Digital Versus Film
Things have come along way since I was at school. There are a lot more choices when it comes to subject choice. When my daughter came home with her subject choices, she was keen to take up photography as she has developed an interest over the past few years being dragged around the countryside with me. Having my hand-me-down Olympus E-300 she has started to explore and experiment with her own photographic techniques.
So, it would be a good choice to reinforce what she is already starting to learn. But my surprise came when I learnt that what they would be taught was film rather than Digital. Sure, the basic principles of photography and composition are going to be the same but once you have learnt the basic that's where it ends.
Perhaps it's a monetary thing? Not everyone can afford a Digital SLR for their children to learn with (I would say that most can't, but perhaps a few can). While you can pick up a reasonable film body and standard lens for around $100 - $200. Regardless of what the reasons are I believe that they are not being taught what is relevant as a photographer today. But, on the other hand film and film development cost are becoming very expensive now.
If the Secondary education system is going to offer photography as a subject they need to make the relevant tools available (camera's computers and software).
You could draw an analogy to computer studies. How many schools use computers running DOS or Microsoft Windows 3.1 in their computer classes?
Film photography won't teach you about the post processing RAW conversion techniques, digital asset management and file archiving strategies. Nor will you learn about colour space (Adobe 1998 RGB, sRGB, etc..) and colour matching techniques. You probably won't learn about white balance or the importance of the histogram.
I do have to question the validity of teachning film when the mainstrem photography profession is now primarily digital.
Don't get me wrong, film still has its place, but it is not mainstream. Film I believe will become a very specialised niche. Schools should be teaching subject matter that benefits the majority of the participants. Not the few who decide to pursue the expensive path of film!