Children using a digital camera Documents Authors Norma Narey, Park Place Nursery School, Dundee Theresa Mungall, ICT Visiting Specialist, Dundee Objectives Learning Areas ICT in the Early Years Curriculum: - Knowledge and Understanding of the World Levels Pre-school Project Overview Permission form - Images of children on the internet Ideas for using digital camers in the early years. Photostory download Children learn how to: use the new Digital Blue Snap! Education Camera to perform basic operations such as switching on and off. look through the viewfinder or frame their subject with the LCD screen. take photographs. print out pictures through the computer and with the photo printer. Digital Blue Snap! Education Camera Computer and printer Photo printer Photostory 3 ICT Resources

Children using a digital camera Description of Project Activities with the digital camera were carried out as part of the centre of interest Growing planned by the BEd student teacher. Learning Intentions and Success Criteria were discussed with the children in line with the local authority initiative Learning Together in Dundee. The children worked in groups of six with the cameras. At various stages as part of the project they took photographs for a variety of purposes, evaluated the quality of the pictures and their purpose, and printed a selection of them. The photos were made into collages and added to with their own drawings and comments scribed by adults. As part of the project the children drew and painted seeds and flowers, made paper flowers, made and tasted cress sandwiches etc. In the early attempts many of the photos were out of focus, comprising of feet only or headless bodies but they were used for discussion and games such ‘Guess who this is?’ The photos were also used to enhance the display area and make a variety of matching activities. LTiD Overview LTiD Aims LTiD Overview

Children using a digital camera Planning and management Documents Extract from 6 week plan The topic Growing involved (through working with staff and children): planning during staff meetings. outlining learning intentions and success criteria. preparation of resources. setting up of display area. shopping to buy seeds. planting seeds and plants. making and maintaining a mini ‘garden centre’/outdoor patio area. taking part in a variety of associated activities.

Children using a digital camera Learning Intentions The Big Picture growing The steps of growing seeds to plants. The basic needs for plants to grow. How to use the digital camera. Taking digital photographs to record stages of growth.

Children using a digital camera Success Criteria The Big Picture growing Children able to put sequence cards in order. Children recognise seeds. Children identify change in a seed. Photographs used for display, and activities e.g. matching and sequencing.

Children using a digital camera Look at the pictures we took

Children using a digital camera Look at the pictures we took

Children using a digital camera We made books with our pictures

Children using a digital camera We also made some games Who am I? Guess what? Put in the right order

Children using a digital camera The next steps Children take digital cameras home as part of a settling in project at the start of the new school year. The project, All About Me, will feature digital images taken by the children. It will include photographs of their friends, their family, rooms in their house, their favourite toys etc. This will be especially beneficial for children and parents from different ethnic backgrounds who are learning English. Talking about the photographs will help develop language skills. The children and parents/carers will learn how to use the cameras which will then go home on a rota basis. The photos will be printed out and used to make wall displays and complete individual books. Nursery staff will also scribe captions for the children to provide further practice with language development as well as help the children settle into their new environment.