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Classroom Computers
When students have access to instructional computers and the Internet in their classrooms, projects provide excellent opportunities for developing students’ technology literacy and subject area knowledge. Imagine a classroom where:
- A student who uses a home computer extensively but usually puts forth minimum effort toward schoolwork becomes more engaged with subject area content when given an opportunity to conduct online research.
- A student with no computer or Internet access at home learns to identify credible and reliable Web sites and publishes a well-researched, well-designed newsletter.
- A group of students research a local environmental problem and publish a Web site to raise awareness of the problem and propose a solution.
- A student becomes more engaged in the writing process when allowed to use a word processing application and produces an unusually comprehensive and effective essay.
- A group of students use e-mail and instant messaging to communicate with peers in other countries while researching global climate change.
Strategies for Classroom Computers >
Teachers must employ instructional strategies to ensure that students use classroom computers as productively as possible. Fortunately, a variety of instructional strategies can be effective, ranging from individual work togroup work and centers.
Techniques for Classroom Computers >
When students share classroom computers, teachers must establish rules and procedures to maximize student use of the computers and minimize conflict and disruption. Even with only one computer in the classroom, teachers can employ many techniques to effectively use technology to improve student learning.
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