Guest post by Heidi Raki
Often I come across teachers who use their computers as
video game systems and televisions. They
only allow students on them to practice games and watch videos. While both of these are valid ways to use
computers - computers are so much more!
1.) Computers are
interactive. Use blogs and wikkis to
allow for interaction on your computer.
Post a daily question to your blog and allow students to answer it
during their computer center. Use a
sight like www.wallwisher.com to let students add questions they have about a
topic during their computer center.
There are so many ways to have interactive computer centers!
2.) Computers are
creative. Students can create so much
using a computer. Students can use
computers to make: drawings, writings, graphs, interactive displays, brochures,
posters, etc. There's no age level on
when creation can begin either, I have taught students all the way down to
Kindergarten to create Powerpoints.
3.) Computers hold
amazing information. With the internet
these days, you can find information on just about anything. Let your students use kid friendly search
engines like www.askkids.com or bookmarked sites to find information on topics
you are studying in science, social studies, or even math! Students can use this information to complete
tables or answer questions - like in this FREE Internet Scavenger Hunt on
Geographical Features of the USA -
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Internet-Scavenger-Hunt-Fourth-Grade-Geographical-Features-USA
4.) Computers allow us to connect. Using e-mail and skype, my class has connected with a class on another continent this year! Set up e-pals or partner classrooms and allow students to use the computer to see a whole new world!
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