picnik_new_sample1

picnik_new_sample1
Originally uploaded by samaael2010

Using both Flickr and Picnik are fairly basic and a very inexpensive way of managing and altering images for your desired needs. Instead of forking out money for something that generally requires an undergraduate course to properly utilise, you can use these free web based software. I had a lot of fun using Picnic and really recommend it for those who cannot be bothered investing the time and finance in something like Photoshop (I know I am not). For what you are doing (and hopefully that's learning managing), Picnic is more than suffice in employing engaged learning strategies.

Once learning styles of students are determined, images altered in certain ways can accommodate for the different demographics of students. I spent prolific time playing around with the image posted (by the way I love Picnik, if you can't already tell), experimenting with the cropping and resizing. This image is one of the demo images. To engage creative students you could completely alter the conventions (colour, size, contrast etc) of a subject quite easily in an image and present in perhaps an irrelevant context so the student can analyse the image in an unconventional way. This is sparking the cognitive development of the students; playing with the abstract. I like the idea of discovering through comparison of contrast. Different and perhaps opposing images can swim through the filters of the differing sensory cognitive attributes to the working memory. Cooper (1998) states that the cognitive load is made of three memorising dimensions, the first being the sensory memory, the initial contact with this stimuli. Perhaps I could incorporate an image and alter the colour conventions of the subject so students can remember it easier? Most would probably remember the subsequent qualities of a carrot if they are initially exposed to an image of perhaps a green carrot? Why not make it humourous? Something to think about.

Cooper, G (1998). 'Research into Cognitive Load Theory and Instructional Design at UNSW', retrieved from http://dwb4.unl.edu/Diss/Cooper/UNSW.htm