Digital phone or tablet are best for this class. You can use a camera to share what they take photos of and be able to communicate to others their appreciation for their photographs.  Prefer Digital phone or tablet over digital SLR as we will be able to share better using phone or tablet. 

We are in the zoom format. There is no ideal way for students to share photos that I have found yet. I suggest the students use a portable computer or preferably a phone or tablet. I use a tablet iPad Pro since it has a larger display and excellent camera. 

Students can share their photos by showing them by holding their camera up to the screen currently. I don’t like that but it is easiest to do. 

Rather than actually take the photo I prefer the student show me with their Zoom camera what they are looking at as they compose the photograph. That way we see the process versus the result. 

I want the student to show what they have in their environment yet few do that. The ones that do show me from their Zoom camera perspective what they see and we discuss that. That works best. 

Although they are not taking the photograph in a normal sense it simulates what the photograph would look like if they took it. The class is not long enough for much of their photography but has worked well for me to show what I would photograph. 

I’d rather have it the way I describe above as the process, but many of the students are shy and leave their cameras off for the entire class. 

Interaction with the instructor is needed in this class.  When your child watches a YouTube video they don’t need to interact with another person.  However, in my classes it is very important to interact with the students.  Please encourage your child to leave their Zoom videocamera on during class. It is not easy to connect to a black screen and the the lack of feedback does not enhance my instruction since I don’t get non-verbal or verbal feedback from the student.  I want to ensure each student is getting the instruction and understanding of what I’m teaching.  Verbal or visual feedback is essential for me to teach at my best. If your child has anxiety issues and does not do well with Zoom videocamera on, please let me know ahead of time.  If I forget and ask them in class, please have them chat Directly with me, (Not to Everyone) and remind me it was cleared by you the parent.  I don’t want to embarass them in any way.  I want them to be comfortable in the class. I want all students to succeed.  

The Students seem to like the way I have done the class in general and they learn enough that hopefully they feel confident about taking their own photographs. I’d rather have them more involved since that reinforces the skills for them and gets them to apply knowledge at higher cognitive level. 

Again The Best Equipment Scenario for Student:
It is better to log in with a Tablet bring their phone to take photos as they look around outside. I also would suggest that they take photos before the class and then during and or afterwards to compare the photos and see what they have learned. 

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Composition 25 Tips
Google
Harold Edgerton
Edward Steichen
Yosuf Karsh
Christies
Free Link to National Geographic Wildlife photo book