Testing season is upon us and computer lab time may be limited due to online testing requirements. To ensure students still have access to computer enhanced grade level curriculum, find ways to incorporate that one computer (or few) within your every day instruction.
That single computer in the classroom may be used for whole class instruction, group activities or individual use. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Any of these activities described below may be interchanged to fit the format that best fits your class.
Whole Class
Teachers may be the model using the technology, or may assign a student to "drive" the activity. Ideally, these activities should be projected on the screen for all students to see. However, if unable to project the computer screen, they may be completed on the computer and then reported out or printed for the class.
1. Use a word processor or other online tool for brainstorming sessions during pre-writing
or other projects. Mind map online tool: Popplet
2. KWLs. Use the table feature in a word processor with three columns or a spreadsheet
to complete this activity.
3. Look up and record the weather forecast. (The Weather Channel)
4. Locate places of study using Google Maps.
5. Review historical events on History Channel's "This Day in History" website.
Group Activities
This setup is easily accomplished through centers and having one center designated for a computer activity. The center may be a singular activity or one of several related center activities.
1. Research information on a given topic. Provide a website(s) and a graphic organizer
to help students locate information in a timely manner.
2. Students work together to create a presentation on the given topic. Assign roles
to students (e.g. writer, keyboardist, designer, researcher, editor)
3. Watch a related video. Provide an organizer for note taking. Example: How It's Made.
Students work together to outline steps demonstrated. Click here for a premade activity.
4. Create an information graphic using an online tool such as Easelly which provides
templates to get you started.
5. Create a comic to illustrate a point of view on a topic or story. Make Beliefs Comix!
Individual Projects/Assignments
Create a schedule, use popsicle sticks, or some other organizational technique to move students through a computer center. These projects should be short quick ones that all students are able to complete within the week.
1. Keep a reading journal. Students type in titles of books they have read and write a short
summary of the book for others to review.
2. Add captions to pictures related to content being studied using a Word Processor
or publishing program.
3. Make a graph by using Excel or other graphing tool from collected data.
4. Make a greeting card for a special occasion or use a greeting card
template to make a "booklet" about a person or idea. The outside will be the topic
and the inside contains related information.
5. Create contracts for students to complete tasks on interactive websites.
Click here to see an example of a money contract.
That single computer in the classroom may be used for whole class instruction, group activities or individual use. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Any of these activities described below may be interchanged to fit the format that best fits your class.
Whole Class
Teachers may be the model using the technology, or may assign a student to "drive" the activity. Ideally, these activities should be projected on the screen for all students to see. However, if unable to project the computer screen, they may be completed on the computer and then reported out or printed for the class.
1. Use a word processor or other online tool for brainstorming sessions during pre-writing
or other projects. Mind map online tool: Popplet
2. KWLs. Use the table feature in a word processor with three columns or a spreadsheet
to complete this activity.
3. Look up and record the weather forecast. (The Weather Channel)
4. Locate places of study using Google Maps.
5. Review historical events on History Channel's "This Day in History" website.
Group Activities
This setup is easily accomplished through centers and having one center designated for a computer activity. The center may be a singular activity or one of several related center activities.
1. Research information on a given topic. Provide a website(s) and a graphic organizer
to help students locate information in a timely manner.
2. Students work together to create a presentation on the given topic. Assign roles
to students (e.g. writer, keyboardist, designer, researcher, editor)
3. Watch a related video. Provide an organizer for note taking. Example: How It's Made.
Students work together to outline steps demonstrated. Click here for a premade activity.
4. Create an information graphic using an online tool such as Easelly which provides
templates to get you started.
5. Create a comic to illustrate a point of view on a topic or story. Make Beliefs Comix!
Individual Projects/Assignments
Create a schedule, use popsicle sticks, or some other organizational technique to move students through a computer center. These projects should be short quick ones that all students are able to complete within the week.
1. Keep a reading journal. Students type in titles of books they have read and write a short
summary of the book for others to review.
2. Add captions to pictures related to content being studied using a Word Processor
or publishing program.
3. Make a graph by using Excel or other graphing tool from collected data.
4. Make a greeting card for a special occasion or use a greeting card
template to make a "booklet" about a person or idea. The outside will be the topic
and the inside contains related information.
5. Create contracts for students to complete tasks on interactive websites.
Click here to see an example of a money contract.