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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Can DPC be for teachers / students?
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 03/27/2025 10:56:37 AM · #1
While I'm not very active on here anymore, it still pulls me in similarly to a social media site. It was vey impactful in my learning process, and continues to be a goal to have my images be seen on the front page.
In the past year, I've been fortunate to have made a career change and am working as a vocational high school teacher, specifically Web and Graphic design which includes photography. In fact, photography is a large part of my class to the point where we have about 20 school-provided cameras so each student can use one at any given time.

Which got me thinking ... Would it be appropriate to get my students on DPC? And maybe promote it to other teachers too?
 03/27/2025 11:06:02 AM · #2
yes, just be very clear about how friend voting is not allowed.
 03/27/2025 11:56:55 AM · #3
What Don said. As long as the voting is kosher... We've had classes participating before.
 03/27/2025 04:26:07 PM · #4
Like most of us, there is a huge amount that can be learned by commenting/voting as well, so I would encourage that commenting/voting also be part of the assignment. Perhaps have them enter photos in Challenge A and then comment and vote on Challenge B, just to keep any bad vibes on other students work in check. As for comments I do not mean "I like it" or "very pretty", but real constructive comments about what they liked and what could be improved.
 03/27/2025 06:12:10 PM · #5
I think it is great for classes (as other’s have said the voting aspect is where it gets wonky) — that said, I would encourage the coders of the site to find a way that people could sponsor a membership for someone as cost may be prohibitive for some and I would never want someone to not be able to participate fully because of money. I know in the past I tried to gift a membership anonymously and it wasn’t possible.
 03/28/2025 08:10:27 AM · #6
All great points everyone.
The price thing is a good point that I hadn't considered. There's zero chance any of these kids would be willing/able to participate in anything other than open challenges due to the cost.

Originally posted by ErinKirsten:
I think it is great for classes (as other’s have said the voting aspect is where it gets wonky) — that said, I would encourage the coders of the site to find a way that people could sponsor a membership for someone as cost may be prohibitive for some and I would never want someone to not be able to participate fully because of money. I know in the past I tried to gift a membership anonymously and it wasn’t possible.
03/28/2025 08:59:18 AM · #7


I learned photography from commenting and entering in DPC.

I think I learned much more about photography from GIVING critiques than from GETTING them (although, of course, getting them is more fun). I learned what I liked and didn’t like about images… learned “my style”.

If they can vote and comment honestly and thoughtfully, I think students might liven the place up a bit!

I enjoyed the classes we’ve had join us in the past.

Perhaps the students will enjoy it enough to earn the $25 for a membership after the class is over.

There might be another Joey Lawrence in our midst soon!!
 03/28/2025 11:10:13 AM · #8
I think the most important thing is this

Have them vote On challenges BEFORE they enter anything. They need to figure out their voting scheme and how it works.

The biggest mistake that people make when they first join the site is basing their voting On what votes they are receiving. My photo is only at 5.5 and it's better than these, so I'm going to give these votes lower than 5.5.

It is hard to give something an eight or a nine, in the beginning, when your photo is getting 4.3. they don't realize that The votes will go up and down from there.

If they vote on three or four challenges before entering, you can then explain that they shouldn't change their voting pattern based on what they're receiving. But then they'll also understand a little bit more about how they vote before they start worrying about what they are receiving.
 03/28/2025 11:56:24 AM · #9
I know I still learn by viewing while voting so I would suggest you introduce them to the site as a voting exercise.
Maybe pick a user challenge for them, discuss the merits, and then ask them to view, comment and vote. Writing comments can be done either directly on the site or on index cards from which you could have a class discussion where the students reveal what they liked (or didn't) and why.

From that, the students might even ask if they can participate! And, I think, having introduced voting while knowing the reason for the number assigned there will be a much greater chance that they will keep the voting fair.

So yes, there's no doubt in my mind that this site could be a very helpful tool to students.

03/28/2025 12:00:54 PM · #10
Another interesting concept would be to rewrite the code and have student accounts where they can enter but they can’t vote but can receive a vote and comment. Because ultimately the challenge in shooting AFTER a topic is announced is where growth can really happen. So many online contests are ‘look through past photo and shoe horn in to a topic’.

Just a thought that requires work on the coding end for sure but could be a good way to grow activity on the sight AND foster a learning atmosphere. WAY more work for sure but it would be nice to see this sight return to its glory.

I am sure there are lots of reasons why this is a bad idea — maybe I need coffee :-)

Originally posted by vawendy:
I think the most important thing is this

Have them vote On challenges BEFORE they enter anything. They need to figure out their voting scheme and how it works.

The biggest mistake that people make when they first join the site is basing their voting On what votes they are receiving. My photo is only at 5.5 and it's better than these, so I'm going to give these votes lower than 5.5.

It is hard to give something an eight or a nine, in the beginning, when your photo is getting 4.3. they don't realize that The votes will go up and down from there.

If they vote on three or four challenges before entering, you can then explain that they shouldn't change their voting pattern based on what they're receiving. But then they'll also understand a little bit more about how they vote before they start worrying about what they are receiving.
03/28/2025 12:19:54 PM · #11
If you can work out the timing you might be able to do a fundraiser and get them all a one-month membership for $5/each.
 03/29/2025 09:18:10 AM · #12
Originally posted by GeneralE:
If you can work out the timing you might be able to do a fundraiser and get them all a one-month membership for $5/each.


I'd rather keep that area to ourselves until we find out how they will interact.
 03/29/2025 01:36:46 PM · #13
Originally posted by Lydia:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
If you can work out the timing you might be able to do a fundraiser and get them all a one-month membership for $5/each.


I'd rather keep that area to ourselves until we find out how they will interact.

Point taken ...
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