Overcoming Barriers to Technology

Any tips or suggestions for me on how to create a 1:1 classroom. I am trying to use technology on a daily basis, but can only get the computer lab at my school once a week guaranteed--any more than this is tricky. Would love to hear from those of you who have found ways to overcome this access issue.

Tags: technology

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Permalink Reply by Rashidah Tutashinda on April 22, 2012 at 1:25am

As a former tech teacher I know that teachers do not want to bring their class to a computer room. I think that technology integration can only happen when all teachers have tools in their room. In the meantime please collaborate with your tech instructor or lab monitor so they are invested in providing extra time. See if they are willing to let you use the space during their lunch period. Send a note home for a once a month after school usage if possible to complete assignments. Seek help from Donors choose or Adopt a school. Make sure that the content drives your request not the technology. Best Buy provides a 50-100 donation from store managers. Talk to parents their employers might donate...name a piece of equipment you need and ask them to buy it. But a kindle for under $100 and raffle it for $2 to your schools population will probably double your investment. Post your need on Craigslist.Do you have a projector? Ask other teachers to collaborate. Can you send a few students down to work if seats are available.(Make sure they do not require help) Use pen pals so that they can write off line. You can project and assign students entire class a project. Create teams so they can perform different task and get the most from their visit. If no projector buy that first. :)

Hope this helps

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Curran on April 23, 2012 at 9:23am

Thank you so much Rashidah. I like your ideas and will check out Craigslist, donorschoose and Adopt a School, right away. Thanks for your insight!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle M on April 24, 2012 at 10:50am

Hi Maureen-

At CrossTec Corporation we offer a product called SchoolVue.

SchoolVue is a classroom management software tool designed to allow teachers and lab instructors to take control of classroom technology at all times. Some of the main features include the ability to manage and monitor student screens, create and administer custom tests, sync up other classroom technology such as an interactive whiteboard, screen annotation, and more. SchoolVue is the most effective and reliable management tool in a wireless or 1:1 environment. We currently have schools using this product to manage 30,000 or more students wirelessly. You can explore the full list of features and more information at: http://www.crosstecsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&vi....

We also offer a free 30-day download trail and this offer can be found at: http://www.crosstecsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&vi....

Hope this helps,

Michelle Murphy

mmurphy@crosstecsoftware.com

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Permalink Reply by Perry Studevent on April 24, 2012 at 12:56pm

One of the biggest tips I found was to simply do as you are doing now - to ask others. I have gotten so many good tips just from incidental conversations.