Technology in the classroom . . . . there are excellent arguments both pro and con when it comes to the use of technology in the classroom. I am a tech nerd at heart which makes me fall well on the side of pro-technology. We use lots of great new technology on a regular basis. I've long been a fan of Kindle (and Amazon in general). With our homeschool providing us with a few iPads a few years ago and my own smart phone and computer, we have multiple ways to access our Kindle books. For my workouts (which are few and far between) I discovered whisper-sync for Audible and Kindle books. It's been wonderful.
We have lots of fun Scholastic audiobooks in our classroom. I enjoy turning on an audiobook while I step away from the classroom to prepare lunch. It is a wonderful way to infuse literature and provides an easy transition time. Recently, I decided to give Audible.com a try after I was unable to find an audio cd for a book. I was looking for the American Girls series on CD because I had seen them on a homeschool Facebook page. Sure enough, they had American Girls books. It's not that my girls can't read the books independently. It's just that audiobooks are so much fun. There are several studies showing the value of audiobooks for developing reading skills, reading comprehension, and especially expression in oral reading.
I was thrilled to find a few Apologia textbooks on Audibles. I've also found several readers and biographies that we have on our reading schedule. The girls are loving the American Girl Books and the boys are enjoying the Hobbit. I must say there is one audiobook that stands out above the rest. If you only sign up for the trial period (which includes a free title) and never get another book, I highly recommend that you check out the BBC dramatization of the Chronicles of Narnia series. It is spectacularly done. We have thoroughly enjoyed it.
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