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Digitally enhanced iPhone image
A few weeks ago, I set up a plan for the month of January DigiLit posts. I promised to tweet the topic on Thursdays. I have not fulfilled that plan. I have been barely making it with a tweet on Saturday. Forgive me. I’m adjusting the plan somewhat. I’ll place the topic for next week in the current DigiLit Sunday post and tweet a reminder on Saturday. If you are writing posts, or want to join us, please go to the Google doc to add your information and your topic ides.
I enjoy playing with photographs on my phone using various photo-enhancing apps. The technology available to us today allows for regular people like me to make cool, professional looking photos with a click.
My students have discovered that in their Kidblog, they can change, manipulate, add features, etc. to their avatars. While this is fun, it can take away time from focusing on the real stuff of blogging, the writing. What place does digital design have in our classrooms, if any?
I struggle with this question. I think it is important to encourage creativity in the classroom, but where does creativity end and just fooling around begin?
My answer has been in setting purposes for digital design and creativity. When my students work on blogging, the design for their posts must serve a purpose. The design should communicate. Setting backgrounds, changing fonts and font size, manipulating images should communicate a tone or theme.
What are some ways you encourage digital design in your classroom? Join the conversation with the link below.
I am blogging for Kidblog. To see my latest post on Tapping into the World of Wonder, click here.
Next week’s topic comes from Maria Caplin: Increasing student vocabulary beyond definitions.
Reflections on the Teche 
Great topic because it’s a struggle for me even as an adult! I think there always has to be a balance. I know that it’s easy for so many “time suckers” to take us away from our real purpose – communicating!
I love this part of your post and will hang on to it . . . “What place does digital design have in our classrooms, if any?
I struggle with this question. I think it is important to encourage creativity in the classroom, but where does creativity end and just fooling around begin?”
Margaret, I agree with you and know that digital design is the tool that enhances the thought.
Margaret, I agree with you and know that digital design is enhanced by the tool used but the content of the image’s message is the essence. Do I sometimes play with the design more than needed-perhaps but it is because visual presentation is important to me. Technology is the tool that pops our work but the message is what counts. Words Matter. I hope to write this post at some time but it will not be tonight. Have a great week.
My kids play with the avatars too. It frustrates me as well. Technology can take so much time for kids just to the spot of starting communication. But then the results can be so stunning and worthwhile. So I guess it all comes down to balance: daily judgment, kid by kid, situation by situation decisions. Never easy.