Discover the power of your Smartphone Camera!

Here are some simple concepts to keep in mind when taking pictures with the camera on your smartphone:


• Take pictures in a well lit area. Use light to your advantage- best if coming from behind the photographer, with light beaming on subject. In absence of light, consider artificial lighting solutions.
• Read the manual. Know your device 
• Adjust camera resolution and display setting. What may not look good on the phone may look drastically different on the computer screen.
• Try different angles to capture your subject best. Start at eye level, but change elevation and angle- take many shots and delete the duds after the fact.
• Use a plain background to your advantage. 
• Get a better shot if you move physically closer, versus Zooming in. 
2 feet from your subject is a good minimum distance. 
• “Selfie Sticks” can be used for more than self portraits. Use them to steady shots or get hard to reach perspectives. 
• Consider purchasing a tripod, backdrops, and lighting
• Stay still; keep your hand still a second or two after shooting, since the digital shot is still processing.
• Crop, Don't Zoom. 
• Upload photos to a cloud, download them to your computer using a cable, or email them to yourself to get them off of your phone


Skills to Practice: 
• Hold Phone Sideways
• Double tap to focus
• Use Top buttons to take picture when available
• Use the Timer for shots
• Turning Flash on/off

Terminology
• Zoom
• Brightness/Contrast
• Focus

Audio and Video 3d Printing Primer Part 3

Here is part 3 of a  Podcast/Video I created for a 3D Fundamentals course..

Audio and Video 3d Printing Primer Part 2

Here is part 2 of a  Podcast/Video I created for a 3D Fundamentals course..

Audio and Video 3d Printing Primer Part 1

Here is part 1 of a  Podcast/Video I created for a 3D Fundamentals course. 

Legal and Ethical Concerns Regarding Video Recording Class Sessions

In the Level 2 Module, I explored the idea to offer library computer class content online instead of only in the traditional setting, and consider a future with a more "flipped" approach. 

One idea I have is to record a typical class session with real students, and turn that into a video lesson online. I feel that authentic questions asked and the real classroom dynamic would really have more impact for students learning specific topics.

If I were to implement this idea in my current County Library situation, I would need to get permission slips signed by my students to use their likeness, even if it was the back of their heads or even just their voices. 

Or, alternatively, I would only focus the camera on me, edit out all audio of students questions, but be sure to reiterate the questions, and perhaps use text overly in the video to highlight the question. I already do this normally in class as a teaching mechanic so it should not be very difficult to keep my flow. 

In the interests of accessibility for a wide audience, I would implement closed captioning and text based summary in the details of the video, and I would monitor any words or phrases that could trigger negative responses in my audiences. Potentially, I would disable commenting on the video directly, but encourage students to interact with me or each other in a less public online venue.