Technology Tool #1: Photoshop

With so many technology tools and resources available, it is difficult to select just three.  For this assignment I decided to review a tool that I feel could be more widely used in classrooms across Ontario.  This tool is Adobe Photoshop.

In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful tools that is offered by OSAPAC.   It is a very versatile program that can be used in many different ways in education.  Although there is a steep learning curve at the beginning, once the user learn the basics, they can quickly build the capacity to create pieces of work they never thought possible. 

From kindergarten to grade three, teachers generally use programs such as Kidpix and/or Paint to allow students to create and manipulate digital images.  By the time they are in grade four, they are ready for something new, and Photoshop is it!  Adobe Photoshop gives students to ability to organize digital images into layers, as well as the ability to remove an image from its background.  Although this is a complex program, students will only need to learn how to use 5 tools (move, eraser, rectangle, zoom and text tool) to start their Photoshop journey.   Within one, lessons students will be fully engaged by the never-ending possibilities that Photoshop offers.  For instance, students can progress from making collages, to baseball cards, all they way up to amazing infographics. 

As student progress, they will begin to use Photoshop along side other programs.  For instance, once student learns how to crop an image from its background, they will be able to create PNG images.  These images can be used to create much more effective presentations in programs such as Prezi and Moviemaker.

The key to learning Photoshop is exploration and developing the ability to troubleshoot.  These are great skills to teach students of all ages.  Prior to teaching, the teacher will obviously need to have enough experience with this program to trouble shoot minor issues.  For instance, the main issues students have at first is understanding that if an area is selected, they can only work inside of that area and that if a layer is added and it cannot be seen, it is probably underneath another layer. 

For educators to build this understanding, they can practice Photoshop by creating their graphic organizers and handouts using this program.  Not only will they develop the necessary skills to teach this program effectively, they will also model the effective use of this program and create handouts that students will find very engaging.   As well, once they are confident and have a strong understanding, they will be able to create handouts quicker and with less frustration than they would if they used a standard word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Open Office.

  

Overall, Photoshop can have a major impact on both the teacher and the student.  The teacher will be able to quickly make the students’ time on the computer very engaging and productive, while at the same time giving them the skills necessary to create anything that they desire.  In addition, students will be able to grow with this program.  As they become more and more familiar with the tools, they will discover that their learning is endless.  For some, this program can continue into their lives beyond high school and possibly into a marketing or graphic artist career. 

Unfortunately, OSAPAC is discontinued its licensing, based on cost.  They will continue to offer Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0, however, they will not be updating this version and it will eventually not work on newer operating systems.  It is important that they reconsider this or find another software that is similar, as students love this program and the skills that it brings out in them.