Deepzoom and Photozoom: Microsoft Live labs in the Classroom

One of the great privileges of my current position is being able to watch talented teachers teach and to share ideas with them. On Monday I was observing a particularly enthusiastic NQT teach about Fairtrade. When I was teaching geography full time this was something I used to really enjoy teaching the children about. In fact I even had a go at teaching the parents a thing or two!

Anyway, as I was observing and learning from the lesson, I started to think about a great Deepzoom Fairtrade activity that could be used for future classes by myself and other people. I had an opportunity to try it out today and the children responded really well to it. It’s sort of based on the hard Rock Café example that I saw at the NAACE Conference in that you zoom out from the picture to revel each stage.

I’ve embedded the Photozoom file at the end of this post and a video showing how to revile the picture. I made the picture using the Deep Zoom Composer which is a powerful and free Microsoft download. Here’s a walk through to explain that every part of the ‘zoom out’ has a story and learning point.

I started zoomed in on the Fairtarde Logo (see the video at the end to find out how). I talked with the class about fairtrrade and the sort of products that carry the Fairtrade Logo.

Then I zoomed out to show the football – discuss with the class why footballs are fairtade and the advantages / disadvantages of buying fairtrade products like this. Do the class know of any celebrities who endorse fair-trade products?

Then zoom out to show the boy kicking the football – I asked the class if they thought this was someone who buys or makes fair-trade products? How could they tell? and why?

Then I zooned out to show the ‘Weymouth and Portland’ postcard. I explained that Weymouth and Portland is Fairtrade town / area of the UK. I asked the class what they thought Fairtrade towns were or if they new of any in Scotland. I also used the Weymouth and Portland to link to the 2012 Olympics.

Then I zoomed out to show the Aberfeldy postcard as well. This was Scotland’s first Fairtrade Town. We discussed the closest Fairtade town to Musselburgh – its Longniddry if you didn’t know.

Then I zoomed out to show the African classroom. I explained that some children in less economically developed counties (LEDC’s) can really benefit from fairtrade as it means their parents get a guarantied price for their crops. In some cases this means that their children can be sent to school. I emphasised that in some African counties primary education is free but secondary education requires payment. I tried to link the education discussion to job prospects etc…

Then I zoomed out to show the PowerPoint slide. We talked about the other direct benefits to the grower of Fairtrade. This included education, microfinance, healthcare, standard of living, sustainability etc…

Then I zoomed out to the school classroom. I linked this to the importance of educating everyone about Fairtrade and ethically traded products.

What do you think? Feedback welcome?

Video of ‘zoom out' below:

Photozoom to use in your class embedded below. NOTE: You will need Silverlight to view it at work / home.

Comments

[Ray]

Ollie, what a great description of how you used it in your lesson.

When I first saw it, without the description I thought it was interesting - but it was the lesson you delivered that made it fascinating.

[OllieBray]

Thanks Ray - like all these tools, its how they support the classroom teacher to empower learning within children.

Tools like deep zoom have some great potential - but the narrative (like the one I have given above) is what has been missing from any other example I've seen.

Its the difference between impressive use of technology and relevant use of technology.

Really pleased you liked the example.