Computer Teaching Tips
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Borrowed Plans
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This site is set up by a school district in Oklahoma that I do not work for. However, I needed help knowing what skills could and should be taught at what level. Rather than 'reinvent the wheel' I borrowed from this school district. They even include some computer lab lessons that worked very well."
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Let the Teachers Schedule Themselves
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"As a person in charge of our computer labs, the toughest task is scheduling teachers to use the lab. Depending on the day, I am either everybody's favorite or public enemy number one. When teachers want to reschedule, they think that they are obviously more important than any other teacher which can cause a great number of problems.
Last year I spent 40% of all my time working out the schedule with teachers. But now, we installed a scheduling program on our server and teachers sign up at their own time. If they need to change times, they work that out on their own through our teachers' message board. Now, I only get involved when there are problems that we didn't anticipate."
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Problem Solving Projects
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"Have an "Internet scavenger hunt." Put students to work searching the Internet for information. Give them a set of guidelines that will help them stay focused in their search with a time limit. Require that they keep track of the sites that they go to and ask them to collect links that they will be using for their project. They can access sites that provide them with the appropriate information; list postings on various sites to get information from others out there in cyberspace; email directly to sources that can give them information relevant to their project. This is similar to doing a web quest."
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Simulations as Motivators
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"Kids love simulations! I use simulations or games that simulate as learning tools to motivate my students to develop computing skills. It works all the time! It keeps them focused and on task and also provides the immediate feedback that they need in order to feel successful at any of their attempts. I also find that simulations are fun, inexpensive (compared to having students experience something directly), and safe. Most of my simulation software or games are educational in nature and can be used over and over again."
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Students With Disabilities
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"Technology has opened new windows for people with disabilities ranging from blindness and limited vision to lack of motor control. There are so many adaptive devices that are now available for teachers to use with their students and in many ways have become standard. I have used Apple's "Adaptive Firmware Card" wiith my students and it has made the difference in their ability to acheive positive learning outcomes. The card accommodates any switching device, a variety of keyboards, and other input devices. The card also has a built in speech synthesis, allowing for voice controlled key boarding for visually disabled students and a substitute voice for those who cannot speak. There is so much more available. This is just one example."
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Don't Forget Key Boarding Skills
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"It is vital for children to learn keyboarding skills at a very early age. By sixth grade, students should have a command of the key board and should be able to type with proficiency. There are many software applications that provide drills for touch-typing and that provide periodic time testing with immediate feedback. Students will need these skills in order to succeed better at word processing, etc. With key boarding skills at their advantage, students ahve a better comfort level and attitude toward writing assignments. It also takes less time to complete writing activities and serves to empower students more in their ideas."
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Drill and Skill
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"There are a ton of software programs that can be used for drill and practice. I use Word Gallery with my students. It offers a suite of programs that make extensive use of color graphics, music and sound effects, and synthesized speech. Part of the package includes programs that focus on sight vocabulary, spelling, etc. The best part is that it works in several languages including English, French, German, and Spanish. The kids love it!"
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Take a number
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"In the computer lab I often had many kids needing assistance & it was hard to reward the quiet ones and get them all the assistance they needed in a fair, orderly manner. Now I use a stack of numbered, plastic cups for students to set on top of their monitors when they need help. I go in numerical order now so noise is not a way to get help faster. Even kindergarteners know they can watch a classmate or minimize and do something else while they wait quietly. Some of my class leaders know that if they can help, they are allowed to do so as well. They can walk to get a cup and return to their seats without disturbing others."
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"Baby Wipes"
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"Our tech person received a grant and we received 24 brand new IBM computers, new and clean! A veteran teacher of computers decided to have boxes of baby wipes sitting around the lab, so every day before working on our "new and clean" computers students would "wipe" their hands. Our computers are still looking and feeling new and clean, plus the spreading of germs from multiple users has been held to a minimum."