An Guide to Using the Computer Labs

1
An Guide to Using the Computer Labs

• Cynthia Tougas
• Director of Instructional Technology
• New Bedford Public Schools

2
Goals

• Schools will develop procedures for using the
  computer labs.
• Teachers will become comfortable using the
  computer labs with their classes.
• Students will strengthen their technology
  knowledge and skills.

3
School Computer Labs

• All school PC Labs should have
• MS Office Suite
• Word
• Power Point
• Excel
• MS Publisher
• Internet Access
• Laser Printer

4
Creating a Teaching/Learning Environment

• All schools should develop procedures for
  computer lab usage
• Clearly post and communicate agreed upon rules
  for the use of the lab.
• Consider a lab seating chart to encourage student
  computer responsibility.
• Create a teacher sign-up schedule.

5
Creating a Teaching/Learning Environment

• Computer desktops should be kept uncluttered.
• Files should be saved and organized in folders
  such as My Documents.
• Only shortcuts to regularly used programs should
  be placed on the desktop.
• Wallpapers should be simple and consistent to
  make it easier for whole group instruction.

6
Creating a Teaching/Learning Environment

• Labs are shared resources. It is important
  that all teachers and students share the
  responsibility in the care of this equipment.

7
Using the Labs

• Using computer lab with classes
• Think about preparing students for their
  assignments before going to the lab.
• Going over expectations and general directions
• Assigning groups or partners
• Any pre-computer work/drafts should be completed
  first
• Assign seats as you would in the classroom

8
Using the Labs

• Walk around
• To keep students on task
• Clarify information
• Prevent potential problems
• Stop a few minutes before you leave to
• Have students save, print, and return to the
  desktops
• Collect and manage headsets
• Clean up their surroundings for the next class
• Shut down if no one is using the room after you
  (except at NBHScheck with Mr. Edmundson).

9
Student Tech Knowledge and Skills

• Usage can assist students in developing
  important technology skills in the areas of
• Word Processing
• Student Presentations
• Student Publications
• Web Inquiry-related Activities

10
Computer Usage Ideas

• Word Processing
• Reinforcing Vocabulary/Spelling Lists
• Use Story Starters
• Use of primary source photographs to prompt
  student writing
• Student Essays
• Journal Writing
• Reports

11
Computer Usage Ideas

• Word Processing
• Letter Writing
• Create a whole class Chain Story
• Poems
• Haiku, Formula, Name
• Have students use special formatting features to
  identify parts of speech, main idea and
  supporting detail, and vocabulary. Formatting
  features include bold, italicize, underline, font
  colors, and the built-in highlighter.

12
Computer Usage Ideas

• Presentations
• All About Me
• Oral Book Reviews
• Research Presentations
• A Virtual Tour
• Review (Using Game Templates e.g. Jeopardy)

13
Computer Usage Ideas

• Tips
• Presentation projects can be individual, pairs,
  small-group, or whole class.
• Dont forget to plan enough time to view all of
  the presentations.
• Provide students with a template (e.g. the titles
  for each slide they have to create).
• Provide students with a rubric.

14
Computer Usage Ideas

• Tips
• Templates can help students to plan their ideas
  on paper first (storyboard).
• Limit the number of slides, especially for
  younger children.
• When students are first introduced to the
  program, it is best to keep the project small.
• As students become more proficient, they need to
  include a Works Cited slide for
  research-related presentations.

15
Computer Usage Ideas

• Student Publications
• Create a class newsletter or newspaper (real or
  historical)
• Create an informational brochure using collected
  facts (scientific, geographic, etc.)
• Create a book
• Young entrepreneurs create business cards

16
Computer Usage Ideas

• Internet Activities
• Inquiry-based
• Scavenger Hunts
• Open-Response Questions
• Web Quests
• Research Reports
• Electronic Field Trips
• Simulations
• Interactive Sites

17
Web Research

• Research at the elementary level should be
  conducted carefully.
• The preferred method is to have students conduct
  their research using teacher pre-selected sites.
• Pre-screening sites allows students to maximize
  their time using information rather than wasting
  time locating it.

18
Web Research

• Some students may experience problems spelling
  keywords which can lead to problems.
• Students may not have the skills to properly
  evaluate the information found when searching Web
  sites.
• Many of the search results found may not be at an
  appropriate reading level.

19
Web Research

• Many of the search results may lead to sites with
  excessive, distracting, and potentially
  troublesome advertisements/pop-ups.
• If elementary students are asked to search, they
  should be using kid-friendly search engines.
• If students are being asked to search the Web,
  teachers need to be instructing them how to
  search properly!

20
Internet Activity Tips

• Tips
• Try your activity in the lab yourself before your
  students.
• Links you may be able to access at home could be
  blocked at school.
• An additional plug-in installation might be
  required

21
Printing

• Most of the labs have laser printers.
• Please encourage students to click the print
  button only once.
• You might want to have them check with you first
  before printing.
• Consider having a recycle bin located near the
  printer.

22
Printing

• Procedures need to be established regarding toner
  and paper replacement.
• If you are experiencing printing problems, shut
  down the printer, count to 10, then turn it on
  again.
• NEVER pull the power cord directly from the wall
  to shut it down!

23
Final Thoughts

• Consider having students shut off their monitors
  when instructions are being given.
• Students should stay seated, except to retrieve
  items from the printer. (Minimize excess traffic
  to the printer.)
• Students should not be left unattended with
  Internet connected computers (in locus
  parentis).
• All district computers have filtered Internet
  access, but no filter is 100 guaranteed.