Technology Management Strategies

Day 1:

• Red Cups

Day 2:

• Clothespins and Been There/Not Yet Chart

Day 3:

• Cups with Tongue Depressors or Paper Slips

Day 4:

• Been There, Done That/Not Yet Chart with Post It Notes

Day 5:

• Red and Green Flags

Day 6:

• OK/Help Cards

Day 7:

• Post-it Calendar

Other Strategies:

• Use a kiosk for delivering instructions to students.

• Train a team of software/hardware experts in your classroom.

• Use Each-One Teach-One for software questions.

• Publish according to groups - not everyone publishes every project!

• Get a scan converter for whole group instruction. These small boxes connect to your computer and to a regular TV and show what’s on your monitor on the TV. They cost about $200.

• Demonstrate what students will be doing in the lab BEFORE you go to the lab! This preparation time allows for more efficient use of the lab.

• Schedule the computer lab for whole group projects.

• Do NOT permit students to go publish their assignment until their storyboard is complete!

• Use centers in your classroom--with the computer as one of them.

• Use the Class Timer Web Site to keep the class on task!

• Use the Random Number Generator Web Site to select students randomly.

• Use a Random Name Generator to select students randomly, but with a personal touch!

• Use templates in your classroom to complete computer activities faster.

• Use an egg timer for quick tasks at the one computer workstation.

• Use parent and community volunteers to provide assistance at the computer station.

• Establish computer rules!!! Rules prevent problems. Acrostic Computer Rules:

  • CDs must be handled with care!

  • Operate the equipment properly.

  • Make sure you understand your assignment.

  • Print in color only with permission.

  • Use a quiet voice when working collaboratively.

  • Tell the next student on the chart when you're done.

  • Eating and drinking near the computer is not allowed.

  • Read All The Screen (RATS) before asking questions.

• Ask your Technology Specialists to set up student folders on the server for storage purposes. This eliminates the need for diskettes and the students can save to their folder from any location within the school - classroom, lab, media center, etc.

• Increase the size of the display font so that you can more easily view the content on your students’ screens.  (This is also helpful by allowing you to answer “quick” questions from a considerable physical distance.)

  • Internet Explorer:  Click on the “View” menu.  Select “Text Size” and choose the desired size.

  • Netscape:  Click on the “View” menu.  Select “Increase Font” until the desired size is selected.