Repeating myself-6 times!!

Well, patience was given a new meaning today. It is important always to be patient with little ones but today I realized with the computers a new level of patience is required! :)

We made folders on our desktops today. I showed the kids how to do it on the smart board several times and then we went through the instructions, no joke, at least six times. I asked what do you do first...ok what next...and so on. As soon as it seemed as though kids were able to respond...we did it one last time showing it on the smart board and talking it through.

I imagine this is more the way a kindergarten teacher teaches as everything seems new to these little guys. I think we take for granted that kids have an idea of how to do things in first grade and on...BUT with a computer it is back to square 1...so you have to repeat directions a gazillion times and show them...and MODEL MODEL MODEL until you think you literally beat it into the ground-and then try it one last time!

Was every kid able to make folders on their desktop after I repeated it (with the kids) and showed them at least 6 times...NO absolutely not...but did a majority of kids complete the task with little or no help...YES!!

AND I truly believe that I think the next time we create folders (now that kids have done it once) those kids who just needed a little help will be able to do it independently....it will only continue to get easier.

However, right now...EVERYTHING needs to be walked through lots of times and MODELED and repeated! It is just the way it goes...and I certainly don't blame the kids...it is all new to them...to be honest I am quite satisfied with how today went and feel very hopeful with how far we will go with the computers this year. I left today with a smile, knowing that the lesson was successful. :)

Technology Woes

Today technology was used as a tool to help the students stay more engaged and to help assess students ability levels. The computers were used today for think link (a program that tests students,) lexia ( a reading program,) xtra math (an online math program,) Pearson Math (math program) and differentiated math links for students.

The computers worked well today and students were actively engaged while on the computers.

Today, others had problems with chargers not working properly (fingers crossed that mine continue to work ok!)

Technology Woes

Today was hard for the students. The internet was slow in our classrooms. Asking a 6 year old to wait patiently (and quietly) is quite difficult. Let alone asking 25 6 year olds! When the internet works the kids do well on the laptops and the laptops can be used as a great tool. When the internet is slow it is difficult to stay patient about technology and is easy to think back to the fact that "paper and pencil" never had these problems!

Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully with faster internet!

It Begins!

I am back. The start of year two with the laptops. I am incredibly excited to be able to have an entire year to use the laptops with my students.

We have been using laptops in our classroom for about 3 weeks. The kids are now all able to log on (well, all but one...maybe two students!) Most of my kids are able to log-in to their reading and math program, Pearson, when using their password card (a few of the kids even have this password memorized!) Yes, it is baby steps with the little ones but in 3 weeks they have come a long way.

Although it might not seem as though the children have come far to an outsider I believe the first graders have learned a lot since the first day we took out the laptops. They know how to click and drag things. They know how to located and find new programs. They know how to enter in several passwords (with the help of a card.) They can turn on and shut down their laptop.

Sometimes, I forget the hurtles that the kids have jumped over but when I get a new student I am reminded at just how far they have come. I had a new student start in my classroom on Tuesday. He is having difficulties with things that my students are now "experts" on. As I watched one of my children standing over the new student today showing (not doing it for him) how to shut down his computer I had a big smile on my face. They truly are learning 21st century skills in the classroom-as well as skills that aren't so new like being a teamplayer.