Using Flickr in my Class

I really like the idea of using Flickr to share the pictures I already take of the students when they are working, on field trips, at assemblies, etc. Thinking about actually using Flickr for a project or a unit in my classroom is a little harder. I do have one unit that I taught with seventh graders in pre-Algebra on measurement and scale. The assignment after the unit, in place of a test, was to measure their bedroom and the items in it (they were cautioned to do this when they had just cleaned their room, otherwise there might be too many things in the way!). After measuring the room and the items they recorded this information and then at school created a replica of their room and it had to be to scale. Their replica could be in 2D or 3D, but the measurements and the scale had to be correct. Many of the students used posterboard and "drew" their replica. It was a nice project and I was able to gauge if they understood scale, but I could never be certain that their measurements were exact (which wasn't overly important) and I also could not be certain that they actually included everything in their rooms-bed, desk, chair, alarm clock, jewelry box, trophies, etc. By incorporating Flickr in the assignment, I could require the students to photograph their room from different angles and load them to Flickr. Since it is a big project, I would not be opposed to helping them do that part in class. This would help me to know that they were truthful in what they actually measured and then the students could also help each other be sure that they included everything. At the end of the assignments, when the students present their projects, they can also show their pictures without worrying about bringing in actual photographs. This is one way I will be using Flickr in my teaching this coming year.