How's Your Day? Archives

Teaching Tools? To me that would mean text books, pens, pencils, whiteboards, dry erase markers and a few (non-electronic) demonstration pieces. For older children (Jr. High & High School) I can see the need for audio and video systems on occasion (watch famous speaches, see famous events, etc.). But I'm amazed at how much tech. teachers think they NEED. It even works its way into Sunday School. When I taught SS, I had a simple plan I used every week:
1) Pray with and FOr the kids. I used a prayer request approach and asked each kid if they had anything to pray about. You'd be amazed at what kids will want to pray about!
2) Read and discuss the weeks bible passage. I was teaching kids old enough to read (3-6th grade range). For younger kids, you can tell the story and use BASIC props.
3) Play a game (assuming the kids are well behaved). While it's good to have the game somewhat related to the lesson, it's really for having fun and developing the relationships between the kids. Some teachers would gospelize the games so much the kids weren't having fun - I never found this to teach anything and typically just makes the kids cynical.

 

My biggest gripe is that we throw technology at teachers without ever showing them how to effectively use it. Sure, all those whizbang features on that smartboard are nifty, but if you're just using it as a $1500 overhead projector, why not invest in a nice cheap set of transparencies and spend that extra grand on a few new desks?

The other thing that just chaps my butt about technology in schools is this reliance we have on teaching kids how to put together half-assed powerpoint slides and the misguided notion that Microsoft (or Apple) is the end-all/be-all of technology. Sure, 98% of computers in the world run M$ or Apple, but the point shouldn't be training these kids to use the product, it should be about training them to produce the document. In 10 years, office suites and OS's probably won't even half resemble their current form, and the kids that only know Powerpoint are going to have a hard time adjusting to whatever package is the flavor of the month. Good tech should be nearly invisible. You don't have to spend months teaching a child to use an ipod--they pick it up in minutes, and word processing, spreadsheeting, and presentations should be the same way. Of course, it's not, because we aren't teaching them the concept, we're teaching them the tool.

 

well, that's the problem in general with the public [slash]indoctrination[/slash] education system...teach the kids what to think (as in memorizing for a test) instead of how to think.

....I'm not taking the bait to rant again, though (mainly cuz I don't have time at the moment )

 

Three pairs of handmade earrings from Melissa = Micah's wife, made for BG arrived today and they look great!

 

Very cool earrings. But they just won't go with my complexion. Actually... nobody in this household wears much jewelry. I wear a watch. Wife wears wedding ring... (mine needs re-sized and has been sitting in a box for a few years) that is about it.

Sad sad sad... daughter is removing Laurie Berkner and other fun young kiddo music and putting the elf/gelfling known as Taylor Swift on her MP3 player. The kiddo is getting older....

 

well, just finished running sound here for the Texas Boys Choir. Job very well done, fellas.

as a plus, the did the "John Williams is the Man!" piece! :happy108
(sadly, I was the only one not in the choir to know what it was, what it referenced, and the melodies....buncha old folks )

now, to clean up and shut down, and finally go home and eat

 

didn't you read Micah's link from earlier? GET THE TEAL, MAN! Teal goes with (digital) skin tone! :happy097

 

Kiss your weekend goodbye.

1 button--the jump button. See how far you can run before you hit a mine or fall to your death.

Stupid fun.

http://www.adamatomic.com/canabalt/

 

:angry019

[slash]I've got[/slash] I had painting to do this weekend!

 

I have the portable version on a flash drive. So much for "lunch breaks".

 

10 yards raked... I feel completely exhausted. However, I managed to get out the GFT rose and enjoy a nice afternoon shave followed up by Royall Llyme. Not my usual choices, but they felt right to use today. Now, to relax a little before suiting up for tonight.

 

is that 10 yards as in, real property, or 10 metric yards?
or 10 square yards?

 

How's Your Day? Nov 15th - Nov. 21st

Other HYD threads give you 4 or 5 days of silly antics. But, not TSD. Here, we give you a full SEVEN DAYS. That's at least two more than this mysterious other place.

Plus, the OP this week include two free random smilies! (yes I just picked them randomly)

:agelic13

:shocked029

 

Don't forget the annual Thanksgiving wet t-shirt contest....

 

so, apparently, according to my Yahoo inbox, I've canceled a boat-load of Amazon orders...

 

yep. I got the same scam in my hotmail inbox. Must say it's pretty shrewd- got me to go check my Amazon acct.

In other news, got a new cell phone today. Went into the store, showed the clerk my dying cell phone, and asked for an equivalent. 30 mins later walked out with a very similar phone. It's the most cost-efficient Samsung they carry. No camera. No teeth of any kind, blue or otherwise. Just a phone. Glad to see they still make them.

 

I don't care about all the fancy options - I need good reception and a phone that lasts. Currently happy with my 3-year-old LG. I do like the camera, it's come in handy a few times. Teeth, music, etc. are just fluff to me.

 

ahhh! perfect!


I need one of these:




and use it for the connection of these:

 

I actually have a phone with a lot of bells and such... but only cause my brother in law was selling his Iphone 3g and my sister told my mom I had asked about it. and she bought it for me. I could be happy with just a plain jane phone........ but I will say that I use the bells and such just fine also.

On another note.. My Dodge is back on the road. Not sure if I mentioned it. I got lucky and found a rebuild kit for the fuel pump for $30 instead of having to pay $200 for the whole module. Only cost me $230 for the repair this time. 200500 miles 10 years old and going strong again,,., go Dakota.


Fuzzy