Thing 4: Photo editing - using photos in the writing process

As an iPhone user, I utilize a wide variety of photo editing apps. I found the interface simplistic without too many frills. This makes iPhoto a good fit for students and initial iPad users. Fewer tools and options allow you to focus on the task at hand and the content.

The next portion of this assignment is a bit confusing so I'm going to submit my response from both interpretations (instructions vs. instruction)

Discuss ways to use this feature to enhance instructions: Using photos to create instructions or tutorials can be very helpful for clarifying steps and process. It can also be very useful when working with ESL/ELL students who are still working to develop language proficiency. 

Discuss ways to use this feature to enhance instruction:  Using photos in instruction as a teacher allows me to provide more concrete examples of content. I can also take pictures of key components of a lesson for review and reteaching, or to provide support for those students who were absent.

A classroom activity using iPhoto:  

I would have students utilize the camera during a revising cycle in  writing class. Our students often have very weak leads in their work that does not engage the reader. I would have them snap a pic of their original piece in their writers notebook. I would then have them take a pic of the lead from 3-5 novels that are similar to their genre. They would edit these mentor text pieces to be cropped to focus only on the lead. They could then see more clearly not only the words, but how the author chose to format the text (paragraphing, punctuation, etc. ). Choosing the most effective lead they would then revise their piece in a similar style. They could even try 2 or 3 options. They would then snap a pic of their revised piece. 

As an assessment, I would have them paste the cropped/edited pics of the original, the mentor piece, and their revision to a Google Doc. They could then share this document with the instructor or another student for peer review. Alternately it could be submitted to the eChalk homework Dropbox. I think this could be an effective way to use iPads in conjunction with Writer's Notebooks and the writing cycle without tearing out pages from notebooks or requiring a run to the copier. Students could also archive work in a digital portfolio for reflection on growth through the year. 

Per the assignment, below are my photos - original and edited. 

Original during editing process

Edited and Cropped