The No Child Left Behind Act introduced the necessity to have at least one computer in each classroom. Frequently, this computer is used as a teacher’s station or an enrichment opportunity for advanced students. It can also be a valuable learning tool for all students in a classroom. With careful planning and group work even one computer can provide useful technology experience for an entire class.
Groups
There are many different ways to organize groups, but when integrating limited technology, it is very useful to use roles within each group. No matter which philosophy for group roles is used, technology use should be assigned either to an existing role or added as a new one. As the roles are exchanged for each new activity, each student then gets the opportunity to use the computer.
For example, in a three student group the roles Leader, Recorder and Reporter have been assigned. Recorder would need to record information on paper and then, when the computer is available, put that information into the appropriate software. If part of the activity includes presenting that information using the computer, Reporter would then also use the computer during the presentation.
Instead of including technology use as part of an existing role an additional role, such as Technologist or Engineer, could be added. The previous three student group would instead be a four person group. Recorder would have the task of recording the information on paper and Reporter would provide the verbal or physical part of the presentation. Technologist or Engineer would be the one to type the information into the computer and then run the computer during the presentation.
Activities
Ideal activities and projects to incorporate limited computer access are ones that rely on the computer as a tool. Students would need time to brainstorm and get their ideas together or gather their information before using the computer. Groups can then use the computer when it is available. The students in the group can assist the one using the computer if questions arise. Since the teacher will be moving between and assisting all the groups during the activity the group using the computer can get direct teacher assistance, too.
It is common that one group will be using the computer while one or more groups are awaiting their turn. There are several ways to reduce this problem:
- Keep the portions of the activity requiring data entry short, such as a few numbers in a table or a paragraph or two of typing
- Provide other related tasks that can be done in any order and do not require computer time
Rotating roles within a group and carefully crafting activities for variety are key strategies for integrating limited technology resources in a class. Though not every student receives time on the computer during every activity, they all can have the opportunity to use it at some point during the semester or school year.
