OnlyOneComputer

=﻿But I only have ONE computer!=

Only having one computer in your classroom is no longer an excuse to not integrate technology into your classroom.
==In the article "How to Thrive--Not Just Survive-- in a One-Computer Classroom"you will find management strategies that work, as well as some activities for the class to do.==

*Use as a resource center




The following is from [|Travis Unified School District]in Fairfield, CA

 Many options for scheduling are available. Choose a scheduling strategies based on how your classroom schedule is currently setup. Most projects will be group or class project with the work divided up and placed into the same presentation.
 * Assigned Time - If you have your day structured in larger thematic blocks of time (for example 90 minutes for Language Arts, 60 minutes for math, history, or science) this strategy may work for you. Generally, when you schedule large blocks of instructional time, instruction will take place all at one time, near the beginning of the block. Groups will be working on different things, while you move around the room, helping and guiding as needed. One of these groups would be computers, where children are working on a project.
 * Group in mixed ability groups
 * Chose group names
 * If an individual activity is assigned, students take turns at the computer based on who is prepared and ready with their research.
 * If a group activity is assigned, each student is responsible for one aspect of the project.
 * Each group will have computer time during the same block but on different days. In this way, other work is still being completed, students are not "missing out" on worksheets or instruction.
 * Fox example: You have a Language Arts block of 90 minutes daily. Students are working on a book report as part of their L/A assignment, only this time you would like the report to be done with illustrations using multimedia software.
 * After the "lesson" has been taught on grammar, reading, writing, or whatever students will be working on that day, they will then begin their small group activities based on the assigned tasks. One group's task on Monday is to work on the book report using the computer. (If they have not read the book or taken notes, they do not yet use the computer.)
 * Groups are rotated daily giving each group an opportunity at the computer during each block throughout the week.
 * Hang a string with a paper clip over the computer area. Attach different color sheets of paper as it is time to rotate groups. This only works if your group names are colors! A student could be responsible for changing the sheets at the appropriate times.
 * Equal Access to computers can also be an issue. Perhaps use Popsicle sticks with the student's names and two jars. One jar is labeled "NOT YET" and the other "BEEN THERE" or some other name. As students go to the computers, they move their sticks from one jar to the other.
 * Simply schedule computer time around your "teaching" time. Post a chart indicating the time frames throughout the week that different groups can visit the computer. The only exception is when you are actually in the "teaching process".
 * Create a poster chart with two large columns and enough clothespins for each student. Label a clothespin with each child's name and place it on the "NOT YET" side. After the students have been to the computer, they move their clothespin to the "BEEN THERE" side. On the 'been there' side of the chart, list the other activities students should work on.
 * Free Computer time could be organized with a Sign-Up Sheet. If someone was absent, or the computer crashed, or needs more legitimate time on the computer, they could sign up. The teacher would determine the priorities for work over play time on the computer.
 * Hold a Class Meeting- this works well for upper grade students. Sometimes, the students come up with great ideas on how they can use the computer equitably and still get other class work finished.