Read this article from Technology & Learning magazine http://techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604984 to find out about one teacher's experience with his class' successful and not so successful computer lab usage. Which of these techniques, strategies and projects do you think you could adapt to your classroom setting? Why do you think some of his less successful lessons didn't work? Do you think a lot of teachers would benefit from sharing similar experiences? How might they exchange this information?
18 comments:
"What Are You Doing in That Computer Lab?", This article offers strong teaching techniques related to the intergration of computer technology in school. I agree with all of them. This website's advertising graphics are very intrusive and annoying. Too many blinking ads.However at least one of its links 'Tate Museum' in the article brought me to a fabulous, and most beautiful website. NALOPKT
Hey Matthew your were right as usual and I do know that NALOPKT means:( Not A Lot Of People Know That).
This article mentions typical mistakes that teachers might make that seem obvious but if you are not prepared, they tend to pop up when you least expect it. I enjoy the comment of using the sandwich technique where students get a preview of the lesson, view the lesson, and then review the lesson. In the article, this is for ELL students however, it could be modified for any populations of students.
I agree with the article in that the teachers need to be prepared in case the lesson in the lab fails. Students can do better using technology as well as abuse the use of technology in lessons. It is up to the teacher and school to monitor their usage in the labs and restrict it to only the lesson at hand. This is also a great resource being that some under privaledged students to not have access to computers at home.
I agree with Michelle in that you have to be prepared to overcome the mistakes that may happen. The commetn about preview, view, and review is excellent. I also agree in that it can be used with all students, not just ELA students.
I agree with Matthew in that it explains the integration of computer technology in schools. They are all great. The teachers just need to keep up to date with the changes that are often made to technology. Students will benefit a great deal by being able to research while attending class.
Kerri thanks for the acknowledgement, you are the best,I certainly enjoy being a classmate of yours, you are very bright and a real positive influence in our classroom. In the matter of not having access to the computer at home, the best we can do is provide our students with the information of where they can go to get access(i.e. the public library for one example).Peace
I found this article to be quite interesting. It is sometimes reassuring to hear that even experienced teachers can make mistakes and not have a back-up plan. This makes new teachers (like me) feel a little better to know that we all make mistakes. One aspect I definitely agreed with was taking students who grasp ideas quickly and asking them to help other students. Sometimes I feel that this can work the best. Children have a way of relating to eachother. Sometimes adults can not bridge that gap.
I really agree with both Keri and Matthew - all the ideas suggested are great! It is good to be aware of such techniques before teaching.
Matthew, I agree - the advertisements on the side of the page were quite distracting! But what did that teach me? To keep that in mind when choosing sites for my own students! If I cannot pay attention and keep getting distracted, what are a bunch of teenagers going to do??
cweisman
I think that one should always be prepared or have a back up plan when going to the computer lab or even just for the classroom if something goes wrong. If one has a back up plan they will always be prepared. Also when you are in the computer lab it helps to look at many different educational sites so that you can come up with many ideas for a lesson plan. There are tons of ideas out there you just have to put yourself out there and have an open mind!
"What Are You Doing in That Computer Lab?" I thoght that this was a helpful article because it might save me from making the same mistakes with my own students. I liked the advise that the author gave about having a backup plan in case of computer failure and I really liked the preview-view-review technique the author explained for his ELL students.
I agree with lynn that asking students who grasp ideas quickly to help other students is a productive use of time and good classroom management.
Computers as "babysitting" devices: in truth I have seen this scenario all too many times!! Not being sufficiently prepared- then having to put out fires???? the question is why does this teacher still have his job.I went back to this website and used the search box on the top right corner of the page, it was very helpful in finding information. It could be overlooked and these are the finer details that we should be pointing out to our students. Peace
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"-Oscar Wilde. I get the point in the context of this quote used here, ____but__I personally disagree overall with this quote. More Peace
I found the "circulating,engaging students during the computer time" a suitable technique for students and teachers to be focused on the lesson objectives.JM
I enjoyed the article, "What Are You Doing in That Computer Lab?". I liked the "Sandwich" technique, where the students get to preview, view and review the lesson. I also agree with the statement that teachers should always be prepared with a back up plan. You never know when something can go wrong - especially with computers. I think some teachers are afraid to use computers because they are not educated in using them. Intergrating computers into the classroom is a must. Students should not leave school without knowing how to use them.
I agree with what Matthew said about the websites advertising graphics being very annoying.
Post a Comment