The Computer as a Teaching Tool

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The Computer as a Teaching Tool

• Kathryn Odell, IT Coach
• Lodi Unified School District
• 712-6364
• kodell_at_lodiusd.k12.ca.us

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Why Bother?

• For your students
• Motivation!
• Access to information
• Gain technical skills
• Higher order thinking skills
• For yourself
• Invest time now to save it later.
• Professional development
• Increased productivity

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Computer as a Teacher Tool

• Communicate with parents.
• Create custom worksheets and assignments.
• Create student lists and name tags.
• Make personalized certificates of achievement.

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Computer as a Teacher Tool

• Keep track of grades assignments
• Send home a weekly progress report.
• Make your report cards.
• Produce a class newsletter.
• Get new ideas.

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Computer as a Teacher Tool

• Communicate with other professionals and subject
  experts via email.
• Use teacher email
• Requesting student email
• Make a class web page.
• Lisa Bartrams page
• Karen Perkins page
• Janet Mattas page
• School City Web Editor training
• Wed. Mar. 31 800-300

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Computer as a Chalk BoardSmall group at
computer orWhole class using a projector

• Reading groups draw story webs, have the
  computer read vocabulary words
• Record information from a group brainstorming
  session that introduces a new unit.

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Computer as a Chalk BoardSmall group at
computer orWhole class using a projector

• Demonstrate writing or editing skills.
• Demonstrate Math concepts
• Equations
• Graphs

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Computer as a Chalk BoardSmall group at
computer orWhole class using a projector

• Color text for exploring, or critically
  evaluating written material

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Computer as a Chalk BoardSmall group at
computer orWhole class using a projector

• Live access to a selected Internet site to
  enhance discussion or illustrate a point.
• Introduce a unit
• Organize a unit for student use
• Live access to a selected Internet site to
  retrieve authentic data
• Answer questions right now!
• To ask an expert
• Share student work with an audience

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Computer as Electronic Scribe

• Lists each student adds one item related to a
  topic that will be used for discussion
• Science topic students type questions of things
  they want to know about a new subject. The
  questions may be used to introduce a lesson.
• Have each student write one type of sentence, for
  example, a topic sentence, and use this
  information for a class discussion on that type
  of sentence.

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Computer as Electronic Scribe

• Continuing story
• Group or class email letter
• Enter personal information or opinions in a
  spreadsheet and then graph the whole classs
  responses

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The Computer as Learning Center Software

• Skills-based software
• Reader Rabbit, Oregon Trail, etc.
• Accelerated Reader or Reading Counts
• Productivity software
• AppleWorks or Microsoft Office
• Presentation Software
• HyperStudio
• PowerPoints and more PowerPoints!
• iMovie
• Living history characters

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The Computer as Learning Center Software

• Free internet sites
• K-8 Subject Toolboxes
• Webquests
• Intermediate example
• Primary example
• Resource list
• Sites you have found
• Requesting sites that are blocked
• Subscription internet sites
• RiverDeep

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The Computer as Learning CenterManagement
Techniques

• Popsicle Sticks and a Timer
• Set the timer for 30 minutes and draw a popsicle
  stick with a student name.
• When the timer rings, that student draws another
  name and resets the timer.
• Cards with students names
• Shuffle after each rotation.
• Computer Schedule
• Pocket Chart

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The Computer as Learning CenterManagement
Techniques

• Tech Tutors
• Two students from your class or an older grade
• Allowed to ask you questions about the computer
• Trained by you for the current activity
• Computer Notebook
• Step-by-step directions for each project

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The Computer as Learning CenterManagement
Techniques

• Classroom modeling
• Model computer project for the week.
• Provide a sample of the completed work for that
  session.
• Provide students with a step by step checklist.
  Have students sign and attach the checklist to
  completed project. Be sure to include a
  proofreading checklist.
• When teaching a computer skill, templates can
  be very valuable. When using a template, each
  student or team can rotate through the activity
  and the original will not be altered or lost.
  This allows for a more self-guided lesson.