Know the computer lab supervision and acceptable use
This topic is a tough one for me, because I find it less applicable to me than the topics of the previous weeks, as I don't manage a computer lab and I literally never take my classes to the computer lab. I also have only used the Chromebook cart twice, in 5 years.
This being the case, I have decided to make my focus questions of this week to be the following:
How can I increase learning in my class by having students use one of the chromebook carts in class? At the same time, how can I keep students engaged in prolonged activities on these devices?
As I have never use the school Chromebook cart, and rarely allow students to use their cellphones, I have a lot of learning to do. I worry that my students will look at this time as fun time, or free time and not be engaged. I will specifically have to learn some strategies for dealing with classroom management, especially in regards to keeping students staying on task and not simply drifting onto other websites. I have my doubts, but maybe this research will change my mind.
Update: found an awesome article on classroom management that has 4 simple rules to help me introduce Chromebook carts in my class!! I'm really excited to try it!
Hey Dane!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you mean by students thinking it is fun time and get distracted when technology is being used. I also remember you saying that you teach an AP class which requires students to learn a whole lot of content and does not allow time to incorporate technology. Using technology in the class is no joke and being able to incorporate it efficiently and effectively requires a lot of planning. I found this article (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/02/28/how-teachers-are-using-technology-at-home-and-in-their-classrooms/) that also talks about teachers using technology in an AP classroom. Hope you find it interesting!
Hi Dane.
ReplyDeleteI have never taken my students to a computer lab either, but I definitely used the chromebook cart daily. I understand that you teach an AP class which must be very information heavy, but I still feel that there are ways to incorporate the chromebooks in a way that improves their understanding of the content. - I tried finding more information on this and could not find very much. I think that is very interesting. I would have expected to find more resources on the sky. I do remember you mentioning that you were going to consider using the chromebooks for notetaking and organizing the information they learned using webjets?