Where Does it Fit; How
Does it Fit?
A common question
deals with just how the computer effectively fits into the
classroom and where physically the computers should be located.
Consider the following.
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In this scenario, the
computers are located in a computer lab connected to the
school's network somewhere else in the building. Computer use involves students and teachers
leaving the classroom at the appointed time and moving to
the lab. Once there, there is a computer devoted
exclusively for each student.
Located in the lab is a suitable
printer and perhaps a display device connected to an
instructor's computer.
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| In this classroom, a
single computer sits at the rear or the side of the
classroom. As students finish their deskwork, students
are allowed to use the computer independently. The software that is loaded on this computer
is generally selected by the classroom teacher although
others may have made recommendations as to what should be
installed.
Another heavy use of the computer
is the encyclopedia which sits ready as a resource for
this classroom.
In some cases, this computer may be
connected to the school's network.
|
 |
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In this classroom,
there are three or four computers attached to the
school's network that have software installed that is
always related directly to the curriculum being taught. Students often work in centres. One centre
is the computer centre where computer activities related
to the theme being taught are featured.
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Which scenario is
best? Consider the following questions.
- How do I introduce and
daily reinforce the techniques of Almena keyboarding to
my Grade 4 class?
- Which setting best
promotes cooperation among students?
- How do I observe
student computer performance?
- How do I ensure that
student use of the Internet is appropriate?
- Does the access to
computers allow for student-led electronic or multimedia
presentations?
- The current writing
project calls for a perfect, proof-read printed copy. How
do I ensure that all students are given the opportunity
for success? What do I do when my students are ready at
different times?
- My software is
multimedia and many of the instructions are voice
synthesized by the software. What challenges does this
create for each scenario?
- How do I ensure that
there exists equity of access for all students, all
classes to the computer technology?
- Given that computer
access is a limited commodity, how can we maximize
"time on computer tasks" for all students?
- Is there another
scenario or a combination of the above scenarios that
would work better?
This list is certainly not
inclusive. However, it does provide a starting point to answer
the commonly asked questions about where and how computer
technology is best used in the classroom. What further questions
do YOU have?
(dp)
