ü Before we use the
internet, we should set up the computer first. Here are some tips that we can
take before using internet in the classroom ;
o Location
The location of your computers is something that we don’t often appreciate. A good location should have all the computer screens facing one direction so teacher can quickly glance over to see who is on task and who needs help. If we set the computers up in pods or circles, we wouldn’t be able to see what’s happening. This is just good classroom management.
The location of your computers is something that we don’t often appreciate. A good location should have all the computer screens facing one direction so teacher can quickly glance over to see who is on task and who needs help. If we set the computers up in pods or circles, we wouldn’t be able to see what’s happening. This is just good classroom management.
o Headphones and Speakers
Although most computers come with speakers these days, that’s only one part of the equation. Headphones are equally important in a classroom environment. Headphones allow the students to turn the volume up and not disturb the classroom.
Although most computers come with speakers these days, that’s only one part of the equation. Headphones are equally important in a classroom environment. Headphones allow the students to turn the volume up and not disturb the classroom.
o
Educational
Software
It’s not enough to set up the computer and tell the kids to go to the Internet and learn. You must install software. More often than not, you don’t get to participate in the decision making process when it comes to purchasing software. If there’s any way you can participate in the software purchasing process, do so. Be aware that if you want your opinion heard, you have to earn that right. This means extra work. You may have to do research and test out software to see if it’s what you want.
It’s not enough to set up the computer and tell the kids to go to the Internet and learn. You must install software. More often than not, you don’t get to participate in the decision making process when it comes to purchasing software. If there’s any way you can participate in the software purchasing process, do so. Be aware that if you want your opinion heard, you have to earn that right. This means extra work. You may have to do research and test out software to see if it’s what you want.
o
You might be looking for software that focuses on a particular
skill, like map reading, or you might want software that’s broader in scope,
tutoring students in geometry, for example.
o Security Software
Keep in mind that your computer is going to be used by many students. Sometimes students can accidentally delete a file, remove a desktop item or render a piece of software useless. You need something to prevent this from happening. Security software like Fortres puts blocks on the computer to stop children from deleting or installing something potentially harmful. Deep Freeze is another popular product. It allows students to make any changes they want to a computer, but when the machine is restarted, the damage is undone. I find software like this invaluable. I highly recommend it.
Keep in mind that your computer is going to be used by many students. Sometimes students can accidentally delete a file, remove a desktop item or render a piece of software useless. You need something to prevent this from happening. Security software like Fortres puts blocks on the computer to stop children from deleting or installing something potentially harmful. Deep Freeze is another popular product. It allows students to make any changes they want to a computer, but when the machine is restarted, the damage is undone. I find software like this invaluable. I highly recommend it.
o
Extras
The little things can make a big difference on a computer. Here’s a list of free software “extras” that I install on every machine during set up.
The little things can make a big difference on a computer. Here’s a list of free software “extras” that I install on every machine during set up.
o
Adobe Acrobat Reader - PDF is a universal format that many
documents are written in. If you have students on the Internet, you’ll need
this.
o
Google Toolbar - The pop-up stopper on this toolbar
is a little blessing. It will help prevent kids from being inundated with
window after window.
o
Flash Player and Shockwave Player - Both players allow for certain types
of animation to run on your computer.
o
Real Player and QuickTime Player - Both players allow for a variety of
multi-media files to play on your computer. Many audio and video files on the
Internet are written in one of these two formats.
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