Analysis
Is Flickr appropriate for the classroom?
I feel that Flickr is generic and versatile enough to allow many different types of classrooms to utilize it. Flickr does not require a great deal of technical know how. Its base purpose is to store, share, and display images. This is very straight forward and universal.
The number one reason I feel that Flickr is great tool for classrooms is it makes acquiring, collecting, and displaying visuals much easier. For a very long time, visuals have been used in the classroom. Images have been collected, printed, cut out, and displayed to help students visually compare and associate with the lessons being taught. But this was limited to pictures in books and other published works. Teachers and students would scour their collections of magazines, posters, books, and personal photos to find something. They were not always successful. Flickr has created a searchable collection of photos from all across the world to choose from. There are groups and collections made on Flickr designed for specific subject classes.
The second reason I really encourage the use of Flickr is the students and/or school can collaborate and create together. The 21st century educational model encourages project based, collaborative assignments. Flickr provides a storage and collaboration center to allow students within a community to work together. But the school is not limited to work within the community. They could collaborate with another school in Canada, or anywhere if the world if they so choose.
The number one reason I feel that Flickr is great tool for classrooms is it makes acquiring, collecting, and displaying visuals much easier. For a very long time, visuals have been used in the classroom. Images have been collected, printed, cut out, and displayed to help students visually compare and associate with the lessons being taught. But this was limited to pictures in books and other published works. Teachers and students would scour their collections of magazines, posters, books, and personal photos to find something. They were not always successful. Flickr has created a searchable collection of photos from all across the world to choose from. There are groups and collections made on Flickr designed for specific subject classes.
The second reason I really encourage the use of Flickr is the students and/or school can collaborate and create together. The 21st century educational model encourages project based, collaborative assignments. Flickr provides a storage and collaboration center to allow students within a community to work together. But the school is not limited to work within the community. They could collaborate with another school in Canada, or anywhere if the world if they so choose.