This digital artifact folder from a student named Michael Jones contains information on building a positive school culture and effective teaching techniques. It includes images and descriptions of using scaffolding instruction to build on students' prior knowledge, displaying student work to improve school culture, and designing classrooms to maximize collaboration. It also analyzes videos that demonstrate both engaging teaching methods like interactive polling and less engaging traditional lecturing. The folder provides references for all images and videos used.

1. EDUC 430
Digital Artifact folder
Michael Jones

2. Background
Knowledge
This picture represents students’ background
knowledge or “foundation”.
Before scaffolding instruction, it is important to
use your students’ background knowledge as
your starting point of instruction
”Elevated Building Foundation," © 2008 Shustov, used under a Creative Commons
Attribution-via Wikimedia Commons from Wikimedia Commons:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AElevated_Building_Foundation.jpg

3. Scaffolding
Scaffolding is an
important teaching
technique used to build
upon students’
foundation of
knowledge.
”Athens – Temple on Athena," © 2009 Giovanni Dall'Orto, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-via Wikimedia Commons from
Wikimedia Commons:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3A2499_-_Athens_-_Temple_of_Athena_Nike_being_restored__Photo_by_Giovanni_Dall'Orto%2C_Nov_11_2009.jpg
This picture represents
building from the
foundation
upwards, much the
same as scaffolding in
the classroom.

4. Positive School Culture
Culture is a critical aspect
affecting student
learning.
“Welcome Sign,“© 2013 Michael Jones
A school that can make
students feel
welcome, safe, and
accepted enhances
student productivity and
positive attitudes.
“Student Welcome Sign,“© 2013 Michael Jones

5. Culture continued
“Student Work,“© 2013 Michael Jones
Displaying and
celebrating student
work can make
students feel proud of
their work and
improve school
culture.

6. Culture continued
“Culture in BJHS,“© 2013 Michael Jones
Part of creating culture is creating a school where
everybody feels accepted and welcome as part of the
school community and family.

7. Culture and History
“Culture in History,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“…culture captures a deeper meaning embedded in the history
of that environment” (Stolp & Smith, 1995, p. 21)

8. Classroom Architecture
Group Classroom,“© 2013 Michael Jones
Classrooms that have groups of desks or tables maximize the opportunity
for student-student interactions and group learning.
When classrooms have visually appealing billboards or posters, it is more
comforting to students and improves culture.

9. Classroom Architecture
continued
“Rows,“© 2013 Michael Jones
Classrooms with rows of desks make student-student interaction more difficult.

10. Gymnasium Architecture
A brightly lit gymnasium with murals
and banners on the walls creates an
excellent environment to learn in a
physical education class.
“Gymnasium,“© 2013 Michael Jones

11. Student and Teacher Interaction
Student led groups that meet daily and include a teacher promote
student and teacher interaction.
“Student Groups,“© 2013 Michael Jones

12. Good Teaching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPvNqJ0Ne60
In this clip, Darrell McClendon uses a technique called “handshake Q&A”.
This technique is an effective way to not only test students on already
covered material, but also to make a personal connection with them
through a handshake and eye contact every day before class.

13. Good Teaching continued
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3brjHfb5Y4
Teachers at SFU use software such as “Poll Everywhere” to effectively manage their
time in the classroom by gathering student opinions instantly using technology.
This is an effective time management tool and keeps students engaged in the lesson.

14. Good Teaching continued
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhiCFdWeQfA
This clip from the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” demonstrates a
more traditional style of teaching. This lecture style of teaching is not
highly effective. Many students are not engaged in the activity. This
teacher needs to attempt to make class more interesting and make
personal connections with his students.

15. References
Pictures used From Wikipedia Commons:
Pictures Taken by Michael Jones (me):
”Elevated Building Foundation," © 2008 Shustov, used under a
Creative Commons Attribution-via Wikimedia Commons from
Wikimedia Commons:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AElevated_Buildi
ng_Foundation.jpg
“Welcome Sign,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Athens – Temple on Athena," © 2009 Giovanni Dall'Orto, used
under a Creative Commons Attribution-via Wikimedia
Commons from Wikimedia Commons:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3A2499__Athens_-_Temple_of_Athena_Nike_being_restored__Photo_by_Giovanni_Dall'Orto%2C_Nov_11_2009.jpg
“Student Welcome Sign,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Student Work,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Culture in BJHS,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Culture in History,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Group Classroom,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Rows,“© 2013 Michael Jones
YouTube Videos:
“Gymnasium,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Classroom Management Tricks of the Trade: Handshake
Q&A”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPvNqJ0Ne60
“Student Groups,“© 2013 Michael Jones
“Engagement in the Classroom: Interactive Polling”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3brjHfb5Y4
Stolp, S., & Smith, S. C. (1995). Transforming School Culture:
stories, symbols, values, and the leader's role. Eugene, Oregon:
ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management.
“”Anyone, anyone” teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhiCFdWeQfA
Quotes: