Technology & Learning - February 2009 - (Page 36)

FEATURESTORY By Jon Orech The goal of installing laptop programs is to increase student learning in the classroom. Follow these eleven tips to get the most learning out of your investment. new reference source online, and generate relevant questions that will result in student-generated assessments. To be “authentic,” the final project must be “used,” not merely “turned in.” 3 EMBRACE YOUR SURROUNDINGS 1 MAKE STUDENTS RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE 2 MAKE THE ACTIVITIES AUTHENTIC Make sure to assign a computer number to each student. That way, mishaps become much easier to trace. Impress upon them the importance of careful treatment of the laptops. The research on the importance of creating “authentic, problem-based projects “is overwhelming. Devise activities that have students working on issues that affect their community. Another consideration is that the finished product made by students be a document actually used by peers as an information tool. One example is a student-created online textbook. Another is to extend the traditional “lit circle” to a written document that other students can read to decide whether they want to read that book. A final idea is to have students research individual topics as small groups, create a Home, Sweet Home: The mobility of laptops holds great advantages. First, students are more likely to stay engaged if they are playing on their “home field.” You have already established a positive working atmosphere in your class, and the resources you use on a daily basis are right there. Enhance the experience with the use of laptops. Also, take further advantage of the mobility by placing students in the best locations to maximize the learning. If the activity is done in small groups, place the laptops accordingly. Laptops also promote more peer revision with the simple trading of machines. 4 MAKE SURE THE TECHNOLOGY EXTENDS THE LEARNING NEVER use computers just to use them. Make sure the learning accomplished with the technology could not be replicated without it. If the technology becomes superfluous, take out paper and pencil and let your neighbor next door use the laptops to create a voice thread, wiki, or digital story. 36 | TECH & LEARNING

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - February 2009

Technology & Learning - February 2009 Contents Editor's Desk News & Trends How It's Done - The Science of Class Collaboration Put to the Test: T&L Editors Take Some New Products for a Test Drive NComputing X550 Epson DC-10s Samsung UF-130DX Digital Presenter Brother MFC-6490CW All-in-One Adaptive Curriculum: Science Dukane AirSlate 3 A Second Life for Professional Development Control Room 11 Tips for Better Laptop Learning One-to-One Veteran Advice What's New They Said It

Technology & Learning - February 2009

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