Hello. I am not sure if there is a discussion out there for computer lab teachers yet. If not, I would like to start one so we can bounce ideas and resources off each other. I spent my first year teaching as a computer lab teacher. At first I was hesitant because I thought I would be a classroom teacher. Now, I love it and feel I am in the right place at the right time.

This September I start my second year only this time i am at a Chicago Public School with 600+ students. I have a lot of work to do to prepare and would love to talk with anyone about tips, tricks, what to avoid, etc.

Thanks,
Jeremiah Olson

Tags: computer, lab, labs

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Ann -

I have been a Technology Coord and lab teacher for 7 years and have followed the same progression as you have. Your wikis are great. What a wonderful way to organize. Our school uses Moodle and I think that I will add a Wiki as a resource page for my teachers so that they can see what I hope to accomplish through the year and make suggestions. I do a lot of wondering the halls!

Thanks for sharing.

Jane Otto
Ann,
Your wikis are excellent!! I'm exactly 2 years behind you. I've been teaching Kindergarten-4th grade computers for the last 9 years. I love what I do. I'm always chasing the teachers to share what they're teaching so that I can prepare a corresponding fun and learning activity . I will start a wiki like yours to collect all of my projects. Our projects are very similar. This year I plan to use more Web 2.0 tools. Last year I did podcasts with 1st graders on Book Reviews. Some of my projects and websites that I post are at my website www.bzkids.org. My school required that we use Moodle for our website and it was very restricted. I was unhappy with the look, and I had very little control over the formatting, thus the columns are uneven. Thank you so much for sharing your wikis. They are truly valuable resources. Since the NECC conference this year, I've been collecting resources here: http://sites.google.com/site/faithsfiles/
Faith
Faith:
I really enjoyed looking through your web sites. I've found wikis to be a great way to share student work. Yours is looking good! I've never used Moodle, but I understand the desire to control formatting. It's still one of the downsides with Wikispaces. I wish there was a little more control over tables. Your Google site has a huge collection of resources. Thank you for pointing it out. I bookmarked it.
Ann
Howdy, I'm starting computer lab position this year after teaching in my own classroom for 7 years. I'm using a planning wiki: http://oakridgetech.wikispaces.com to organize what I'm doing. My biggest challenge is reorienting to primary. There is a discussion thread here on computers with K-2 students: http://classroom20.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=649749%3ATopic%3A35432
Hi Alice, I want to thank you for all the resources you share. Today I had my first lessons with my 5th grades. Your powerpoint for rules in the computer lab was the cornerstone of the lesson, but more than that it helped me define very clearly for the first time in 14 years of teaching just what behaviour I will accept from the children.
Please continue to let me know how it works, and what "holes" you discover in the it and I'll do the same.
Hi Alice,

I'm new to this site and to being a computer teacher. Unfortunately I am starting now in April. Not an easy transition. I've been reading all these posts and checking out links. This is awesome! I was wondering if you could send me to the powerpoint for rules in the computer lab that you sent to Susan back in September.

If anyone can help me with ideas and lessons, I'd be ever so grateful. Although I've taught computers as a classroom teacher, this is new. I'm teaching grades 3 - 5 and special ed classes. There are about 6 classes for each grade. The last computer teacher did nothing with the students other than play games or type to learn. I'd like to bring in much more actual learning of technology and computers.

Thanks!
Good luck to you. I would say, start with unit plans, and then move down to weekly plans for each grade level. That's how I did it. I have the unit plans tie-in to the language arts units for two reasons. I'm at a program improvement school, and our scores in language arts need to come up, and the school is using a scripted curriculum with a pacing guide, so they are largely on the same schedule (making it easier for me to follow them). Find what they are doing in their regular class, and try to tie-in with activities/projects in the lab as much as possible. This will give your lessons (and the limited time you have with them) more depth. I still have games/activities, but it's tied into their unit themes, etc. I do give them time for keyboarding practice as well.

The files you requested are on Slideshare.net: http://www.slideshare.net/mizmercer/slideshows and I've attached them below (the slideshares are downloadable)
Attachments:
Thank you so much Alice!
Hi Alice,
Thank you so much for sharing your slides. They are very well done! I read your computer lab rules and I run my lab the same way. I have a cute trick for you. I used to have the red cup on top for help. Now, I take colored tongue depressors (they sell at craft or teacher stores) and velcro them to the side of the computer. The kids turn them up when they need help. How does classroom management work for you. Sometimes I get frazzled. When I go home at the end of the day, I hate the sound of my name.
Thanx,
Faith
That's an incredible idea! I used to use the red cups, but stopped for various reasons. I love this flag idea! Much less noisy, too!
Hi,
I'm a Tech. Integration Specialist in a K-8 school and I work for part of the week in the computer lab where I see students in grades 1-5 once a week. I use an eboard to post lessons and links and have found it to be the key to how things function during class. www.northhampton.eboard.com/
Have yet to update it for the start of the year but I highly recommend this cool piece of technology. I think it costs $40/yr for a single license. ~Steph.

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