Computer on every desk - Classroom 2.02024-03-29T08:39:02Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/computer-on-every-desk?commentId=649749%3AComment%3A353411&feed=yes&xn_auth=noBubba,
I used to do a lot wit…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-18:649749:Comment:3543232009-06-18T13:09:35.336ZJulie Bairdhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JulieBaird
Bubba,<br />
I used to do a lot with cooperative learning but now I use mostly partner work instead. I teach German as a foreign language and with partner work, my students often use their German abilities to accomplish the task. When I had cooperative learning (group work), most of the language used was English instead of German.<br />
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Like you, I also like the idea of students working together. Usually when we read a short novel in German, my students end up in groups of 2 to 4, self-selected groups,…
Bubba,<br />
I used to do a lot with cooperative learning but now I use mostly partner work instead. I teach German as a foreign language and with partner work, my students often use their German abilities to accomplish the task. When I had cooperative learning (group work), most of the language used was English instead of German.<br />
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Like you, I also like the idea of students working together. Usually when we read a short novel in German, my students end up in groups of 2 to 4, self-selected groups, and they have a project to complete. It might be capturing a chapter using Pixton or creating a movie over a chapter. We did a wiki once where every group in the class had a specific task to contribute to the wiki. I enjoy these projects but once again the language the students use when talking to others about their project is English. I can't blame them. Their minds pick the easiest language for communication. Therefore I try to limit such projects to once a trimester (every 12 weeks). If I didn't care that they spoke a lot of English, I would try to plan more projects involving technology. Your last paragraph made me l…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-18:649749:Comment:3543182009-06-18T13:01:52.198ZJulie Bairdhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JulieBaird
Your last paragraph made me laugh. In 26 years of teaching, I think students are more talkative than they used to be.
Your last paragraph made me laugh. In 26 years of teaching, I think students are more talkative than they used to be. Amy wrote: the use of compute…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-18:649749:Comment:3543162009-06-18T12:59:58.613ZJulie Bairdhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JulieBaird
Amy wrote: t<i>he use of computers might alienate certain parts of the population. I am concerned that students in inner-city, rural, and low socio-economic areas will not have the same access, training, and opportunities to use computers as students in more affluent areas</i>.<br />
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This is one reason why students should frequently use computers in school. Students might not be able to use computers in their homes but if they can learn computer skills at school they will not be as technologically…
Amy wrote: t<i>he use of computers might alienate certain parts of the population. I am concerned that students in inner-city, rural, and low socio-economic areas will not have the same access, training, and opportunities to use computers as students in more affluent areas</i>.<br />
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This is one reason why students should frequently use computers in school. Students might not be able to use computers in their homes but if they can learn computer skills at school they will not be as technologically disadvantaged as their well to do counterparts. Almost all libraries have computers available that these students can use when they are not in school but they first have to learn how and why to use a computer. That happens in the school. Whether they can get to the library or choose to go is another question.<br />
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One of the factors that distinguishes lower economic homes from other economic levels is books. Mid to upper socio-economic homes often have lots of books and other reading materials lying around the house. This isn't normally true of low socio-economic homes. That doesn't stop us from using books in schools. Granted you can't give every child a computer to take home, but I think the comparison is still valid. Through books we open a student's mind and expand his world. Through computers we open a student's mind and expand his world.<br />
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If we are to educate children so that they can function in the current world and also in the future, students need to be using technology in the schools. The more likely it is that the students do not have access to computers at the home, the more important it is to expose them to computers in the school. At least that is my take on this. I think it's important to not…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-17:649749:Comment:3538222009-06-17T01:15:07.201ZTom Woodwardhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/twwoodwar
I think it's important to note that if the answers don't require thinking it's not the fault of technology but rather a flaw in the question. Books don't think for people and neither do computers.<br />
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I'd also argue that a computer can provide some really great ways to brainstorm and hold a discussion.<br />
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I'm not sure why we assume that students don't spend a lot of time talking to each other even with heavy computer use. It's not like teenagers forgot how to talk to each other in person when they…
I think it's important to note that if the answers don't require thinking it's not the fault of technology but rather a flaw in the question. Books don't think for people and neither do computers.<br />
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I'd also argue that a computer can provide some really great ways to brainstorm and hold a discussion.<br />
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I'm not sure why we assume that students don't spend a lot of time talking to each other even with heavy computer use. It's not like teenagers forgot how to talk to each other in person when they spent hours on the phone back in the day. Musicians who spend hours and hours, day after day, don't suddenly find themselves incapable of speech. What's the difference? I think computers can be very…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3537892009-06-16T23:04:43.720ZAmy L. Edwardshttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/AmyLEdwards
I think computers can be very useful tools in the classroom. I also agree that they are becoming more affordable and therefore we are coming closer to the age when there will be one on every desk. I also agree with Catherine, however, in that students do need to know other methods of performing research. When a calculator isn't available, you use other methods to go about solving your problem. Computers crash. Electricity goes out. Students should have access to computers but they also should…
I think computers can be very useful tools in the classroom. I also agree that they are becoming more affordable and therefore we are coming closer to the age when there will be one on every desk. I also agree with Catherine, however, in that students do need to know other methods of performing research. When a calculator isn't available, you use other methods to go about solving your problem. Computers crash. Electricity goes out. Students should have access to computers but they also should have knowledge of other methods of research and be able to use those skills when computers are not available.<br />
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I also worry that, even though computers and certain types of technology are becoming more affordable and therefore more available, the use of computers might alienate certain parts of the population. I am concerned that students in inner-city, rural, and low socio-economic areas will not have the same access, training, and opportunities to use computers as students in more affluent areas. my fear is that these students will be put at even a more disadvantage than their more well to do counterparts. I think the time has come, bu…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3536082009-06-16T14:56:26.471ZSheldon Huelinhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/SheldonHuelin
I think the time has come, but administration will say that it costs too much money. Students should be using tools in the classroom that they use outside of it.
I think the time has come, but administration will say that it costs too much money. Students should be using tools in the classroom that they use outside of it. Interesting.. Has anyone had…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3534752009-06-16T04:30:55.868ZDan Itkishttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/XpackCloudDesktop
Interesting.. Has anyone had any experience with giving out netbooks at the school? We find that netbook form factor (screen size) is not large enough to do much meaningful work with, not to mention that they can easily be broken, lost, or stolen. Since most kids have some kind of PC at home, would seem like having an access point to web apps in the classroom, and access to the same web apps from home should do the trick?
Interesting.. Has anyone had any experience with giving out netbooks at the school? We find that netbook form factor (screen size) is not large enough to do much meaningful work with, not to mention that they can easily be broken, lost, or stolen. Since most kids have some kind of PC at home, would seem like having an access point to web apps in the classroom, and access to the same web apps from home should do the trick? They can brainstorm with othe…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3534712009-06-16T04:11:24.091ZSteve Tanksleyhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/SteveTanksley
They can brainstorm with other students using a computer and why do they need to know how to look up this other ways? I can not tell you the last time I used an atlas, dictonary, phonebook, encyclopedia, etc. It's all on line and with more current information. Also, simulation games do teach students to think on their own and sometimes technology is better for promoting problem solving because of the level of complexity involved. I am not saying that not using a computer is bad. However, I…
They can brainstorm with other students using a computer and why do they need to know how to look up this other ways? I can not tell you the last time I used an atlas, dictonary, phonebook, encyclopedia, etc. It's all on line and with more current information. Also, simulation games do teach students to think on their own and sometimes technology is better for promoting problem solving because of the level of complexity involved. I am not saying that not using a computer is bad. However, I think you may be limiting the power computers can have with the right tools in place. If we can include a netbook i…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3534682009-06-16T04:04:10.280ZSteve Tanksleyhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/SteveTanksley
If we can include a netbook in the definition and not just a desktop, I say yes. It is a little ridiculous to have to sign up for the most powerful learning tool in the school. Netbooks are becoming affordable enough that each student could be issued his or her own, especially if we converted to digital textbook. Maybe happening soon, considering what is happening in California.
If we can include a netbook in the definition and not just a desktop, I say yes. It is a little ridiculous to have to sign up for the most powerful learning tool in the school. Netbooks are becoming affordable enough that each student could be issued his or her own, especially if we converted to digital textbook. Maybe happening soon, considering what is happening in California. I do think that it is time to…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-16:649749:Comment:3534222009-06-16T02:00:31.341ZAndrew Passhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/passandr
I do think that it is time to have a computer on every desk. But, first I think it's time for educators to conceive of the learning experience in different ways. Computers enable students to become producers of knowledge and not simply consumers of information. The right kinds of educational activities must be developed and facilitated that enable students to actively participate in their own learning, a learning that will not only benefit students but the world in which they live.
I do think that it is time to have a computer on every desk. But, first I think it's time for educators to conceive of the learning experience in different ways. Computers enable students to become producers of knowledge and not simply consumers of information. The right kinds of educational activities must be developed and facilitated that enable students to actively participate in their own learning, a learning that will not only benefit students but the world in which they live.