Type
of Arrangement
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Instances
when I have worked with this arrangement
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Ways
in whch this will support diverse learners.
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Other
Comments
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Computer
Lab
Link to
one of my student's monsters |
As an ITRT, most of
my lessons take place in the computer lab. This is the exclusive
manner in which I work in two of my schools: Temperance and
Pleasant View.
At the left are photos taken during my lesson, The Monster Exchange
Project. This is a web based collaborative project where students
draw a monster (I had some of my students use KidPix, others drew the
pictures and then scanned them into the computer.) and then write a
paragraph describing this monster. They then upload both their
monster and the description to the web site. Each class that
signs up for the project is assigned a partner class to work
with. After the pictures and paragraphs are uploaded the
paragraphs from the partner class are downloaded. The students
then draw the monsters as described by the students in that
class. My students did not get to see the partner monsters until
they had attempted to recreate them from the paragraph descriptions
alone. The partner class is doing the same for us.
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Students in a lab setting can
work indivdually on tasks that are designed specially for them.
Headphones can benefit those that are using the text to speech aspects
of software programs like Inspiration, Word, Scholastic Keys, or
RiverDeep while not affecting the comprehension of other students close
by. Students can also be grouped in the lab to work in pairs or
trios easily allowing all students to see the shared computer.
Having an open room like a lab allows the teacher to sit with one child
and still observe the rest of the class.
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The computer labs
are ideal places to carry out differentiated technology lessons.
In all four of my schools the rooms are large and the computers circle
the walls. There is a table that students can work off of in
three of the labs. There is plenty of floor space and as my
picture shows, I like having the students work in small groups while
sitting on the floor. Students were surprised the first time they
entered the lab and I had them working on a problem where the
technology was not obviously evident.
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Mobile Computer Cart
Example
One
Example
Two
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In addition to ITRT
I also participated this year in a Differentiated Community Building
Project where I served as a differentiation coach. I was asked to
work with two middle school teachers at Amherst Middle School.
One teacher wanted to use the mobile cart to allow her students to
complete a book report using PowerPoint.
I have provided two links to pdf examples of these book reports as
examples of how I helped the students set up their reports.
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Wireless carts bring computers
into the classroom and will allow for teachers to partner students so
they can work in collaborative groups. This is an excellent way
to encourage peer tutoring or peer editing of writing projects.
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Using a mobile cart
is a really great way to schedule using technology more easy. At
Amherst Middle the computer lab is on the other side of the school from
the reading teacher's classroom. The teacher only had 50 minutes
for her lesson; it would have been very difficult to move the students
to the lab, provide time to work, and then bring them back.
Bringing the lab to the classroom was very convenient.
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COW (Computer On
Wheels)
Student's
Excel document.
Student's
Inspiration document
Student's
Word document
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In the picture to
the left is a COW or computer on wheels. I use this tool to lead
lessons where the student need to closely follow directions. If
you look closely you can see the projected image on the wall
behind. One lesson where projecting the image on the wall was of
much importance was during my lesson on Government for the third
grade. We integrated this with language arts and had students
research different presidents. Students were given different ways
they could present their research: creating a timeline using
Excel, creating an Inspiration document, or the tried and true method
of typing out their report. To the left are links to three images
showing a student's project using each of these methods. Each of
these as saved as an image to make viewing easier.
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Using a COW and having the
students working on their individual computers allows a teacher to
guide and give direction to students who have difficulty following
verbal directions.
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Being able to
demonstrate for students is critical in a differentiated
classroom. Students are uncomfortable with taking chances unless
they understand clearly what is being asked of them. I relied
heavily on the COW as an ITRT. Not only did I use it myself but
students also enjoyed using the COW to present their projects.
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One Computer
Classroom
Link
to Valdez Project
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There are some times
when a teacher wanted me to set up her classroom computer as a learning
station on which the students would work if they were finished early or
needed remediation. Linked at the side is a PowerPoint students
worked collaboratively on to explain the Exxon Valdez situation.
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Having a stand alone computer in
the classroom provides a way to have a center to target specific
needs. Students could work on their own schedule and not worry
about having to finish before a lab time is over. Students who
need special keyboards or other equipment are not as obvious as when
they need it in the lab.
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Many teachers
despair over having just one computer in the classroom. However
having even one computer can open up avenues for students to work
collaboratively on a project and give them a chance to practice their
technology skills at the same time. As an ITRT some of the ways I
am asked to help the most is to create lessons or give ideas for a one
computer learning station.
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