Inquiry 1, Reflections on Assessment 2

After performing the second assessment on my subject I have gained some insight into her understanding of the subject of photography. My first set of questions tried to address the types of things they were learning in class. What I found out was that the class was more about the how to’s and not the why’s. I also found out that the class was restricted to the use of manual cameras requiring film. This in mind, and the fact that the class focused on the how to aspect of photography, it didn’t surprise me that her response to a question involving the concept of photography was, “using a manual camera helped me understand the concepts of photography... it helped me learn how the different shutter speeds make a difference (and) how film is developed.” She reinforced this idea later stating that, “I think it was good to use manual cameras because it helped me understand the concepts of how photos are actually made.” This is only one aspect of the concept of photography, so these statements show a very novice approach to the concept. Another area where the subject really had a limited knowledge was with the social constructivist idea of the interconnectedness between photography and the other disciplines. “I have no clue how Photography relates to Science or Social Studies.” This answer shows that the subject does not understand how history and societal uses of the camera have shaped how it was created and how it is used today. The subject did however go onto say that they engaged in “peer critiques”, “we got into groups of three and four and would get a handful of photos to critique. We were given the photo and their self critique form and as a group we would say what was good about the photo, and what could have been done differently.” If a third assessment were to be done this is something I would like to pursue further. I would like to find out more about the subjects understanding of how these reviews are themselves ideas given through socially constructed lenses. In regards to Dewey and his thoughts on experience, I feel the subject fully engaged the spirit of experience. While her understanding was still very basic and technical it also showed signs of being socially constructed and cognitive at the same time. Socially constructed not only in respect to the lessons handed out by the teacher but also in how the other students graded the photo’s; Cognitively related by the attempt and then subsequent attempts to create a better overall product. “knowing how hard it is to capture certain moments made me want to try harder and put more effort into it... (for the sports photos) I shot three rolls of film because I wasn’t happy with the first two rolls. It made me want to try harder not only because I was being graded on it but also because I wanted to be satisfied and know that I did the best that I could.” I believe this is the kind of action Dewey was referring to when he thought of anticipation leading to actions. Further more I feel he would support all of this because, “I was more determined to take better and more interesting pictures (because they were) product(s) of my thoughts and works”, is a statement showing belief in a students ideas motivating them to take action and see something through to completion.