Photo Hunt

1. Title of the learning scenario
2. Brief introduction
3. Keywords
4. Application in educational context
5. Targeted educational sector
6. Learners' special characteristics
7. Learning subject/ field
8. Specific educational objectives
9. Narrative/sequential description of the learning activities
10. Learning resources involved
11. Wiki application
12. Other ICT applications involved
13. Infrastructure / equipment
14. Prerequisite competences
15. Evaluation approach
16. Typical learning time
17. Temporal mode
18. Typical learning location
19. Opportunities
20. Obstacles
21. Other aspects to consider

Title of the learning scenario

Photo Hunt

Brief introduction

This scenario is a half day wiki scavenger hunt and free content photography contest conducted in a particular locale, where participants compete to take photographs of as many pre-defined local sights as possible. Pictures are then uploaded on Wikimedia Commons and may be used afterwards to illustrate Wikipedia articles where they are needed.

Keywords

Pictures, photo hunting, illustrations, cities

Application in educational context

This scenario has been experimented at least 25 times in various cities around the world, with great success. It has been applied under the name "Wikipedia Takes Your City".

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Your_City

Targeted educational sector

• Secondary education
• Higher education
• Adult training

Learners' special characteristics

Learners should be able to move around preferably as the learning activity involves exploring streets and monuments

Learners should have a basic understanding and interest for photography

May be more appropriate for learners from rather artistic background

Learning subject/ field

• Photography
• Wikimedia Commons

Specific educational objectives

* collaboration skills

* applied artistic skills

* knowledge of historical and cultural patrimony

* technical skills

Narrative/sequential description of the learning activities

The teacher should plan the activity with the following points

1. Choose a location. The location for the hunt can be as specific as an art museum or as big as an entire country. Once you have decided on a location, figure out a good meeting place where everyone can get together at the end of the event. Make sure the place you choose has free internet access available. If your location is geographically broad, you may want to have everyone meet at a virtual location, such as an online chat room, rather than in person.

2. Compiling a list of targets (photographs to be taken)
 A list of articles needing photographs can be compiled. It can also be that some articles which do have photographs need more modern photographs, or photographs of specific things at the location. The list should be broadly organized by neighborhood, with addresses and cross-streets included. It is also possible to not refer to Wikipedia articles but to decide to create or improve a whole category in Wikimedia Commons (such as one related to a village or a neighbourhood).

3. Meeting face to face with the entire group of learners.

• Explain the photo hunt process
• Check they know about photograph and proper use of the camera
• Build the teams (2-3 people)
• Make sure they understand the terms of use of Wikimedia Commons (all images uploaded must be under a free licence)

4. Instruction packets
The finalized list of spots to be photographed should be printed in an instruction packet to be given out on the morning of the event, with full instructions and a code number for each of the locations.

5. Photo Hunt itself

Meeting all together at the starting point. Make sure every team has the instruction material and a camera. Define a meeting time at the end of the hunt. Start the hunt.

It is important that participants take a "context photograph" of an index card with the location code written on it (held up in front of the camera and the target location), before actual photographs of the target location. This helps reconstruct which photographs are of which location. Participants should be encouraged to compete in teams of two or three members if they want to, which increases the fun factor. Still, they should share one camera/memory card, because this also helps reconstruction.
 Scores can be tallied with a point system: 10 points for normal locations, 5 bonus points for locations that also had interior photographs, and 30 points for locations far from the city center or for building of specific interest. This is mostly interesting with teenagers

6. Uploading images
The uploading can be held at a party in the evening or during the next day. Scores can also be tallied and prizes given to members of the winning teams.
Make sure to tag the images appropriately (category, licence, full legend) (Wikimedia_Commons_licensing_tutorial and Contributing your own work)
Use on Wikipedia articles if appropriate

A way to do massive uploads is through the Wikimedia Photo Scavenger Hunts site. Alternatively, a program such as Commonist can be used. Or the regular upload wizard tool on Wikimedia Commons (upload of images one by one. Video).

Additional suggestions to give to the participants

Do's:

• Wear light-colored clothing that can be seen at night.
• Bring index cards and markers for reference photos.
• Take a reference photo of each target, that is, a photo which includes the name of the target. (That way you'll know where the subsequent photos were taken.)
• Take photos of each target from different angles and vantage points.
• Use one memory card per team. Make sure the memory card is empty before you start taking the photographs.
• Bring a laptop to the after-party if you can.

Don'ts:

• Do not take pictures of people without their consent.
• Do not include personal photos.
• Do not loiter around or block sidewalks or streets.
• Do not take photos where it is prohibited to do so.

Learning resources involved

For learners

Wikimedia Commons is the primary learning resource involved.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Category:Photography may bring interesting information with regards to taking pictures

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:How_to_take_pictures_for_Wikimedia_Commons (how to take pictures)

For teachers

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments/Organizing_a_Wiki_takes proposes good ideas for how to organise a wiki take and some case studies

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wiki_Loves_Monuments list all specific events organized to take picture of monuments

When the teacher is familiar with using Wikipedia, he may use the special recommandations for Wikimedia Photo Scavenger Hunts.

A way to do massive uploads is through the Wikimedia Photo Scavenger Hunts site. Alternatively, a program such as Commonist can be used. Or the regular upload wizard tool on Wikimedia Commons (upload of images one by one).

However, this is absolutely not mandatory in setting up a photo hunt. Links may be nevertheless interesting as resources to set up the context:

* http://toolserver.org/~contests/ (tool to organise a hunt)

* http://toolserver.org/~contests/startahunt.php (how to organize a hunt)

* http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Photo_scavenger_hunts

Wiki application

MediaWiki

Other ICT applications involved

Infrastructure / equipment

• Digital camera
• Data cable or card reader for transfer of photos
• Vehicle for getting around (or public transport)
• A room for original and final meetings

Prerequisite competences

• Basic to advance knowledge in photography
• Basic ICT skills

Evaluation approach

• Presence and respect of the rules (teacher assessment with group feedback)
• Number of pictures taken & Quality of pictures & Pertinence of pictures (group assessment, contest)
• Final sharing on Wikimedia Commons (teacher assessment)

Typical learning time

* 2 hours pre-meeting to set up the context

* half a day photo hunt

* 4-8 hours to report back, evaluate pictures, contest, upload pictures (face-to-face meeting plus online presence)

Temporal mode

Synchronous interaction primarily

Typical learning location

• Classroom with computers
• In the streets

Opportunities

We shall see !

Obstacles

Poor weather

Other aspects to consider

Your text