Flickr is a free, photo sharing and management application that is available online. This website not only allows people to upload and store their photographs, it allows users to share and browse a vast library of photographs. Photographs on Flickr can be tagged, or associated with specific terms, that allow them to be sorted and located in many different ways. Photographs can also be geotagged, or linked to a specific location. With advanced search options and thousands of photos available through the Creative Commons, Flickr is a wonderful source for educators to find photographs that enhance learning.

In the classroom, I view Flickr as a highly valuable instructional resource. It can be used to locate and share photographs that represent significant people, places, and things. These photographs (if rights allow) can be used in presentations, lessons, and projects. These drastically enhance instruction as they provide a visual perspective of information. With Flickr, students can digitally explore places to build a contextual understanding. For example, if studying about the marsh/swamp habitat, a student can use the search feature to browse an extremely large pool of photographs related to that region. These photographs help students construct knowledge of the habitat. Exploring and studying photographs related to that specific region (and viewing the location on an interactive political map) allows students to build a contextual understanding of that geographic region or location. Flickr would also be an awesome way to construct or partake in a virtual field trip. Aside from using Flickr to find photographs to enhance presentations, here are some other ideas I have for using Flickr in the classroom: locating thematic photographs for writing prompts/assignments, creating content specific PhotoStory project, visual documentation of student work for portfolio, and photo sharing with global ePals.

 (See Photograph Below) This is one of the many photographs I found when browsing through coastal habitats. This photograph can be tied to several of the science standards taught in third grade. We study about the regions of Georgia, one of those regions being the Atlantic Coast. We also study types of soil. Students learn that there are many different types of soil, including sand. Plants that grow in sandy soil are very unique because they get very little nutrients from the actual soil. Because sand does not hold water, these plants take in a lot of water at one time, but can go for periods of time without water. This picture provides a perfect example of a plant that thrives in sandy soil. Visible adaptations for survival are also evident in this photograph. I would ask students to observe the picture and to predict what adaptation is visible.

Photograph Credit:
 Joe Shlabotnik and can be accessed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/363114745/

     After encountering the “CC” on a variety of images, videos, and other media, I finally know what it means! The “CC” represents “Creative Commons” which allows individuals to use and share the work of others, without going through the long process of seeking written permission required for copyright materials. This unparalleled access makes resources readily available and adaptable. As a teacher, I am so grateful for the Creative Commons, and on another level, I’m really excited to learn that “CC” does not always stand for “Closed Caption” which I initially thought.
            As surprised as I was to learn about the Creative Commons, I was even more surprised to know that this access has been around for over ten years! Designed to combat the harsh restrictions and limitations on traditionally copyright resources, the Creative Commons essentially opens up educational resources for others to use, learn from, and be inspired by. The Creative Commons eliminates the “intermediaries,” or the people between the creator and the potential user. It allows an author or creator to share the rights to their material. It provides freedom and flexibility to access and utilize resources that internet sharing and communication was designed to maximize.
       As a teacher, the Creative Commons opens up a vast library of media for me to use to enhance the learning in my classroom. Through the Creative Commons, teachers and educational institutions can exchange information and share ideas globally. This drastically enhances the sharing of a vast amount of education information. I know that my students and I directly benefit from the access to such resources. I am constantly browsing and hunting for video clips, photographs, illustrations, diagrams, songs, texts, and mnemonic phrases to include in instruction. Whether for flipcharts, PowerPoints, PhotoStory projects, or other technology-based resource, I am always looking through Google, TeacherTube, Wikipedia, United Streaming, etc. to find ideas that related to the concept being taught. Other times, I use ideas found on the internet and in other media as a spring board, ideas to build upon and expand. Without the Creative Commons, I would not be able to use these resources without going through a lengthy process of applying for legal permission.
       While there is great potential in the power of the “pool of resources” included in the Creative Commons, it is also evident that some may find this less restrictive access concerning. One concern that I have related to the Creative Commons is that there is no foundation in place to ensure that information accessed and utilized is properly cited. For example, I constantly create interactive flipcharts through ActivInspire. And, because I want to broaden the impact of these resources, I share the flipcharts on a website called Promethean Planet. While I want anyone to be able to modify and utilize my flipcharts, I also want my name to be tied to my original work. Unfortunately, by sharing my work, there is no guarantee that my name will remain associated with the work. When I consider this in the “big scheme of things,” I am reminded that if it enhances student learning, I do not care who is credited with creation. I think the benefits of the Creative Commons far exceeds any risks or potential negative impact.