Riverdale Middle School

 

The One Computer Classroom

Page history last edited by David Thiberville 1 yr ago

The One Computer Classroom

 

 

 

In the one computer classroom, the teacher creates a schedule where students take turns or have a special weekly time on the computer.  The student on the computer is excused from the work the rest of the class is doing.  There are several ways to set up the computer rotation schedule for the one computer classroom.  One way is to schedule students based on their academic stregnths.  For example, if a student was especially strong in math, math time would be a good time to schedule his/her computer time.  Another way is to rotate students through the computer as a one student "station."  Students rotate according to a posted list.

 

 

Whole Class Management Tips

 

  • Group students in front of the computer in the most comfortable arrangement possible
  • Make sure that all students are able to see the monitor
  • Introduce a web site or software program to the whole class with a projection device before having students access the web site or program independently.
  • Demonstrate how to use a computer application before the students use it independently.  Have students follow along on a prepared job aid they will use when at the computer
  • Demonstrate loading and running a software program
  • Prepare students for what they will be learning and what will be expected of them
  • Give students opportunities to respond to and interact with the computer when appropriate
  • Use a selected web site or software program to serve as a catalyst for a class discussion

 

 

Individual Work Management Tips

 

  • Present familiar concepts.  Choose attitudes/ideas with which the student has experienced prior success.
  • Make sure that the student is familiar with the menu, prompts or special commands before he/she begins the assignment.  This can be done in a large group, with a peer tutor, or by the teacher
  • Be specific about which program the student is to use.  Make sure the student knows where to find directions.
  • Establish a non-verbal signal, such as placing a plastic cup upside down, for the student to get the teacher's or peer tutor's attention without disturbing the others.
  • Establish clear guidelines regarding how long the student is to stay at the computer and which student is to go next.  Teach the student how to use a timer and have a rotation schedule posted near the computer.
  • Be clear and consistent in your expectations regarding the student's behavior at the computer
  • Model the computer project for the class.  Provide a sample of the completed work for the specified project along with a checklist that students can use to check off tasks as they work.  Have students attach the checklist to their completed work.
  • Create a template when teaching a new computer skill.  The students will be able to rotate throught the activity, and the original file will not be lost or altered.

 

 

17 Activities for The One Computer Classroom

1.  Set the word of the day on the screensaver.  You can do this with a Math Problem of the Day or Fact of the Day, too.
2.  Have a student check the weather forecast using http://www.weather.com

3.  Have a student check the school lunch menu at http://www.schoolmenu.com.  Categorize all items into proteins, carbohydrates, or fats.  Enter the

     caloric value of each category everyday into a spreadsheet.  Write formulas to determine calories per meal and for the week.
 4.  Produce a class newsletter.  Have everyone contribute an article or an idea.
 5.  Create a table organizing planetary information.
 6.  Track investments and gather data on gains and losses in stock performance using a spreadsheet.
 7.  Create a classroom book review database.
 8.  Run in place for two minutes.  Collect data on your heart rate in one-minute intervals to graph your recovery rate.

 9. Go to the National Geographic website at http://www.nationalgeographic.com.  Gather information about endangered animals, habitats, etc.  

     Create a database with this information and print reports.
 10. Divide students into groups of three.  Have them brainstorm a topic and organize their thoughts using software such as Inspiration.
 11. Have students use draw tools in Word to create mind maps about causes of the American Revolution.
 12. Create a travel brochure on a country using Word or Publisher.
 13. Create a PowerPoint presentation on your favorite career.
 14. E-mail an expert about how the flu mutates.  Try http://www.askanexpert.com to find an expert in any subject area.

 15. Listen to a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Neville Chamberlain, or Franklin D. Roosevelt by going to the audio interactive site

       http://www.webcorp.com/sounds/index.htm.
 16. Write 30 sentences using Word.  Allow each student to select on sentence and highlight adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs in different colors.
 17. Have a student keep a class journal on the computer.  Anyone who is absent can check what he or she missed the next day.
 

 

 

 

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