Tips For Beginners
Helpful Tips for Kids and Computers
These will seem like basics to veteran technology teachers, but these are a few tips that really helped my technology class run smoothly.
1. Assign each student a computer: Put some light sticking tape on the top of the laptop with the student’s name on it to help decrease confusion over seating with young children. Create a seating chart and have students practice finding their place and lining up.
2. Give each student a Folder: Saving work to the server is always the best option. If saving work directly to the computer, create folders for each class and student. Clearly label each folder, and if teaching multiple classes, color code the folders for each class. Saving to the server is ideal, but if this is not an option keep saving in plain view. This also serves as a great starting point for students in the mornings.
3. Drill on saving: Explain that if students will be titling documents in their own name that they will need to use numbers afterwards to keep documents separate and avoid deleting or replacing documents by using the same name twice. Also, avoid long titles for documents.
4. Do a walk through: Having a projector is very helpful for new learning and instruction. Having ten minutes to cover new material and review with students can be a great reinforcement of new learning. Picking students to demonstrate new techniques and skills is also a good way to get students involved.
5. Appointing Experts: I find that many students who quickly grasp new concepts are the first to finish on their work and served as wonderful experts to pass their new understanding on to other students while improving their own skills.
6. Hire an Inspector: Assign student jobs, such as an inspector who will do a walk around after lessons to ensure that all materials have been put away and all applications have been closed.
7. Clean Team: Find responsible students that can help put laptops away and on occasion help clean screens and keyboards. Use q-tips for keyboards and soft lint free cloths for screens. Be sure to be very clear on care of LCD screens and be sure they are being cleaned gently with screen safe products.
Organization
Keeping Things easy to Find
Shoe Organizer: These simple compartments add a visual storage system that make finding all your small adapters and cords simple.
Having your tools and toys put away in one spot makes hunting so much easier!
