Practical Ideas for the One Computer
Classroom

Here are some practical ideas for
using one computer in your classroom.
Room Arrangement
- Easy student access
- Easy teacher access for presenting, modeling and
process writing etc.
- Easily Supervised
- Provide enough space for small group
interaction
Management / Scheduling
- Consider equity: You may want to didentify
computer users for each day, and have students cycle through to
complete project. Or set up a weekly schedule and assign open
blocks to students.
- Consider the project when allowing computer time.
Some projects may take more time.
- Provide opportunities for cooperative
learning.
- Post computer rights and responsibilities,
guidelines for help, and expected hehavior near computer
station.
- Display posters using computer terms and
commands.
- Emphasize the importance of preplanning so that
time on the computer is efficiently used.
- You may want to create two folders, one for
completed projects and one for work in progress. Have a checklist
available so that, after each session, students can indicate
whether project is complete or additional time is needed.
- Use peer partnership/mentors/volunteers
- Consider having students work in pairs or
small groups.
- Consider computer skill and specific
assignment when pairing students.
- Change partners according to needs.
- Students need time away from the computer for
brainstorming, planning, and revising project.
- Peer evaluation of computer projects is a
key.
- The use of "trained experts" among class
members is helpful.
- Consider the use of computer buddies to
introduce new comuter skills.
Classroom Modeling
- Model various types of computer projects for
students.
- Provide a sample of the completed work for a
particular session.
- Provide students with a step by step checklist.
Have students sign and attach the checklist to completed project.
Be sure to include a proofreading checklist.
- When teaching a computer skill, templates can be
very valuable. When using a template, each student or team can
rotate through the activity and the original will
not be altered or lost. This allows for a more
self-guided lesson.
