Creating the Integrated Classroom
Creating the Integrated Classroom by Cathie Chapman
- 1 to 3 mobile laptops
- things to think about:
- equipment
- teaching basics to the students
- developing a routine
- classroom arrangement
- managing hardware
- lesson planning
- creating a support system
- what you need:
- laptops
- power strips
- projectors
- internet access
- software
- headphones & microphones
- digital and video cameras
- digital presenter – document camera
- the basics
- create procedures
- emphasize proper use
- get the students’ attention
- give lesson instruction before turning ON the computer
- monitor off/lid half-closed
- hand signals and visuals
- learn what works for you
- developing a routine
- unlock the cart: protect the combination
- emphasize gentle handling
- assign student supervisors and helpers
- assign laptops to students
- set up and tear down:
- set up 5 to 8 minutes
- student supervisors in charge of smooth transitions
- student helpers hand out laptops
- limit number of students at cart
- tear down 5 to 8 minutes
- reverse set up procedure
- each student is in charge of his/her own laptop to student helpers
- student supervisors calls tables and maintains order
- consider leaving out overnight
- set up 5 to 8 minutes
- power source management
- charge overnight
- 2 to 3 hours battery time
- power strip for battery
- visibility to screen
- classroom arrangement
- locating near power strips
- circulating the classroom
- cooperative grouping
- independent work
- what works for hardware
- Zig-zag
- classroom arrangement is in a zig-zag pattern for easy accessibility
- Circle configuration
- power cord in middle
- shoulder partners
- moderately easy for teacher to circulate
- long rectangular
- power strips in middle
- rectangular/square
- power strips at end of table
- shoulder partners
- easy for teacher to circulate
- flexible
- lots of freedom
- more difficult to manage power strips
- ideal for cooperative work
- glitches and bugs
- if something goes wrong
- plug it in
- restart it
- always have a plan b
- network outages
- sometimes things just don’t work
- if something goes wrong
- hardware management
- think about how to deal with hardware failure
- updates
- virus protection
- software installation
- network controls
- time for kids
- Don’t do what we did:
- ALWAYS test sites before the lesson
- rules of thumb
- mostly independent cooperative
- not teacher led
- create a support system
- informal and formal meetings
- mostly independent cooperative
- Chapman Science wiki
- Brainpop
- Moodle
- Teacher Resources
- Largo Middle School
- Cathie Chapman Chapmanc@pcsb.org
Until next time ~ Danita
January 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Thanks for live blogging – it’s great to hitchhike along with your FETC conference experience.
Lori A ( fsinfo)
January 25th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Danita – wow thanks for the list and live update. I’m from NZ and it will be good to read your blog to see how things are going :+)
January 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for blogging what we’re missing out on! This list in particular is important to me…can’t wait to hear more detail when you get back to chilly NC!