Common Computer Structures Computer learning pod:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/technology/tutor/center.htm
http://apps.scholastic.com/swclubs/
Computer lab:
Questions to consider:
Computer Center Activity Ideas
Great ideas for your computer center activities are boundless. At the start of the school year, create scavenger hunts that help students learn to use an application while exploring the features available. This not only helps you learn which students are comfortable with computers (and will make great computer aides), it also helps build student confidence with the applications you plan to use all year long. WebQuests are another fun activity that can be used for most any subject. Create a list of questions for students to answer, then bookmark a list of Web sites for them to use in their search. The Scholastic Web site has several great WebQuests to get you started! Don't underestimate the value of those tried and true applications like work processors and drawing programs, either. Without a lot of software training for students, you can create an unlimited number of activities for virtually any subject. Many favourite activities start with the words: "Draw a picture to illustrate..." or "Write a letter to a friend explaining..."
The activities that you create don't have to be long or involved. In fact, some can be ongoing. One of the activities that students enjoy most is the never-ending story. The beginning of the week starts with a story starter on each of the computers. As students rotate through the center, they each add a paragraph to the story. On Friday, they spend the last period of the day reading the stories aloud. Other ideas include creating illustrations for science terms that can be posted on a bulletin board, typing and illustration sentences using spelling or vocabulary words, or drawing representations of fractions, decimals, or percents. The most important thing is that you give the students an opportunity to share what they've accomplished, which ultimately reinforces the concept of the computer center as a place to learn. And who knows, you might just impress your principal enough to get another computer or two!
Helpful Computer Tips
| Tip 1: |
Write directions for computer activities on index cards or poster board and laminate them |
| Tip 2: | Create activities that correlate to your current studies - you may want to check your teacher's guides for suggestions of related computer activities. Once you come up with great idea, make a note in your subject area guide so that you'll remember to use it when you come to that unit again next year |
| Tip 3: | When it comes to activities for your computer center, start with lessons that can be completed in one session. It helps to give all students a chance to have success with several simple computer assignments before trying their hand at a long-term project |
| Tip 4: | Before assigning an activity try completing the assignment yourself, or even better, find a student to test the activity for you. (Volunteers for this job are never hard to find in my room!) This will let you know if the activity can be completed in the time you've allotted and if your directions are clear. Students have a model to work from |
| Tip 5: | Select a students to be the "Computer Expert" each week. Allow this student to complete the assignment first and then answer any questions that may arise while other students work through the activity. This helps free you from the role of task monitor while allowing your students to become mentors for one another |
| Tip 6: | Agree on a signal that students can use if they need help while working on a task. A favorite is to place a brightly colored plastic cup next to each computer. When students need help, they place their cup on top of their computer as a signal for assistance. Once they've gotten help, the cup is placed beside their computer again |
| Tip 7: | Help students make the best of limited computer time. Organize software, student disks, guides, and/or related resources nearby in a box or on a bookshelf |
| Tip 8: | Use the computer to support your curriculum. There are hundreds of excellent software titles that address specific learning objectives. Look for those that fit your students' needs |
| Tip 9: | Help is just around the corner. Create your own support group. If you and several colleagues agree to use some of the same software, you can share ideas and help each other trouble-shoot. Or, enlist your "techno-kids." Most children love computers and spend hours exploring and problem solving. In the process, they develop valuable expertise. Enlist their help as technical advisors. Let them explore new software, teach you how to use it, tutor classmates, and trouble-shoot. They'll save you time and frustration, and the experience will bolster their self-esteem |
| Tip 10: | Boost your technology learning curve. Take advantage of computer courses offered by your school, district, and local colleges and universities |
Computer Suggestions For student use:
The one computer that is for teacher use (not the same as kids computer) should at least the following (including fonts listed above):
Other programs that should be on all computers in the primary grades are: