Flickr is an online photo-sharing site, owned by Yahoo. Flickr has a variety of social networking features that support the sharing of pictures. Users can upload, edit, share, tag, and comment on pictures. With prior permission, users can also print images uploaded by others or use them to create cards, photo books, calendars etc. Typically, users join groups that cater to their interests, and share images within these groups.
I came across two instances where Flickr is used in interesting ways. The first instance involves a group that calls itself Tell a story in five frames. As the name suggests, members of the group try to narrate a story through five photographs which are displayed in succession. The group interprets the story only through the title that’s given by the creator. The comments, discussions and critique that follow are constructive for everybody. Danse Macabre was my personal favorite, but there are several other innovative visual stories that will find here.
Another instance where I thought Flickr was being used creatively was when I came across Beth.h’s photostream. Beth uploads photographs of paintings and uses the note feature to point to her observations of the painting. Some of the notes have a link which leads the viewer to expert opinion, or to more information about a particular aspect of the painting. Several people have used Flickr’s comment feature to discuss their views about the picture.
Now how can these ideas be adapted into a training or a learning set up? Well, there’s a lot that can be done, especially while teaching a process, which requires visuals to enhance learning. Take for instance the process of laying a table- a learning situation in the hospitality industry. In the absence of a live demonstration, this could be taught via a string of images. The note feature can perhaps be used to point out to the various cutlery and their positions on the table. Alternately images could be used to test the learner’s observation of either a live demonstration, or a video, by being asked to arrange the set of five images in the correct order. They could also be asked to pick the correct image from the set of five images, or name the cutlery they see in the picture, using the comments feature. Flickr is a free service, so this whole exercise costs close to nothing. And choosing the right images and uploading them, is a one time effort. Additionally, as Flickr images can be downloaded on mobile phones, a lesson in laying the table can be learned while on the move. In my opinion, it’s important to restrict the number of images to ensure that the chunk of information is brief and focused.
Kerning2.0 