1 Computer for All of Us? Really?

So, here's the dilemma- you're teaching in a classroom and you want to utilize the single computer you have, but you have 25 students. How do you make it work?

Here are a few options:

1. Use it as a presentation tool.
2. Use interactive group software (taking turns followed by group discussion).
3. Use it as a learning station (for resource or for reward).
4. Use it for teacher productivity.

Ok, so now you can begin to see that 1 computer in a classroom of 25 students and 1 teacher is a possibility. So long as everyone is engaged and using the computer to enhance the lesson rather than control the lesson than everyone should get something out of using the computer in the classroom.

If you have a school library or your students all have access to a home computer and the internet then you can do webquests and scavenger hunts. Both use the internet to do an activity that draws information from the web. A webquest is more involved and is based off of a culminating activity, uses higher order thinking and is very structured. A scavenger hunt is knowledge based, doesn't require higher order thinking and is not structured.

By clicking on sites like http://faculty.usiouxfalls.edu/arpeterson/scavenger_hunts.htm for scavenger hunts, and http://www.bestwebquests.com/ for webquests you can get an idea as to what they look like and how they function as classroom/homework activities.

Trust me, they are fun and students like to do them, so give them a whirl and see what happens. Just make sure they compliment your lesson(s) and you teach students how to do them before assigning them.

Enjoy surfing and hunting on the web!

Creating Your Own Web Page: Easier Done Than Said

Usually the phrase goes as such: "Easier said than done." But not when it comes to creating your own web page. With Google Sites it's nearly self explanatory! Once you either create an account or log in you can click on what sort of theme you want your page to have and if you want everyone or only those you choose to view it, and voila, your very own web page is born!

Once on the site you can edit and fine tune what it is you want your page to say and display. It may take a bit of time exploring but I promise you within a short period of time your web page will be up and running just the way you want it.

Creating your own web page is extremely useful when it comes to the classroom. For one you are able to keep parents involved just by sending them the link (and making sure you update your page). Also, your students are able to go onto your page and see what assignments are do, what to expect in class the following day, classroom/school news (along with any other big news stories you want to share), resources to assist them in studying and homework and ways to get in touch with you (along with anything else you want them to have access to). You can show this to your administration as a way of expressing how connected and in touch you are with your students and the students' parents. It's a great way to stay organized!

Just make sure to keep these 5 web page design rules in mind and you shouldn't have too much trouble (besides having to decide things like what color you want your page to be): appropriateness (know your audience), placement (know the expectations of your page), consistency (keep pages looking the same), usability (make it easy to navigate) and currency (always update).

Now off you go! And be proud because once you finish your page you can the owner of a web page!

Websites - What Makes Them "Good"

So in this day and age people not only have their own phone numbers (a cell phone number) but now many people are creating their own websites for an assortment of purposes. Knowing how to create one, and a good one at that, is extremely important because of how relevant it is today.

In order to have a good website, you must:

• make it as simple as possible
• create it to look attractive and professional
• make it well organized with a top-down design
• choose appropriate colors (ones that don't clash and that are contrastive)
• be consistent in format (when opening new pages off of your website and color choices)
• have valuable content
• scale your content so it fills your browser window (for people to view with all monitor sizes)
• create it for multiple browsers (since PCs and Macs use different home browsers)
• proofread before running the site for errors
• post "last updated" date and a means of contact (e-mail or home/work address)

If you follow this list of "must do" for your website you are bound to create something wonderful! And it's all about experimenting, so never feel like you're stuck with one format or look. Websites are constantly being redone so there is no shame in diving back in once it's already been up and running.

Good luck and enjoy the many website possibilities!