Tech Wiz on Chalkboards…

I am unable (right now) to pre-order a new iPhone. I am going to upgrade to the new iPhone later this fall. For the most part to take advantage of more memory and the additional graphics capabilities of the new A-12 chip. But, I can’t upgrade right now. I have to wait a couple of weeks due to a few things. From time to time I try a use new programs. I am, as a former teacher, always interested in finding new ways to connect with my audience and those around me learning. Doodly is an interesting application for building fast videos. I made one this morning just playing around. The link to it is here. The teacher/professor reminds me of my father; he loved chalkboards. Mostly, by the time I was old enough to remember, to hang things on.

Dad had three chalkboards in his office. All three were covered with posters and papers. I don’t think I ever saw dad use the chalkboard in his office.  I know I did, but the janitors would always erase the messages I left. When I was first a teacher, I was in an old middle school building (it was a middle school then it was an elementary school, then it was a middle school again. It is still a middle school now). Anyway, my classroom was at the end of the old science hall, so I had four chalkboards in my room. The kids used to get mad at Mr. Andersen because I used to wander around the room using all the chalkboards. It decreased their ability to sleep or lose focus.

I do miss the feel of chalk on a chalkboard.

Grese boards or whiteboards are nice but other than the strange smell most of the markers have; there isn’t that feel of chalk on a chalkboard. Plus, you can’t angle a whiteboard mark the right way to produce a  horrifying sound. “stop that Mr. A” the kids used today, but they were paying attention then! I miss that from time to time.

I suspect if I were teaching today I would have AR stickers all over my room.