Teaching Tech on a Low-Tech Budget
I have had the opportunity to teach computer applications for the past 7 years to middle school 8th graders. Well with the exception of last year when the higher ups thought it would be a good idea to cut the class and make the computer teacher teach reading. But that was squashed and I am back teaching computers once again.
With the budget cuts that have been happening I am finding it more difficult to branch out of my normal routine. I have a classroom of 34 computers all with the district required software. ZERO budget.
Current semester course: (Designed after talking with high school tech teachers)
Computer Basics - Computer History, Parts of a Computer, Binary, How to build your own computer, How the internet works, viruses
Typing - We use a computer based program Type to Learn.
MS Office - Word, Power Point, Publisher (variety of projects in each)
HTML - Basic programming, students create a web site based on their school schedule
Is anyone using low-cost/no-cost programs that can add or enhance these current areas? Or any other ideas? I feel like i am in a rut and want to make my class even more interesting than it already is.
With the budget cuts that have been happening I am finding it more difficult to branch out of my normal routine. I have a classroom of 34 computers all with the district required software. ZERO budget.
Current semester course: (Designed after talking with high school tech teachers)
Computer Basics - Computer History, Parts of a Computer, Binary, How to build your own computer, How the internet works, viruses
Typing - We use a computer based program Type to Learn.
MS Office - Word, Power Point, Publisher (variety of projects in each)
HTML - Basic programming, students create a web site based on their school schedule
Is anyone using low-cost/no-cost programs that can add or enhance these current areas? Or any other ideas? I feel like i am in a rut and want to make my class even more interesting than it already is.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Cunningham on
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i think having zero budget might actually be a great position because it will get your kids off their local machines and into the cloud where so many programs are free (and far more interesting)... there are many great online typing programs, google docs for online MS Office, Edublogs for personal web sites/HTML, on and on and on...
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just remembered this site, could be killer for your HTML class: Squad, a web-based collaborative code editor
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Permalink Reply by Laura Gonzalez on
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Do you have internet access for all the computers? If so, go online.
We use gaggle.com for email and chat. In my language arts class, I teach netiquette for e-mail, chat, discussion boards, etc.
We use edu.glogster.com for creating interactive media "posters."
We haven't any typing programs so I use a site from the bbc to teach keyboarding skills and online games to improve typing speed.
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Permalink Reply by Sally Irons on
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Jeff,
Online and/or open source is the way to go!! I teach a class called Computer Presentations. The goal is to teach students a variety of applications that can present information to an audience. We use the following:
SqirlzMorph - will allow students to morph 2 or more pictures and/or images together. My kids (10th graders) had a ball with this application. Final morph can be saved as an .avi or flash file. (open source)
Tripod.com - hosting site for individual students' web sites
camstudio20 - will do video screen capture with sound. (open source)
gimp 2.6.7 - a "first cousin" to Photo Shop!! This program does just about anything that Photo Shop can do and more! There are lots of websites with tutorials and projects. (open source)
gimp-gap - suggested add-on for Gimp (open source)
gmaker - Really cool application! Students learn how to create their own video games. Very easy to learn!! There are many websites that offer tutorials and project ideas. (open source)
scribus - desktop publishing software. Very easy to use. (open source)
Hope this list helps!!
Sally Irons
Niles, Michigan
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Permalink Reply by Peter Lane on
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I like the idea of having students taking pictures with their cell phones, uploading them, and then using SqirlzMorph to modify them... Unfortunately, as this requires downloading software there will be some logistical problems. Might be a great "winter break" assignment...
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Wylie on
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Permalink Reply by Dwight Goodwin on
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I use Camstudio to produce screencast for teachers and students. How great would it be for you students to create tutorials for your teachers. its a very powerful program and its free. You can even do PIP with a webcam.
www.camstudio.com
www.classroomnext.blogspot.com
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I forgot about Wordle. Maybe you could see about including that. Here is a link for 10 ways to use Wordle in the classroom...
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