My my, how far the internet has come! First you could buy things from online shops from all around the world… Now you can create fantastic momentos with your cherished memories, that is, your photos! I signed up as a member of Big W photos, as I was interested in creating a photo book. I love the idea, and since I didn’t have to go into a shop to upload my photos, it was even more appealing.
So how easy is it?? Bottom line – very easy! All you have to do is become a member (which is for free of course!), sign in and start creating an album by uploading photos already on your computer’s hard drive. I found that my photos downloaded backwards, so I’ll have a look into this next time I’m on.
I could then choose the type of photo gift I wanted to create. Once I clicked photo book, I had the option of a few different sizes and whether I wanted hard back or soft cover. If you select hard back, you also get to choose a coloured linen cover. After this, you can select the colour scheme/theme of your photo book, for example, travelling. Finally, I chose to have my photos displayed in a ‘fun’ format; the other option was contemporary. Below is a screen shot of the virtual photobook available now for me to switch pictures around, add embellishments or even change borders!
So what can teachers do with photo books you might ask? What about a fantastic resource such as a personal picture book (with narration) to show your students? Another idea may be to document an excursion. Considering that generally a class will go on one excursion per year, a photo book would be a great way of creating a durable class resource. Students could even contribute to the text. Photo books start from $9.98 (for one photo book with 20 pages). If you can think of other ways of utilising photo books in the classroom, please feel free to share 
Filed under: Using Technology
Great idea, Kyra!! So creative & contemporary of you! Love it!
So neat and did you know that they are only $9.98 each at the moment! Last day is today for this price.
http://www.bigwphotos.com.au
Thanks for letting me know about the price!
I had heard of Photobooks, however I did not know that they were able to be created online-that is so much more convinient then spending hours at the shop. I look forward to creating one one-day, no doubt as a gift as I never quiet seem to put as much effort into things for myself as I do for others!
I really like your ideas for using Photobooks in the classroom, the students would absolutely love to create one. I was thinking about your question as to other uses in the classroom and I thought that a year six class could put photobooks to the test. Generally at the end of the year, the year 6 students purchase a gift for the school to say thankyou for all the time and effort they invested into each and every student. I think that the students could create a photobook to represent all the accomplishments of the grade and school in the final primary school year. I believe this would be a treasured gift, as it relfects the bonds formed within the school community and the significant events that have got the students to where they are currently at. Thanks for the great idea Kyra.
Thanks Sherree, that’s a wonderful idea for Year 6 to create a photo book! It would also show off their competence in ICT! Thank you for your comment