Last school year in the spring I offered a Gigapan class as an elective. It proved very interesting. The kids that signed up for the class were kids who struggled in academic classes due to reading and writing challenges. This was a great opportunity to get them engaged in reading and writing through gigapan.
As the trimester started, I showed them lots of gigapan pictures to get them excited about the actual gigapan camera. Then I taught them how to use the camera around school, both inside and outside. Eventually, some of the students wanted to take the gigapan camera home and try out their skills. Having kids actually take the pictures, post them, and write comments and questions enabled them to grow academically and socially.
My particular class had kids who otherwise would not talk to each other. Gigapan became an avenue of collaboration for them. They began to work together in the set up of the camera, deciding what to take pictures of, and working on the final presentation by posting questions and writing comments. These gigapan "conversations" within our classroom helped them develop respect and concern for each other. The gigapan brought us together as a class. Lastly, the kids in the elective began to feel privileged because they knew how to do something that other kids didn't know how to do.
Overall, the gigapan elective was a great experience for the kids and myself. I would love to do it again and get the kids involved in documenting their community service projects. Gigapan opens doors for kids and adults through panoramic pictures and conversations.
Ms. Johnson
Propel Braddock Hills High School