My students come to the computer lab with varying experiences and abilities, and I've found that they respond best to self-paced lessons. Students follow step-by-step instructions in their textbooks, using data files provided by the publisher.One of the biggest challenges for teachers using step-by-step learning is to learn to become more flexible about their lesson plans. Some teachers are uncomfortable with not being able to teach all of their students the same lessons at the same time. But I've found that the advantages of using an online system far outweigh this temporary uneasiness.
As students work through their lessons in my classroom, I walk around the room to see what exercise they are working on, answering questions as they arise. As students take online quizzes and exams, the results are sent to my e-mail immediately upon completion. If a student's lesson pace or test scores start to lag, I monitor his or her activities more closely and offer counseling in ways to work more efficiently. I also invite students to catch up by visiting the computer lab during my support time or over the lunch break.
In addition, I provide access to the ExamView Testing Center through my Web site. My students take their exams at all hours of the day and even on the weekends. I've found that they respond well to being responsible for their own learning activities.
It's important to remember that computer-based education also gives students firsthand exposure to some of the vital "soft skills" they will need to enter the 21st century workplace. These include the ability to collaborate online, a knowledge of basic “netiquette,” and an appreciation of how technology is used in the workplace.
If you have Tips and Tricks that work in your classroom and would like to share them in the Technology Turning Points e-newsletter, please send your submissions to submissions@glencoe-techzine.com.
