The One Computer Classroom

Presentation Tool

Presentation Tool | Tool for Class Project | Resource Center | Tool for Group Project | Tool for Teacher

Classroom Management:

With large screen projection, use the computer for whole class instruction or student presentations. Without large screen projection, use the computer as a presentation device for small groups.

Ideas:

Illustrate an idea or concept:

Class discussion:

  • Use colored text to illustrate parts of speech, patterns in poetry, important words in a story or math reading problem.
  • Have students enter sentences to correct as a class.
  • Introduce an Internet site for background or information.
  • Show a QuickTime movie or picture that provokes discussion.
  • Record class ideas in a brainstorming session. (Inspiration)
  • Use specialized software. (Tom Snyder)
  • Compose a group e-mail .
  • Explore interactive illusions.
  • Use a Web site that poses problems for class solution.
  • Use a Web site that provides new information daily or weekly.

"Smart" chalkboard:

  • Post assignments.
  • Use Web linked lecture notes.
  • Use a graphing calculator for demos. (Graphing Calculator)
  • Incorporate cool calculators of all sorts.

Hints:

  • Use macros to facilitate demonstrations.
  • Use students to enter data during class discussions.
  • Use a paint program when you need to erase parts of a picture.
  • Use a draw program when you want to rearrange, resize, or duplicate objects.
  • Use a spreadsheet for two column displays.
  • Lock Venn diagrams or other graphic organizers before entering text.

 

 

Tool for Developing a Class Project
Presentation Tool | Tool for Class Project | Resource Center | Tool for Group Project | Tool for Teacher


Classroom Management:

Allow students to alternate one at a time to enter pertinent data. Use a "computer baton" for students to pass from one to the other as they take turns at the computer. In a self-contained classroom, data entry can usually be done in one day. In a departmentalized classroom, it may take more than one day for all students to enter data.

Teach any necessary computer skills to a small group of "student tutors." Rely on these helpers to answer questions about the project. Don't use the same group of helpers every time.

Ideas:
  • Contribute to an ongoing story center.
  • Create a database of student ideas - facts on a given topic, prediction of a story end, story starters, characters in a story, class book reviews, etc.
  • Create a class autobiography book. (All About Me)
  • Create lots of lists - each student adds an idea for discussion. (Inspiration is great for this!)
  • Collect student sentences for discussion.
  • Create a spreadsheet of student opinions or facts to graph and discuss. (favorite ice cream flavor)
  • Produce a class slide show.
  • Add birthday events to a complete an historical time line.
  • Search for answers to class questions .
  • Join a collaborative project.
  • Collect information to contribute to a class multicultural calendar.
  • Get quick information for an ongoing project - historical events, weather, current events, currency exchange rate, or the latest earthquake.

Hints:

  • Keep data entry time short on this type of project.
  • Prepare database or spreadsheet format for the students or have one student prepare for rest of class.
  • Use a "step sheet" to facilitate data entry.

 
Resource Center
Presentation Tool | Tool for Class Project | Resource Center | Tool for Group Project | Tool for teacher

 

Classroom Management:

In a self-contained classroom, set up a rotation schedule throughout the day. Allow students adequate time at the computer to complete the assigned task. Send them to the computer in pairs or alone depending on the assignment. Consider using Friday as a "catch up" day with no regular computer schedule, but rather to provide extra time for students who did not finish or students who were absent. For some projects, some students may be able to do the activity on-line, while others do it off-line. Alternate computer access so that throughout the year, every child gets a chance to do an on-line project.

With an all day rotation schedule, understand that some students might miss directed teaching. Assign all students an "academic buddy." It is the academic buddy's job to relay class information that the student at the computer may have missed. Also make use of "computer tutors."

In a departmentalized classroom, use the resource center for obtaining quick information to be used for class discussion or background set. If students have an assignment to complete, the rotation schedule could take a week or more. Send the students to the computer in pairs or alone. Use the "academic buddy" system and "computer tutors" as outlined above. Also consider the idea of parallel on-line and off-line assignments.

In either a self-contained or departmentalized classroom, be sure to allow discussion or sharing time when all students have completed the assignment. Make the critical links from the assignment to the area of study. Sometimes this is not obvious for students.

Ideas:
  • Use teacher created on-line worksheets - correct a sentence; color maps to answer specified questions; color text to identify parts of speech, rhyming words, or key words in a math problem; etc. (Storyweb)
  • Practice skills. (Spellbound with customized word list)
  • Do journal writing (Student Writing Center)
  • Use a Calculator to check math work
  • Use an on-line tutor
  • Thesaurus for writing
  • Use an on-line dictionary
  • Do Individual research on the Internet or using a CD (Grolier, US Atlas, etc.)
  • Create a brochure for travel to a place studied in reading or social studies
  • Create a business card for a character in history
  • Use a treasure hunt for introduction, research, or practice (Astronomy Worksheet)
  • Wacky Web Tales
  • Do self-checking or quickly checked worksheets. (Plant Parts, Silly Sally, Bathtub, English Punctuation)
  • Practice technology skills with "Step Sheets." (business card directions)
  • Take a quiz.
  • Type spelling or vocabulary words - illustrate if possible.
  • E-mail an expert for information.
  • Plan personal fitness.
  • Play a game!
  • Find answers in a dictionary, almanac, or encyclopedia.
  • Use a meal planner to check out eating habits.
  • Learn key phrases in a foreign language.
  • Use a multiple language dictionary.

Hints:

  • Use a timer to rotate students.
  • Use a simple checklist to keep track of who has completed their turn.
  • Assign 4 to 6 students as "tutors" to assist children working on the computer.
  • Always relate the work at the computer to the class curriculum.
  • Use stationery to create worksheets.
  • Use a database for students to enter work.

 

Tool for Developing Group Projects
Presentation Tool | Tool for Class Project | Resource Center | Tool for Group Project | Tool for Teacher

Classroom Management:

In a self-contained or departmentalized classroom, schedule computer time for each group. Every group member may not need access to the computer. Each group may have an "Internet Jockey" who does the online information gathering while other members do traditional research.

Consider an on-line/off-line method of project development. Rotate use of the computer for group project preparation so that by the end of the year, every student has had an opportunity to use the computer for a project.

Continue to use the "academic buddy" system and "computer tutors" as outlined above.

Ideas:
  • Create a monthly class magazine or newsletter where each group is responsible for a month. (can be developed in AppleWorks, HyperStudio, or Claris HomePage)
  • Do a group presentation - students present information in a slide show, HyperStudio stack, or using a web page (a template may be used to speed up the production process).
  • Represent group collected data with a graph.
  • Participate in an on-line collaborative project .
  • Use an on-line exploration guide to work together to collect information from a web page .
  • Produce a slide show that retells a story or explains important concepts Each member is responsible for a "page" of the slide show.
  • Use the "Building Block" Model from Tammy to create integrated group projects or activities.
  • Use a WebQuest. Seek out other places to provide students with adequate computer time.
  • Collaborate to solve math problems or brain teasers.
  • Participate in on-line group activities.

 

Hints:
  • Assign roles to group members for computer use. Sample roles include: typer, mouse operator, reader, recorder, leader, timer, editor, etc.
  • As much as possible, assign a group product that requires interdependence within the group.
  • Don't expect groups to function perfectly the first time. It takes training and practice.
  • Pair group members with good technology skills with those who are new to technology.
  • Train one person from each group in a new technology skill. Let that person teach the rest of the group.
 
Tool for the Teacher
Presentation Tool | Tool for Class Project | Resource Center | Tool for Group Project | Tool for Teacher
Ideas:

 

Hints:
  • Use the stationery option to make your life easier.
  • Create the student database with as much information as possible and use multiple layouts.