If Galileo Galilei had had a digital camera: teaching science to a digital generation

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show how the digital camera can serve as a practice-changing educational tool to transform science education in elementary and middle school. We present three class projects which have the use of digital cameras as common denominator. These cases reflect a theory of research-practice-based science education, in which experimentation is the main tool. However, new educational practices and learning activities should accompany this tool. Only by changing the educational practices would we be able to provide new ways to educating our digital-generationkids, which are now demanding a new culture of learning.