How to Use a Computer Effectively in a Classroom
Technology brings new and exciting methods of interactive learning to the classroom. Computers in the classroom can provide powerful educational opportunities, or they can become a distraction. The computer does much more than basic word processing. It's a tool for research, media displays and class presentations. With proper usage, it can enhance a lesson plan and become a measurement tool for learning. Make the most of your classroom technology by learning how to use a computer effectively in your classroom.
Instructions
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Learn computer basics from the school technology specialist or someone you know who understands how computers work. The basics include learning Internet searching, email, printing and working with files. If you plan to use computers for films and video clips, learn how to work the DVD player and how to set up the computer with an external presentation screen.
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Follow the school's policy for record keeping (or grade keeping) on the classroom computer. You could do this by setting up a database file or using a program assigned by your school.
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Communicate with parents and students through email or printed newsletters. Incorporate the newsletter into a class project, teaching the children about design and offering them opportunities to enhance their literary skills.
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Use the computer and an external presentation screen to work with multimedia. Use spreadsheets for graphing, highlight text in a word processor to make a point or to explain editing concepts. Watch videos that complement a lesson.
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Let the students use the computer for online games and quizzes that reinforce their learning. Give the students opportunities to research news articles and other information for class projects.
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Teach the students how to use online encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries and the thesaurus. You could also show them how to use spellcheckers and editing tools in word processing programs.
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Utilize the audio tools on the computer to listen to music clips and audio books. Show the children how they can use the auto audio playback to listen to any text they have written. This helps them learn about the readability of their work and how to pronounce difficult words.
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Educate the students on presentation programming such as PowerPoint or Keynote. You could also use these programs to present a classroom lecture with bullet points and images.
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Track the students progress in reading, math and other subjects by using programs that come with tracking tools.
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