Opinion Paper 1

How to Thrive -- Not Just Survive -- in a One-Computer Classroom

When I read the title of this article, I immediately felt a tinge of excitement. I have the one-computer classroom that I feel really limits me in my teaching with technology. I agree with Chaika (2003) in that “In many classrooms, the single computer is relegated to the back wall.” My desktop computer has always been there as well, limited only to my use for grades, attendance, lesson plans, word documents, and research. The students don’t get to use this computer for those reasons. Chaika (2003) offers strategies to remedy this situation, such as moving the computer to a more accessible place within the classroom which would allow for computer use by students during the day.
Using the computer in this manner requires careful student monitoring and a well-working schedule to avoid the bottlenecking effect at the computer. Chaika (2003) offers some traffic strategies to aid this effect: posting a schedule for computer use for certain times, drawing popsicle sticks for taking turns, and establishing groups that are color coded for clarity. In my opinion, any of the three would work well, but I am leaning more toward having a schedule and time limit for the single student or pairs. I currently allow students who need extra time on the computer to come back at another time to finish. It seems to work well for those students who don’t have computer access at home.
I recently wrote a grant to buy a laptop and projector for my classroom. This technically means I have two computers now, but I still only allow student use on the laptop due to the sensitive nature of grades and other material on the desktop computer. I have found that the students know more about technology than I. They help me with suggestions to use it in lessons and help with technological difficulties that inevitably happen.
Some lessons do not lend themselves to single computer use. Word processing on one computer with twenty-five students isn’t feasible. However, allowing a group to type or prepare something is doable. Students can record and present data on the computer for the class. They can locate youtube video clips to further explain a concept. Students can research a new topic as an introduction or to complete the “What I want to Learn” portion of a reading strategy.

References
Chaika, G.(2003). How to Thrive -- Not Just Survive -- in a One-Computer Classroom.
Education World, Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech092.shtml.