What a fascinating discussion!
In teaching rank beginners, modern digital technology is both a blessing
and a curse. If you get too caught up in discussing the theory of
apertures, ISO, shutter speed etc etc, then you lose some if not many of
the students' interest. They want to take pictures! And some of them,
despite our requests, will still turn up with P&S models, whilst others
have the latest Canon 400D or Nikon D40X etc.
So we use their camera as their first two week project. Take pictures,
and experiment with the simple settings.
This provides us with a double spring board: firstly how the settings
can work to their advantage, secondly how the actual picture content looks.
All criticism is positive.
If it went wrong technically, get them to try to explain what happened
and how can it be avoided.
If they're dissatisfied the content, the same procedure.
The students love a subject in which you can actually achieve marks for
mistakes - as long as they learn from them!
From that first project we do three more two week units, with a theme
and basic work structure and finally a four week project on a single
theme with wide interpretation.
At all times we introduce technical terms and critical analysis, and
investigate composition in terms not of rules but of why this picture
works and that one doesn't.
Student assessments of photography at my school are virtually always
positive, the only "negatives" coming from those who thought it would be
an easy option.
We never recruit - our students persuade the younger ones to take it up.
Howard
P.S.
The background detailed below may be of interest to the forum. My school
is in the U.K.
Students from 16 to 18 study a two year course, composed of an
independent unit (AS) for the first year and a voluntary unit (A2) for
the second. Together they form a single subject qualification called
Advanced Level General Certificate of Education.
Students do not need any prior knowledge.
There are 5 1-hour lessons a week plus independent study of up to 4
hours a week.
The course is "Art" delivered through the medium of Photography.
This allows us to use anything creative to inspire our students.
Some also follow an Art course simultaneously.
For the first year we have up to 60 students in 3 groups.
In the second year this is up to 25 students in 2 groups.
Assessment is based on 4 objectives:
1. Visual Recording
2. Critical Thinking
3. Planning and Organisation
4. Actual Outcome
and marked on 3 units for AS:
1. Research Projects
2. Personal Investigation (into any area of photography)
3. Practical Assignment
and for A2 (much higher standard of achievement and language)
1. Specialist Projects
2. Personal Study
3. Practical Test
