Context
Our iPads hold hundreds, even thousands, of photos, creating a digital shoebox of memories. But how do we find that one specific picture from last year's field trip without endless scrolling? This lesson introduces students to the powerful organisational tools within the Photos app, transforming them from simple picture-takers into digital archivists.
This is a lesson in curation and digital management. Students will learn to move beyond the main camera roll and create themed albums to group related memories, just like creating sections in a photo album. They will also unlock the magic of the search bar, discovering how their iPad automatically recognises people, places, and objects within their images.
By learning to organise their visual world, students will not only be able to find memories faster but will also gain a deeper appreciation for telling stories through their images.
Preparation & Flow
For this lesson, students will need an iPad with the Photos app and a variety of photos in their camera roll.
The Endless Scroll Problem (5 mins)
Start with a relatable question: "Have you ever tried to show a friend a specific funny photo but had to scroll for minutes to find it?"
Introduce albums as a way to solve this problem by grouping similar photos together.
Tour of Your Photo Library (10 mins)
Project the Photos app and guide students through the main tabs:
Library: Show how it automatically organizes photos by Years, Months, and Days.
For You: Point out the Memories and Featured Photos sections.
Albums: Explain that this is where they can create their own custom organisation.
The Album Creation Challenge (20 mins)
Challenge students to become photo curators. Their task is to create a new album based on a theme. Suggestions:
"My Favorite Things"
"School Projects"
"Family & Friends"
Guide them through the steps:
Go to the "Albums" tab and tap the + icon to select "New Album."
Give the album a name.
Tap photos from their library to add them to the album. They should add at least five photos.
The Magic Search (10 mins)
Demonstrate the power of the Search tab.
Challenge students to find a photo without scrolling. Have them try searching for:
An object (e.g., "car," "tree," "book")
A place (if location services are enabled)
A person (if faces are tagged)
Share Your Gallery (5 mins)
In pairs, have students show their partner the new album they created and explain why they chose those photos for their theme.
Possible Extensions
Shared Albums: Show students how to create a "Shared Album" and invite classmates to contribute photos for a collaborative group project or event.
From the LearnGrowCreate Team
Main author: Sharon
Attach up to 5 files which will be available for other members to download.