Being media savvy or literate is one skill that is imperative that we pass on to our students. Being able to apply critical analysis to the flood of information that bombards us is of utmost importance. A lesson I found that reinforces that skill using flicker is located here, http://www.teachersnetwork.org/NTNY/nychelp/technology/flickr.htm
In this lesson students are asked to study images used for Soviet propaganda and describe how images are used to mold opinion.
“For my "Propaganda during the Russian Revolution" project, students had to analyze how the propagandists used color and slogans to get their messages across. For example, some wrote about how the Bolshevik workers looked strong and handsome, whereas the capitalists looked fat and lazy. For another activity, students created dialogues for the characters, making it even more interactive.”
“The steps:
1. Get a flickr account and create your own class page.
2. Instruct students to get their own flickr accounts. Get your students' flickr email addresses, and send their invitations to join your site. I keep my page private, to keep outsiders away. Students will then get their own accounts, and accept the invitation.
3. Begin by uploading pictures on your flickr group page. Once you model this skill to the students, they usually catch on very quickly. Show them how to embed comments. Once they click to enlarge an image, they can click on the "add note" tab. Then write your sample comment. Model how to embed comments.
3. Give them specific guidelines for commenting. I tell them to brainstorm ideas in their groups first, so only the best ideas get embedded on the pictures. Once they’ve done this they can type them in. Some sample comments: "Red is the dominant color in the poster, which represents communism," or "Notice how the farm looks like a fairy tale. The bright colors make collectivism look utopian."
4. Project sharing: I like to have different groups share their work. Students can view other group work and add comments in the box below. I like them to add their own ideas, if they think there are any key points that have been left out.
5. Connecting to the content: Students should relate their work to the content. They should understand that propaganda was a tool for the Bolsheviks to gain mass support and encourage them to keep fighting against the "evil" bourgeoisie.”
Using this in a more current setting students could upload and analyze modern news and entertainment images and discuss how these images shape our perceptions of events that are happening now. The ability to see past the immediate emotional impact of the media we are subjected to is essential to becoming a well rounded and functioning adult and by using flickr and other sites such as you tube gives students the ability to step back and think about what is being presented to us and what it really means.
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