Digital Literacy 09: Image Editing
Imaging editing is the final and perhaps most popular topic in our 7th Grade Digital Literacy course; it seems that nearly everyone enjoys taking and manipulating images. Just as “Googling” has become THE verb for searching the web, “Photoshopping” is the de facto standard for image editing. As such, the powerful yet user-friendly Photoshop Elements is our tool of choice:
Teaching Photoshop is more than simply helping students master the art of editing; it’s a vehicle for reinforcing Copyright and Fair Use and can lay the groundwork for developing visual/media literacy. Images (and video) can be incorporated into any subject or grade level, and the Adobe Digital Schools Collection is a great resource for teachers seeking ideas. The site includes lesson plans, assessment tips, and a digital portfolio tutorial that even novice users can quickly and easily apply to the classroom.
No Photoshop? No Problem!
It may the standard, but there are numerous free alternatives to Photoshop, many of which have unparalleled features. Here are a few of our favorites:
- FotoFlexer “is the world’s most advanced online digital photo editor. It performs advanced effects previously only available to professionals using expensive software.”
- Lunapic is a straightforward yet versatile online editor that includes numerous adjustments, effects, animations, and an extensive help/tutorials.
- PhotoFunia “is an online photo editing tool that gives you a fun filled experience. You upload any photo and just wait to see the magic. “
- Photosynth “allows you to take a bunch of photos of the same scene or object and automagically stitch them all together into one big interactive 3D viewing experience that you can share with anyone on the web.”
- Picnik “makes your photos fabulous with easy to use yet powerful editing tools. Tweak to your heart’s content, then get creative with oodles of effects, fonts, shapes, and frames.”
Getting Started
No matter your skill level, interests, or needs, the aforementioned resources will help you find an appropriate entry point into the world of digital imaging. Photoshop Elements does not have to be intimidating, and time spent practicing and reviewing tutorials will get you on your way. The addage that a picture is worth a thousand words is true, and with a little editing, it might even be worth a few more.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I really agree with the idea of tying digital literacy and images into the bigger picture of copyright and fair use. I’ve been working to wrap my mind around how to approach this with students for years. I’m beginning to think that images are some how more tangible than words to students. I’m trying to teach them to search for images in Pics4Learning in the fourth and fifth grade. The inclusion of a bibliography for each picture really helps. I think I will use it in the third grade this year too. From there, I move on to having them create animations and select a license for their work. The sixth grade is in the process of creating a movie from images and a creative commons licensed version of America the Beautiful.
Hopefully, as they make these important choices and practice citing images and music, they will be better able to wrap their minds around citing sources and respecting other people’s rights – digital and otherwise.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Ann–it sounds like you are doing some really interesting and important things with your students. I agree that images seem to resonate more than words when it comes to copyright and fair use, and it’s helpful to try to tie them all together. I hope you share some of your students’ finished projects; I think we could all learn a lot from them!