Technology in the Classroom

I am a big advocate for computer and technology usage in the classroom, but found it very challenging to do it in the past. Over the past few months I have been using it more and more to promote learning and I have found that my students are more involved in the subject areas we are working on. I have used computers more and more this year, because I now have a total of six in my classroom.

I found that many of my students were very unmotivated to write, yet I needed to find some way to reach them, especially since fourth grade students take the STAR writing test (MARCH 4). The writing genres that students are supposed to know how to write are response to literature, summary and personal narrative. While some of these are harder than others to write, I feel that I am very prepared, as we have done an intense writing unit since January. While it was unplanned for me to use the computers, I found that once I had students write their final drafts on the computer using Microsoft Word, others were motivated to finish so that way they could write type theirs up as well. We have typed up 3 writing assignments this year and I feel that their writing has greatly improved.

Another computer project that my students have been working on is a Powerpoint assignment highlighting one of California's 21 missions. Each student chose a mission and conducted research on it. Each student is creating an 8 page CD cover as well as designing a 4 slide PowerPoint of the Mission. The Powerpoint includes, an intro slide, Mission Beginnings, Mission Chronology, and Mission facts. While I did not teach this project last year to my students --the computer lab teacher did so--- I had to do it this year because my students only had computer lab time in the beginning and end of the year. I did a Powerpoint introduction and modeled the lesson in about 15 minutes. I taught them how to start a presentation, format slide deisign, as well as import images while doing Google Searches. The fifteen minute lesson was all kids needed to know and they were able to function on their own for their first slide creation.

As the kids were creating their slides, I could tell immediately, those students who were comfortable using a computer, and those that were afraid a simple mistake would mess everything up. Some lacked confidence, while others were experienced. I found it interesting that those that had little computer experience were not as experimental with their presentation. They wanted to make sure that every thing they did was correct. Now that most of my students have designed 4 slides, I believe that their confidence level in using Powerpoint has grown. Most are animating the slides and using slide transitions. My next step though, is teach kids how to create a well- balanced slide show with continuity in font color and appropriate animation, but that is another lesson in and of it self.

I am very proud of my teachings because it was done in a very short amount of time--in comparison to the computer teacher's time allotted. I'm excited to view the final products. Each student will receive all of the other student's Powerpoints on a CD to put it in a CD case with their cover design.