Digital Story

Question: 4

In your professional opinion...would a digital story be more beneficial if the teacher made one to teach something? Or if the students made them about something?

I think it would be significantly more beneficial for the student if the student made the digital story about something instead of the teacher. The reason for this being that as the student is making the digital story he is also learning about the topic, doing research, providing him with a hands on learning experience. Also, the student is not only learning about the topic as he is creating the digital story, but he is also learning more about technology and how to use it.

Pictures

One of the things we have been learning in technology class is about pictures. So here are just some fun pictures and ideas of maybe a lesson that can be taught using these pics. Enjoy!

There are many different ways that this picture could be used in a classroom. The main, and most obvious way I think is a lesson in science on plants and flowers. You could easily teach about the different parts of a flower, and what flowers need to grow and survive. You could even use Jing to point out the different parts of the flower. 

Another subject it could be used for, which is not as obvious, is writing. Show the students the picture and have them write about it. Maybe for a creative writing assignment, have the students write a story about the flower from the perspective of the flower. What would life be like as a flower. They can use the facts that they have been learning about in science class to come up with a creative story. 

Smartboards

Question 2:

Do Smartboards make smart students?  Do Smartboards create more effective teachers?

I think Smartboards in and of themselves do not in any way make students smarter, however, I do think that if used effectively they can like any other tool contribute to the success of a student and aid in his learning. The Smartboard is merely a tool to use in teaching. I think a student can be just as smart and learn just as well without the smart board as with it. 

The same thing is true with creating more effective teachers. I think the teacher can be just as effective with a Smartboard as without. It is a tool that can aid the teacher in effectively communicating a message to her students, but there are many other tools that do the same thing. 

Reading Language Arts

For the next few months I will be posting various academic questions, and then giving my answer, please feel free to comment with your thoughts as well.

Question to Ponder:

How is Reading Language Arts different today than when you had it?  Did you have technology in elementary school or was it more traditional?

I was never actually ever taught phonics or reading or anything like that in the school setting. From what I remember, my mom taught me everything at home, and the rest I just picked up on my own. I don't remember learning language arts much. I started Kindergarten over in Sweden at an all Swedish school, so naturally there would be no English phonics taught there, at least not at the beginning. I do remember, though, having an English class, but by that time I was able to read and write because I would go and read a book while the rest of the class learned English. 

I don't remember ever having technology in elementary, except maybe to watch a movie or listen to music while we worked. Most of my elementary experience was very traditional. I don't remember much about it at all. 

About Me

My name is Kari, and I am a senior at Appalachian Bible College. I am in the Elementary Education program and someday hope to teach overseas.

I am a born again believer saved by God's grace alone. I am daily striving to serve God and to grow to be more like Him. My future is in His hands, and I am excited to see where He will have me serve Him in these next few years. 

Philippians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast."