Using technology in the classroom

Recently there have been a number of discussions regarding using technology in the classroom. My personal opinion is that it is a tool, it doesn’t replace good teaching, and the focus must always be learning. Today I tried to incorporate the two in a lesson about Sukkot. I showed the class a video about the Arabah Minim. Then I asked them to each write down questions based on facts that they saw in the video. I showed the video twice. After that I shuffled the papers and gave each student someone else’s questions to answer. Before they answered the questions I showed the video again.

Most of the students came up with at least 10 questions and all the students were engaged in watching the video so that they could come up with their own questions and answer the questions they were given. The four and half minute video incorporated many of the same facts that I would presented in a lecture but I know with 100% certainty that the format in which the same facts were presented was more engaging and therefore I believe in the end the students learned more.

Technology and videos cannot nor should they replace teachers or good teaching but teachers should use these tools to help their students learn.

Wishing you all a Chag Sameach

A Rosh Hashanah Message

Rosh Hashanah is a time of a lot of symbolism. We eat certain foods, we don’t eat other food like nuts, and some have the custom not to take a Yom Tov nap on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Why do we do all of these different things after all we are not a religion that believes in superstitions? I would suggest that the reason can be found in a concept that the Sefer HaChinuch mentions often as to the reason behind certain Mitzvoth. He says that one’s thoughts follow ones actions. So if one is involved in giving of Tzedakah he will begin to not only to do acts of kindness but actual start thinking that way. I believe the same is true with our actions on Rosh Hashanah; we do things so that we will have the proper frame of mind as we enter into Rosh Hashanah, Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment. Perhaps by not eating nuts we will think about the reason behind this custom ,and focus less on the concept of Chet (sins). Therefore even things that we may not do the entire year we do on Rosh Hashanah with the hope that these actions will lead to thoughts that will indeed change the way we think and act for the entire year. In order to get the year off on a proper note I have sent home four divrei torah so that there can be one dvar torah at each meal.

My hope is that through all of our actions and deeds may we all be inscribed for a happy and healthy new year.

Ketiva V’chatima Tova
Rabbi Greenblatt