Keep records, manipulate information, produce individual letters to parents.
Produce a class newsletter.
Create customized follow-up work for lessons.
Make personalized certificates of achievement.
Create customized graphic organizers and direction sheets.
Create charts, student lists and name tags.
Communicate with other professionals and subject experts via email.
Tips:
Use Stationery and Template files in the Global Shared File
Use spreadsheets for class lists and charts
Use database for student information
2. Use the Computer as Multi-Media Chalk Board or Flip Chart:
(whole class on TV monitor or overhead or small group on the computer monitor)
Reading groups: draw story webs, have the computer read vocabulary words
Demonstrate concepts: for example, add descriptive words to a sentence
or rearrange the sequence of words in a sentence to change the meaning.
Record information from a group brainstorming session that introduces a
new unit.
Demonstrate writing or editing skills.
Demonstrate Math concepts (ClarisWorks) (Graph Club)
Color text for exploring, or critically evaluating written material
Color text for demonstrating patterns and devices in poetry (check out
poetry sites in Global Shared folder: !Web sites)
Spreadsheet for graphing simple survey information
Live access to a selected Internet site to enhance discussion orillustrate
a point.
Live access to a selected Internet site to retrieve authentic data
Tips:
Connect computer to TV scan box
Connect computer to projector
Pull authentic text from the Internet to Illustrate points
- For example: CNN news stories for educational purposes:
http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/cnn/education/education.html> Use Macros to expedite steps in a demonstration
Involve students to enter some information or control the mouse
Use ClarisWorks Paint to illustrate points where you need to erase
parts of a picture. (line of symmetry)
Use ClarisWorks Draw when you want to easily rearrange, resize or duplicate
objects or pictures.
Use ClarisWorks Spreadsheet for plotting graphs that change as you
enter data.
Use ClarisWorks Spreadsheet for two lists side by side.
Lock graphics in Venn diagram or other graphic organizer before entering
text.
Use ClarisWorks slide show to show sequence or add details
3. Have Students use the Computer as a Tool for Individual Input as Part
of a Larger Group or Class Project:
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 on type of sentence, for example, a topic sentence,
and use this information for a class discussion on that type of sentence.
news article facts
continuing story
group or class email letter
Enter personal information or opinions in a spreadsheet and then graph
the whole classÕs responses
Tips:
Use any word processing program
Use a database or spreadsheet that can be resorted for class discussion
or sharing with another group.
4. Use the Computer as Learning Center or Station:
guess the word (copy, speak and change to picture) (KidWorks 2)
Tanagrams
Use an atlas or encyclopedia: find some type of information such a six
rivers in Africa or Go to CIA World Fact Book with a Scavenger hunt worksheet.
Use one component of some commercial software that goes along with your
curriculum topic (Use a worksheet to direct student use.)
Calculator in math to check work
Spell checker during writing times
Thesaurus during writing times (Writing Center) (ClarisWorks)
Rhyming dictionary during poetry writing (see poetry sites in Global Shared
folder: !Web sites)
alphabetize a list
Database of characters in literature books (can be entered by individuals
or small groups): list traits and then use the database to compare two
different characters from different books. Have students write a paper
describing which one they would like to have for a friend and why.
Tips:
Use either a time or a defined task to determine the length of a childÕs
turn at the computer.
Construct a chart or database to organize which students have had a
turn on the computer
Use the computer with manipulatives or worksheet.
Assign 4-6 students as ÒHelpers or MonitorsÓ to assist
children who are working on the computer, so that the teacher is not disturbed
when a student has a question related to the operation of the computer.
Internet site of factual information or current event related to literature
book. (Iditarod)
5. Use the Computer as Cooperative Learning Tool:
(Use for writing, organizing, synthesizing, brainstorming, comparing, contrasting,
etc.)
group story (setting, characters, plot, ending)
enlarge, double space and print written work to be edited by a partner
Sequence, compare or categorize lists (Use authentic data from the Internet)
poll the class on a topic and make a graph and compare results
Tips:
Assign roles related to computer use: typer, mouse operator, leader, timer,
reader, editor, spell checker, etc.
6. Have Students Use the Computer to do Individual Work for Practice or
Assessment:
(one childÕs work visible at a time either by using separate files
or a data base)
Correct a sentence
practice typing a pattern
type part of a final copy for a project - for example: the bibliography
or outline for a research paper
Take a quiz
Tips:
Children sign into AtEase under their name and save work in their own folder
or group shared folder.
Use Stationery and Templates
Database of class with place for each child's work
Use automatic features such as bibliography in Student Writing Center
or the Outline feature in ClarisWorks.
