Chapter 3: Postcards from the Net Video

As a future teacher, I would change the teaching approach used by the teacher in the Chapter 3 Video: Postcards from the Net Video. The first thing I would change would be to project the computer screen on to a large projector screen so all the students could view the computers screen. In the video, the teacher sat behind a computer monitor which was located in the corner of the classroom. The teacher proceeded to ask the students how to pull up Microsoft office and complete an email with an attachment. As the teacher asked questions, she clicked on the correct icons or buttons on the computer and the students could not see what she was doing on the computer monitor. Most of the students were bored and not paying attention. I would have the students come up to the computer and complete the steps themselves while all the other students could watch the monitor screen on the projector. This would get the students involved in the lesson. The teacher also listed several steps in the process as she completed the email and attached a file. I would have had the steps printed on the chalkboard or somewhere visible to all the students so the students could easily follow along with the steps.

Blog 5 Laptops in the Classroom

The ideal classroom would have a laptop available for every student at their desk. I feel this technological set up would allow each student to learn on his or her own and have hands on experience with the laptop. I would also require each laptop to be connected to the projector screen. This would give the teacher the option to choose a student and project his or her work on to the screen in the front of the class for them to share or demonstrate. The laptops would have to have Microsoft office and the internet loaded on them for them to be effective in the classroom.

A laptop at every student’s desk would require some special wiring and set up. The student’s desk would have to have the wires running through them and possibly connecting to an outlet in the floor under each desk. An internet line would also have to be ran at each desk for each laptop and wired through a server in the school.

The advantages to having a laptop available for each student would be endless. The laptops could be used for all subjects. Students could work on math or english worksheets together on the projector screen through their laptops. They could use the laptops for science experiments and research. The students could use the laptops to write reports, make excel worksheets, or power point presentations. I feel a laptop for every student would improve interest for students and learning opportunities.