Crunch at the keyboard

NEA Today, Oct 1998

How do you give all students enough computer time?

At my school, we have a wellequipped computer lab that we go to about three times a week. But in each individual classroom, we have only one computer.

At the beginning of the year, I give my students a number according to their alphabetical order. I achieve equal time by putting chips with students' numbers on them into a container. When I select a number, that student has computer time that day while everyone else does sustained silent reading.

This works well for activities like oral reading as well.

Christine Spigarelli

Fifth grade teacher

Crystal Falls, Michigan

In my class for pre-K handicapped students, we use the Ellison cutouts to label things like children's chairs, cubbies, and jobs. I make an extra set for each child's turn at the computer and put velcro on the back of each cutout. Then I put velcro on a laminated file folder and post that next to computer.

The students take their symbol and put it in line on the file folder for a turn at the computer.

When a turn begins, I set my little Barney kitchen timer for five minutes. When Barney sings, it's the next student's turn. It works well to help them transition, teaches them to keep track of their own turns, and saves me many fights.

Wendy Paser

Pre-K teacher

Clearwater, Florida

In our middle school of 450 students. each classroom has three computers. With classes ranging from 20 to 28 students, computer time is limited. To make sure that it's fairly allocated, I use a chart designating specific times each student is allowed on a computer.

Use of the computers at undesignated times is dependent on demand and reason for use. Though students can learn while "playing" on the computer, students wishing to complete a school assignment are given preference.

Our school also has two labs that can be used by entire classes. Sixth grade students have a volunteer teacher teaching keyboarding skills one class period a day.

With improved computer skills, students can complete class work more efficiently, and more of them will be able to use the computers.

Brian McGuire

Sixth grade teacher

Mauston, Wisconsin

Our school was given a teaching method through an IBM grant called Teaching and Learning with Computers.

Each classroom has six to 12 computers connected to two separate base networks. Each class may choose which server it connects to according to what software is needed for the unit skill.

My subject is writing and language mechanics. I have nine networked computers and two free-standing multimedia computers.

I divide each of my classes into three teams of nine to 10 students each. One team is at the computer station while the rest of the students are writing project material, games, journals, and assignments.

This gives each student 45-50 minutes of computer study in language skills every three days. Students also gain confidence to learn on their own, with small group help or individual attention when needed.

Jeanne Barber-Morris

Elementary teacher

Milton, Florida

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