Promotivia.com

Kids used to go to school and write on chalkboards with chalk that crumbled into white powder, watch filmstrips and 16mm movies, and pass paper notes to each other when they were bored. Now, they write on dry-erase boards and electronic whiteboards, use computers for all kinds of educational activities, watch DVDs projected on a screen, and text each other when they’re bored. Times have changed, and technology has changed too. Kids today are used to seeing things on a screen and interacting with virtually created worlds. They’re much more visually oriented than previous generations.

That’s why schools have rethought how they need to teach kids. Teachers move beyond paper textbooks and design computer games that teach them how to calculate math problems and form grammatically correct sentences. Kids today often learn better if they can see and interact with a subject on a computer like they do with games and the internet at home.

Flash drives in school simplify academics

Many textbooks today do come with CDs or DVDs. But what about using a more versatile type of technology that’s smaller and allows you to write to it? Textbook publishers could supplement their books with flash drives that contain activities, movie clips, pictures, extra explanations, and links to online resources. In fact, a publishing company could sell an entire line of USB drives along with the books that they sell for each subject.

The math flash drive could contain extra problems to work through and pictures of blocks and other objects used to show adding and subtracting. A video clip could show moving pieces of candy to different piles to add and subtract. There could also be links to websites with math games.

The science flash drive could show videos of fun experiments. For example, it could show a scientist combining chemicals to create a bright and colorful explosion. It could show large metal gears turning together to operate a big piece of machinery. Another section could provide instructions for experiments a student could do himself with pictures demonstrating how to do them. For example, it could show how to use magnets and iron filings. There could also be links to exciting science websites like NASA’s kid section and various museums.

CFgear can help to design custom bulk flash drives made to do what you want. They can help a textbook publisher design a custom layout for a particular subject that provides links to the various sections like videos, activities, websites, etc. They can also imprint a logo or text on each drive in up to four colors. It could say the name of the textbook publisher and the subject.

An English flash drive would have example sentences to correct and videos talking about the parts of speech. It could have links to games teaching kids to diagram sentences and play with words.

The possibilities are endless and stop with the creativity of a writer and a teacher. Custom USB drives can help students learn and enjoy more than just their textbooks.

My husband’s profession occasionally affords him the extraordinary luxury of driving and reconditioning some of the world’s finest vehicles. He enjoys this perk but recognizes that even the best vehicles with their high price tags come with low comfort factors. Last week he came home from work driving a black Lotus. It was a sporty looking car with a name that conotates speed, luxury and exclusiveness.

When my dear husband arrived home, he complained about just how uncomfortable this high end bomb on wheels was to drive. He challenged me to get in and sit in the driver’s seat. It didn’t take me long to discover exactly why he was complaining. The kick panel was approximately five inches wide which makes entering and exiting the vehicle a challenge for even the most agile person. Once I pretzelled myself into the driver’s seat, that was just mere inches from the ground, I then realized that indeed this expensive ride afforded the driver very little padding on the seat. Not only was there no cushioning for the tush but the seat width was meant for an anorexic.

Don't I wish I owned it

However, since this high end and high dollar vehicle was entrusted to our care for safe keeping, we thought it would be best housed in our garage for the night. I pushed the garage button on my X10 remote (did you know you can get 6 X10 keychain remotes for the price of one at X10PackageDeals.com? pretty cool, believe me) and we deposited the toy inside the garage for the night. The next morning, my husband had to drive the car approximately one hour south to a dealer and pick up a 2006 Mercedes to drive back. This trip was to be made via the highway. That meant that the driver of the little tuna can was going to feel every pebble on the freeway. Woopee! Just how many bruises can one gain on their backside in one hour?

When my husband arrived home that evening, he expressed his relief at off-loading the Lotus and exchanging it for a ride that offered more than just a high dollar name. Now bear in mind, my husband is only forty years old. He is extremely fit and healthy and can tolerate a pretty good beating but he was certainly rejoicing when he had dumped the Lotus for the Mercedes. He had been fortunate enough to be able to keep the Mercedes over the weekend. Each time he drives it, he make a comment about how nice it rides. The downfall to having such a career is that tomorrow he will probably be driving a beat up Chevy Citation. I suppose the correct cliché would be into each profession a little bomb must drop or perhaps don’t judge a car by its price tag and label.

I love to take a bit of time out of every day and sit down to create.  It’s my break from cleaning, cooking, and caring for children.  Might I say, it’s a much needed break every day!!!  I have got to have that time for the sake of my sanity.

What do I like to create?  Lots of things!  I enjoy scrapbooking a lot.  The other day I made the first page based around our family tree.  I never thought I would scrapbook our family tree, but I do want the boys to have some special pages in their scrapbook telling them about there great-grandparents, grandparents, and probably even their parents.  I want them to have something to look back on later. 

Another thing I enjoy doing is making my own handmade cards.  Cards are a great way to express creativity and share it with others.  I personally love to send my cards in clear plastic envelopes even so that the mailmen and sorters can also enjoy it.  I’d imagine it has to lend some excitement to the normal white envelopes!

There are tons of other things I enjoy creating including stamped 3D items.  I can’t even say what all they are because the list is always growing.  It’s not unusual for friends to hand me something that they think perhaps I can be creative with.  I enjoy taking these items and seeing what I can come up with.  Recently a friend gave me little syrup bottles from Cracker Barrel and I turned them into little bud vases.  You just never know what can be made out of a piece of “trash” until you sit down and give it a try.  I probably would never have thought of using those little bottles if Linda hadn’t given them to me!

I enjoy making all these things enough that I am a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator!  I have been a demonstrator for three years now and just love it!  I love having an excuse to be creative and being able to support what I love to do!  Of course it’s great to have an excuse to get out of the house once in a while too, and I’m not even spending money when I do get out!  Last month I started my own Stampin’ Up! demonstrator blog where I have lots of samples and ideas.  I try to write in it every day and post a sample using Stampin’ Up! products. I  hope you will take a minute to visit my blog and even leave a comment.

If you like to be creative as well you may find you would like to attend one of my stamping events in York County, PA. There is a contact form on my blog where you are welcome to contact me if you would like more information.