editing processes, such as removing red eye, cropping and using auto controls to adjust brightness.
Cropping and brightness adjustment are really useful tools and can be accomplished, along with other effects, with free editing software such as Picasa, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Within PowerPoint and Word a basic Picture toolbar allows users to make simple adjustments. See image below.
Storage
Remember that photo files can occupy a lot of storage space. If photos are to be used only for insertion into electronic documents they can be saved in a low resolution format. This can be done when saving a photo in photo editing software.
If using digital photos in Word or PowerPoint the user has the facility of compressing photos from the Picture toolbar (see image above).
Another approach is to set a digital camera so that it takes photos at a low resolution. Consult the camera manual or a technician for help.
Copyright
Copyright law is complex and care must be taken that it is not infringed. Students are often tempted to simply take photos found on the Internet. There is no automatic right to do this and many photos are clearly the property of companies or individuals. It is always best to check if a photo can be used. This is especially the case if students’ work containing digital photos will be published or showcased on the school web site, a CD or DVD.
