The One-Computer Classroom
What's
the best way to use the one computer I
have in my classroom?
What
strategies should I use when doing
large group activities with my
computer?
What's
the most effective way to organize
small group activities with only one
computer?
Although many schools
have computer labs, portable laptops, and multiple
classroom computers, many classrooms are still dealing
with a single computer in the classroom. Frustrated
teachers ask, "What can I do with just one computer?"
Let's explore the options:
- One Computer Classroom: The Possibilities
- One Computer Classroom: Across the Curriculum
- One Computer Classroom: Issues
- One Computer Classroom: Links and Resources
The One Computer Classroom:
The Possibilities
As you explore the
possibilities, think about how the computer can be
used. First, brainstorm teacher uses and student uses.
Then consider the range of applications and specific
activities. Teachers can use the computer for
administrative tasks, while students can use the
computer as part of a center or station. Both students
and teachers can use the computer for assessment,
presentation, accessing information, communication,
and production and publishing.
Teacher
Use. Administrative applications include
professional productivity (i.e., letters, worksheets,
puzzles, problem sets, labs, handouts, bulletin board
materials, lesson plans, tests, forms, newsletters,
calendars, reports, certificates, graphic organizers,
and seat charts), data collection (i.e., electronic
gradebook, attendance, student information, and mail
merge), and information board (i.e., announcements,
reminders, class introductions, slide shows: back to
school, open house).
Student
Use. Student applications include using the
computer as a creation tool (i.e., production and
publishing center: email, word processing, database,
spreadsheet, graphics, multimedia) and learning tool
including information center (i.e., Internet, CD-ROM,
video, resources) and activity center (i.e., drill
& practice, problem solving, decision making, and
simulation software).
Both Teachers
and Students. The following activities can be
accomplished as a large group with one computer and a
large monitor.
Assess.
Teachers can develop and direct pretests,
quizzes, post tests, and other kinds of large group
administered assessments. Students can take these
assessments as a large group. Teachers can also check
understanding as they work through a unit.
Present.
Teachers can use the computer to direct the
class's attention to large group instruction that
previews, motivates, provides context, provides
information, illustrates concepts, model san activity,
leads inquiry, demonstrates a concept, stimulates
discussion (i.e., debate, role play), asks questions
(i.e., problem solving, involves students (i.e.,
decision making), and reviews. Students can share
their ideas through presentations (i.e., speeches,
oral reports, multimedia projects, review
activities).
Access
Information. Teachers can use Internet based
information for professional development,
instructional development, and content area
information and resources. Students can access
information as a group including reading and research
from a single large screen using Internet and CD-ROM
resources, as well as resources the teacher
creates.
Communicate.
Teachers can write and receive professional email
including principal to teacher, teacher to student,
teacher to teacher, teacher to parents, and class to
class. They can share professional materials such as
lesson ideas and class projects through email, chats,
threaded discussions, web pages, and listservs.
Students can write and receive group email as a class.
They can participate in class projects such as
ask-an-expert, book buddies, and collaborative data
sharing.
Produce &
Publish. Teachers can lead a group in
production and publishing (i.e., brainstorm ideas,
prewrite, compose, edit, revise, build charts and
graphs, make concept maps, create web pages, build
presentations, and create timelines). Students can
contribute to large group projects (i.e.,, class
magazine, class book, class presentation, timeline,
class journal, creative writing, Inspiration document,
Kidspiration project).
Download a One
Computer Classroom:
Possibilities PDF file for an Inspiration document with a wide range
of ideas.
The One Computer Classroom:
Across the Curriculum
As you explore ways
to integrate technology into the curriculum, start
with reading, writing, and mathematics. Consider large
group activities using your computer and a large
monitor.
Reading.
Use informational websites, fiction websites,
CD-ROM, and presentation software to present reading
materials. Use technology to help students in making
connections, questioning, visualizing, finding
importance, and synthesizing content-area reading
materials.
Writing.
Use word processing, Inspiration, page layout
software, web page builders, reference resources, and
checkers in writing activities (i.e., narrative,
descriptive, definition, explanation, analysis,
classification, comparison, and argument). Use
technology to help students in prewriting, composing,
revising, editing, and publishing various group
written and multimedia products (letter, email, story,
poem, journal, report, lab, translation, caption,
editorial, photo, chart, graph, graph, diagram, music,
sounds, animation, video).
Math.
Use informational websites, calculators,
visual mapping, and spreadsheets to explore math
concepts across the curriculum. Use technology to help
students in calculating, visualizing data, and solving
problems.
Download a One
Computer Classroom: Across the
Curriculum PDF
file for an Inspiration document with ideas for one
computer across the curriculum.
The One Computer Classroom:
The Issues
Using one computer in
the classroom can be both frustrating and fun. There
are issues related to using the computer as part of
large group activities and small group activities.
There are also some general management
concerns.
Large Group
Activities. Large group issues include
connecting to standards, keeping it simple, modeling
concepts, incorporating PowerQuests, exploring
Internet resources, involving students, and
facilitating group activities.
Small Group
Activities. Small group issues include
exploring center approaches, providing effective
support, considering center activities, encouraging
collaboration, exploring scheduling options, building
realistic expectations, and finding help.
Management
Considerations. Management issues include
considering hardware needs, considering timing of
projects, and thinking about equity.
Download a One
Computer Classroom:
Issues PDF
file for an Inspiration document for ways to address
these issues.
The Computer Computer
Classroom: Links and Resources
Lists of Ideas for
the One Computer Classroom
- Using One Computer in the Classroom - explore 7 types of use and key issues
- Strategies and Applications for the One Computer Classroom - strategies
- Ideas for the One Computer Classroom - ideas
- The One-Computer Classroom: Using the Computer with a Projector - project ideas
- Surviving in the One-Computer Classroom - tips for 1 computer and 25 students
- One Computer Classroom - requirements and ideas
- One Computer Classroom - ideas
- Teaching and Learning in the One Computer Classroom - ideas
- Ideas for the One Computer Classroom - ideas
- The One Computer Classroom - ideas
Articles about the One Computer Classroom
- Effective Instruction in the One Computer Classroom
- That's Not a Drinking Fountain or How to Survive in a One Computer Classroom
- Strategies for the One Computer Classroom
Links for the One Computer Classroom
- One Computer Classroom - Links page
Brainstorm
Ideas for the One Computer
Classroom
Use ALPS:
How can I design curriculum, brainstorm
possibilities, and sketch
ideas? to explore activities for your
one-computer classroom.