Test Drive: Digital Camera Project Kit

Digital Camera Project Kit
Activity software and equipment

Tech4Learning, Inc. 6160 Fairmount Ave, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 887-834-5453 www.tech4learning.com. Windows and Macintosh. $69.95

Can digital cameras increase student learning? The Digital Camera Project Kit by Tech4Learning shows teachers how to integrate digital photography and photo editing into the classroom curriculum.

The kit comes with an easy-to-install photo-editing program called ImageBlender, a highly readable activity book, and a special package of printer papers. The digital camera isn't included. Students and teachers use ImageBlender to crop and resize their pictures, and they can add details by using the pencil, brush, line, or shape tools. Special effects, such as edge trimming or solarization (making a picture look "overexposed"), turn an ordinary photo into an eye-catcher. In addition to customizing their own photos, students have access to many copyright-friendly images at the Tech4Learning Web site.

Teaching with Digital Cameras by Ruth Grillo, a part of the package, is an excellent, spiral-bound text filled with lessons designed for elementary and middle school teachers. Each lesson is keyed to a grade level and tied to national standards. I'm not a great fan of generic lesson-plan books, but Grillo does a nice job, choosing projects that are practical yet creative. Moreover, the activities demonstrate a variety of ways in which digital images may be used to foster creativity and enhance learning.

Digital photography offers a lot more that just point, shoot, download, and print options. The kit includes 10 different printer papers so students can incorporate digital images into curriculum projects. For example, in addition to plain paper printing, magnetic paper can turn projects into a home refrigerator gallery; puzzle templates create interesting projects; and transparent decal papers dress up classroom windows.

Library media centers in elementary and middle schools should strongly consider purchasing this kit. Media specialists who substitute as teachers can also use the kit. At $69.95, the Digital Camera Project Kit would be a useful addition to your professional library.