The One Computer Classroom

February 2, 2009 @ 3:29 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Unfortunately, with the big push to develop our students into 21st Century Learners, we still have classrooms that only have one computer. Obviously this is not an ideal scenario, but there are ways to get around it. It may take some creativity, patience, and modeling but it can be done. I promise! Below are my top ten strategies on how to use technology with your students, even if there is only one teacher, one computer and 30+ students.

  1. Make sure the computer is easily accessible to yourself for whole group instruction and for your students, including small groups. Also consider making the monitor viewable from anywhere in the room so you can monitor student activity at all times.
  2. Discuss and model your expectations of your students when they are working on the computer. As a class you may want to brainstorm a set of rules that must be followed and then post them near the computer station for easy review.
  3. Provide handouts (with screenshots when possible) to your students when learning a new skill or reviewing a website on the computer. This will allow students to use the handouts when they’re working independently and may ease their frustration level.
  4. Use a projector to display content onto your overhead screen/whiteboard so that all students are able to see what is being covered and can “see” what you’re talking about.
  5. Create centers so that as students rotate through them, they will have the opportunity to visit the computer.
  6. It is important that all students are given the same amount of time on the computer so you may want to create a schedule for your students and use a timer to signal the end of a students’ work time.
  7. All work must be completed prior to a student working on the computer to maximize their computer time. If a student is “making it up” as they type, than valuable time is being wasted so switch that student with another student on the schedule until they are ready to use the computer.
  8. Use cooperative learning strategies in your lessons to allow for small groups to work on the computer. You may find it useful to assign jobs within the group to avoid any arguing amongst group members. Rubrics are also ideal to make sure students are using their time wisely. RubiStar is a great site to generate rubrics on a variety of topics, including cooperative learning rubrics.
  9. Assign each group to a certain day of the week where they will use the computer while the rest of the class works on an alternative assignment.
  10. Identify “experts” within your class that can assist students that need help on the computer as to not interrupt your teaching. There may be times where you’re teaching or working with a small group and instead of having a student sit at the computer, doing nothing because they don’t know what to do, your class “experts” can assist the student and get them back on track.

Still want more ideas? Here are some additional links:

Since this is an issue that a lot of classrooms are facing in this day-and-age, I hope that some of you have been able to take away some tips that you can implement with your own classes. If so, I’d love to hear how things went!

 

So, my question to you is this: How do you cope with a one computer classroom? What advice can you give to fellow teachers that are in your same predicament?

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