Getting to Know You...

Rationale:

We are using technology tools to create a safe place for Middle School students to get to know each other by sharing images that represent their interests and activities.  The tools will allow students to use a variety of representations and to develop their own unique voices.

After completing this assignment students will be more familiar with using a Wiki and with using Flickr to assemble and share images.

Using these technologies will allow students to share their answers to questions about themselves orally in front of a local group and in written form with students in other locations.

Process:

1.      Students will locate images that demonstrate (for example) their favorite: activity in school, extra curricular activity, technology tool, food, music.  Selections can be determined either by the teacher, the students or both.

2.      Student will upload images to their individual Flickr accounts then make links from their individual Wiki pages.  Doing so will make it possible for their peers to comment on their various choices.  The capacity to comment and reply combined with the access to collections of images should create a rich environment for students to share their interests.

3.      Locally, students will present their images to their group members and talk about what they chose and why.

Logistics:

Students need to have a Flickr account – either individual ones or a single group account with a shared password.

The Wiki serves as the common source for the assignment and is a place where all the images found in response to the questions can be seen at once.

Possible directions for posting links from Flickr on a Wiki page follow:

In "Your photos," choose the photo(s) you want to post.

Select "all sizes," then select a "small" size image.

Copy and paste the HTML into wiki. Make sure you are in "Source" editing mode.  Repeat for each photograph to create your own unique answers.

Comments:

This is a very bare-bones description of the activity.  The potential for growth and student creativity is enormous.

Sample Assignment

One possible way of setting up the project:

All About Me:	Leeanne
Favorite Activity in school	studentcouncil
Favorite Activity outside of school	beach
Favorite piece of technology
Favorite music	country
Favorite food	shrimp

shrimp 

Another Sample Format:

Select:

Student #1

Student 2

Student 3