As an educator, I'm torn about how I would use it. Although I totally understand why we have a "Do Not Photograph" list, but in having one, it keeps me from taking many pictures at all. I'm afraid that if I take a picture of someone I shouldn't, I'll hear about it. And it's not quite as easy as "just check the list." Each trimester, I'll have about 120-140 students. And the students I have change each trimester. So it can get confusing trying to memorize who I can, and who I can't, take a picture of.
Now, if this list wasn't an issue for me, I could see a few instances where google photos could be useful. If we had a school-wide account, and all teachers could upload pictures to it, I could see parents checking it every so often. It could give a cool glimpse into what our classrooms actually look like with kids in it, and how they interact with the environment and each other. I also like that we are able to upload movies to Google Photos. I could upload a few short clips of kids doing different activities in class, showing how they collaborate and work together in live action. For my own classroom, it could be cool if I had kids who were unable to participate to create these clips themselves. They could film sections of class, edit the pieces, then upload them to Google Photos. It would keep them involved, and allow parents, admin, and other teachers the opportunity to see how my classes look.
As always, these ideas tend to work so much better when dreaming about them. One of my biggest fears (and one reason why I haven't used the iPads for filming/photography so far) is that kids will use the camera for the wrong reasons. Capturing an unflattering picture of someone, then uploading it for all to see scares me enough to have not tried it yet. Maybe I'm just paranoid, because I know other classes use pictures and video all the time.
In addition, if we did have this school wide account to upload photos this easy, it would make the end of the year slide show a lot easier to put together!
I like your idea of having a school wide account where you could add weekly pictures or short video clips of what is happening at our schools. I think parents would be more apt to clicking on a link to view pictures & videos rather than reading a lengthy newsletter to get an idea of what's going on in their child's classroom/school.
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaahhhhh! I LOVE your volleyball picture! Great memories!
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the DNP list. I get into the same predicament. I get super paranoid just on my team of 45 about accidentally getting a kid in the picture who is on the list. I can't imagine how you manage when you see so many more kids! I usually resort to only sharing pictures of the work kids are doing or pictures that show just the tops of heads.
I'm toying with the idea this year of asking parents for permission to use pictures in my bi-weekly updates. Maybe there will be parents who are okay with that even though they don't want the pictures being used at the district level for any type of promotional activity...
The do not photo list is a struggle. I think the key is communication of purpose. Having conversations with parents about how the images will be used, when, and why. Also, letting people know that names and specifics are not being shared, just images, I think it would ease worries and possibly dwindle the list.
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