When I began teaching many moons ago, one of the first activities that went in my ‘filler tool box’ was one called ‘colour my picture’. The basic aim of which was a speaking exercise based on a black and white photo. The students worked together to decide what the colours are in a black and white photo. They discussed why they thought so and had to agree. Not only a handy filler, but also useful exam practice exercise. Back then it was black and white photos from newspapers. As technology advanced, computers and digital cameras meant that more photos could be used, students could start to bring in their own and comparisons could be made with original photos. The exercise could also be adapted to paint by number exercise, with students colouring in the pictures.
So this week when I came across the ‘
dashofcolor’ I was reminded of what a useful activity it was and how now, with this app it can be given an mlearning lease of life.
The app is designed for the user to be able to mix black and white with hints of colour. It can be used for some stunning results as shown from their
public gallery. How ever it is perfect for the aforementioned picture activity. A student simply uses the app on their mobile device. Having taken a photo, the open it in the app. As soon as they do it is in black and white. As this is a collaborative task it gets round the issue of not everyone having a device. Students discuss what colour things are and try and agree i.e. I think the taxis are yellow because it is New York. When they have agreed then they can use their finger to reveal what the colour was.
As the black and white and / coloured hinted photos can be exported and emailed, the photos can also be used on class blogs, set up as writing rather than speaking tasks .
The app is free but in return you have to put up with ads at the top of the screen (something you might need to consider if using with younger students), for 69 pence the ads can be removed.
I like it when apps can be used to simply bring a new lease of life to my stanrdard toolbox.
