BP5_20091102_Flickr

There are so many terrific uses for Flickr in the classroom. As an educator, you can rest assured that all of the images you choose to use from Flickr are royalty free (one less thing to stress over). After reading several blog posts about how teachers are currently using Flickr with their students, there was one that really caught my eye.

This particular lesson is to be structured for use with elementary students. When children are young, so much of what they know is visual only. For example, they know what a ball or cup is long before they know the meaning associated with it. This activity would allow students to enter vocabulary words into the search field on Flickr and see what images are generated or associated with that particular definition. Once the students have a better understanding of the meaning, they may write their own definition based on how they perceived the meaning. Students could then share their interpretations with the class, and eventually compare their work with a dictionary definition.

This activity allows students to interpret and process information in their own unique way. Instead of being told the “correct” definitions from the start, students embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment. They are able to use their own senses and personal experiences to lead them to better understanding. This journey allows for a more solid and personal connection to the material or assignment on hand. The more a student can relate, the better the chance of comprehension.