|
Most
educators in the United States are faced with having only limited access
to the Internet. The different scenarios are almost endless in terms
of the specifics of each teachers technology environment. Some many
have several computers in their classrooms with high speed Internet access
while others only have one Internet-ready computer in the entire
school. Others may only have Internet access from their home or
local library. Without question all of these scenarios are less than
ideal yet almost all of them have solutions which can allow for effective
use of the technology. As you review the solutions and resources
below keep the following guidelines in mind:
-
One-Computer
or One-Connection Classrooms - Consider adopting a new classroom
instructional technique which will allow you to share your one computer or
Internet connection with all of your students. Cooperative
groups, learning centers, or dynamic teacher presentations are three
such techniques which can be very effective.
-
Computer
Labs - Some educators have limited access to large computer labs
in which students or pairs of students can work at their own
computers. If you can gain access to such facilities be sure to
plan for their use when they are most needed. Try and target
activities which really require students to all be at their own
computer. In addition, information can be
saved on disks or printed out and then brought into class.
-
Library
or Media Center - If you only have Internet access in your school
library or media center then consider taking a "class field
trip" to the center once or twice during the project to allow
students to see the Internet materials first hand. Then during
days when students cannot visit the library or media center you can go
before or after school to collect data, post information or complete
other activities that are part of your Internet-based project.
In addition, information can be
saved on disks or printed out and then brought into class.
-
Mobile
Computer Carts or Laptops - Some educators have to share computers
and Internet access with other teachers. Often schools place
these shared resources on carts so that they can be moved from one
classroom to another. In this scenario it can often be useful to
conduct dynamic teacher presentations when you can get access to the
shared computer. Keep in mind that advanced planning is
necessary as their may be a need to secure use of the shared computer
on a specific day during the implementation of your Internet-based
project.
-
Home
or Community Centers - Although it can present some significant
challenges, many Internet-based projects can be effectively implemented
in the classroom even if you only have Internet access from home or a
public community center (library, etc.). Information can be
saved on disks or printed out and then brought into class.
|
