But I Don't Have a Computer Lab!
Using One Computer in the Classroom

These are notes on a presentation given by Donna Ashmus
SouthEast and Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium (SEIR*TEC)

OBJECTIVE:

  • To provide teachers with methods of effectively using a single computer in the classroom
  • To share ideas for further exploration

7 Categories of Classroom Computer Use

1. Administrative Tool

  • Word processor- letters, class notes, quizzes, word searches
  • Test generator
  • Database for mail merges
  • Attendance and grade book
  • Communications- e-mail other teachers, join educational listservs
  • Research tool- educational CDs, Internet

2. Presentation tool(see Display options at bottom of this page)

For teachers:

  • display notes, quizzes, video clips, etc.
  • science/math class to create graphs, charts
  • demonstrate computer basic skills/training
  • review information/drill facts

For students:

  • use with oral reports
  • show multimedia projects

3. Communication station

  • E-mail other students/classrooms (i.e. “keypals”), other teachers, subject experts
  • Quick Cam to take pictures of students or communicate face to face

4. Information station

  • Use CD-ROM encyclopedia for research, pictures, video and sound clips, etc.
  • Use Internet to access libraries, projects, databases, addresses, etc.

5. Publishing tool

  • Monthly class magazine, newsletter, anthologies
  • Classroom journal
  • Ongoing story center
  • Brochure for project
  • Web publishing

6. Learning center

  • Specific content software to reinforce or remediate skills (drill and practice)
  • Use templates for student projects

7. Simulation center

  • Use specialized software to create simulations (i.e. TomSnyder’s software)
  • form teams of students
  • students complete worksheet as they work through the program
  • students make predictions

Issues in the One Computer Classroom

Issue #1- Hardware

  • Placement- do students/teacher have easy access?
  • Portability- can computers be moved?
  • Security- can computers be secured?
  • Display- can computer be seen by all students?

Issue #2- Software
Recommended minimum load:

  • Word processor (Word, ClarisWorks, etc.)
  • Presentation software (PowerPoint, KidPix)
  • Spreadsheet/graphing software (Excel, etc)
  • CD-ROM encyclopedia (MS Encarta, Grolier's, Compton's, etc.)
  • WWW browser and e-mail program

Some content-specific software options:
(note: SEIR*TEC does not promote or support any specific software package or product)

  • Tom Snyder software such as "Europe Inspirer” & “Decisions,Decisions”
  • Follett’s “That’s a Fact, Jack” reading program (5-10 grade)
  • HyperStudio

Issue #3- Internet

  • Print out pages from the web
  • Use WebWhacker to “download” pages… remember fair use policy

Issue #4 Management

  • Use cooperative learning groups (teams)
  • Use mentors, volunteers, parents
  • Create “trained experts” from the students in your class
  • Preplan! Use time on computer wisely
  • Use templates
  • Print out clipart/ fonts from programs students will be using
  • Break project into small parts so students can work on different sections
  • Save work on individual student disks
  • Team with other teachers to borrow and group computers together

Additional Resources:
Great Teaching in the One Computer Classroom
The One Computer Classroom
The Four Computer Classroom
Multiple Intelligences and Technology

Some Display options:
TVator Pro for PC/Mac
Pocket Scan Converter
TView by FOCUS