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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Kimberly Culclager, left, and Kim Hoang, pose for their Father's Day project in Gordon Augustine's sixth-grade class at Columbia Middle School.
Say Cheese!
Mini-grant provides digital imaging in Sunnyvale classroom
By Gretchen Knaupp
A mini-grant of $500 has enabled teacher Gordon Augustine to enhance learning in his sixth-grade classroom through the use of digital imaging.
Sony donated the digital camera to Augustine's classroom, and the mini-grant has provided necessary materials, such as special paper for developing the pictures and software to use the cameras in conjunction with the classroom computers.
The grant has given the sixth-grade students at Columbia Middle School a new creative outlet, as well as an educational tool. According to Augustine, students can now take pictures of themselves and activities, such as field trips. The students are also able to incorporate the worldwide web with digital photos. "They download images from the Internet and use the pictures in their reports," Augustine said.
The students love digital imaging because they can see themselves doing different things and show others what they've done. They are also learning at the same time how to operate a camera. While working on Father's Day cards, Kristal Sana and Kristi Dyer, both 11, said, "We've learned how to use a camera, format pictures into frames, and how to use the software."
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Sixth-graders, Kimberly Culclager, left, and Kim Hoang, work with a digital camera at Columbia Middle School.
Augustine says the camera has helped the classroom dynamic. "It gives them an identity in the classroom. It helps to enhance their projects, and in turn gives the students special recognition," he said.
According to Augustine, the girls and boys in his class enjoy using the camera for different tasks. "The girls prefer to do the more art-related projects, while the boys like taking pictures of sporting activities," he says.
In order to get funding for materials, Augustine wrote a letter to the Sunnyvale Education Foundation last May. Augustine says, without the grant money, he couldn't have continued with the program.
According to Augustine, every classroom comes equipped with one computer and one printer. Two years ago, Augustine successfully requested funds from the foundation for more computers and a high quality printer. "After getting the computers, digital imaging was the next step, so we could do more with them," Augustine said Yolanda Brown, a director on the foundation board, voiced her support for Augustine and the program. She hopes other teachers will follow in his footsteps and apply for similar grants.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
The two girls incorporate their digital images with other computer designed graphic elements to create gifts for Father's Day.
"We were very excited when we saw the application for the grant. It's a very innovative and hands-on project," Brown said. "[Augustine] is so enthusiastic, and I think the kids are really excited to work with him as well, and that's what it's all about--getting the kids excited."
Augustine says because he is new to this technology, he has parents come in and help with the project, who work in the commuter technology field. "I am still learning about computers and web sites, so I need extra people to help me," he said.
Augustine is the only teacher at Columbia to bring a digital camera into the classroom, but he hopes that will change in the near future with an expansion of tools. He says, for now, other teachers come in and borrow his camera.
Augustine says the next thing he will ask for will be a backup battery, He also said he eventually wants to get a digital video camera. "This way we can make videos of class presentations," he said. "Every year we want to get to the next step, but there is a cost for everything, so we are always looking for funding."
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
