Tips


 * Quality Lab Time**
 * Do a 5 minute review of instructions BEFORE leaving your classroom. Things like reviewing how to log into the machine and onto the internet. This will save you talk time in the lab. Students will be able to maximize computer time.
 * Most of your students have an index card with their login information. Give the students their card in the classroom and let them flip over to write down the webpage they will be using in the lab. Or typed up instructions on small strips would be good. Some students were having trouble seeing the board because their computer is too far from the board.
 * Great idea to combine 2 classes and team teach using centers. One group we observed had 4 adults ( 2 teachers & 2 assistants) with 3 stations. 1/2 of the computers did a lesson on keyboarding, 1/2 of the computers did a lesson on research and the students that were left did a lesson with a laptop computer and Smartboard.
 * Team teaching with one of the "specials" teacher is a great idea too. During one of our observations a classroom teacher and the Art teacher teamed up. 1/2 of the kids did a Smart Notebook Math lesson and the other 1/2 did an Art lesson using MS Paint.


 * Quality Use of Classroom Computers**
 * Morning work consists of centers. Two classroom computers were set up for Accelerated Reader, three for Harcourt Math. Students worked on Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, or Harcourt Math.
 * Integrating the use of classroom computers into the normal classroom process allows students to learn what you expect, eliminating problems with classroom management.
 * Teacher has five classroom computers, so she created groups with five students and color coded the groups. Students know where they are assigned (computers, seat work, etc.) by the colored cards.


 * Miscellaneous**
 * **Word Problem of the Day-** Class worked the word problem of the day at the beginning of their math lesson. Great idea for those who have students who struggle with word problems.
 * When using **United Streaming** it is always a good idea to preview in advance and download to the server or your computer. You never know when the internet may be down or running slowly. If downloaded in advance you should be able to teach your lesson and not have to rely on a backup plan.
 * **ALWAYS have a BACKUP PLAN**. Technology is wonderful WHEN it works :-)