Some years ago when institutes and schools started implementing audiovisual materials, it was great to see how many things we could do with audio and video equipment. After some time, computers entered our world, and we were told we were going to have computers in our classroom. I always thought it would be great to have computers at hand because students would be able to become more autonomous. Also, I thought computers would give students the chance to search more and even get information that we, as teachers, have not found yet. Basically, in my mind I dreamed of something like the picture below.
Imagine my surprise when they placed one computer in each classroom. I thought that that was going to be chaos. Let's picture 25 of my students looking at a computer and trying to search for information or do an activity with using only one computer, Just like this:
Well, please do not misunderstand me. Now I realize that what I thought at the beginning was simply impossible. Imagine there are about 50 classrooms in the institution where I work and about 25 students in ecah classroom. Honestly, how on earth where they going to buy 25 computers for each classroom. Naive, me. However, let me tell you that this only one computer in the classromm can make wonders if we know how to use it well. From presentations to videos, from songs to online exercises, everything can be done with just a little of imagination.
There are so many different alternatives that we simply have to find the way to use them appropriately. Nevertheless, beware of overusing or misusing it.
Katya
Hi Katya,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that every classroom should have computers. At first, I also thought that having only one computer with 25 or 30 students was impossible to teach in the class. Now we know how to teach one-computer lessons after this week marvelous discussions. I also agree that we need to use computer wisely and should be aware of overusing or misusing it. Thanks for reminding this important point.
Wish you the best,
Zun Phyu
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting! I never imagined that you can still achieve much with one computer in class! To me it is better than having none. At least it adds variation in teaching and lesson delivery.Personally I used to think that every class was to have a computer but still from the week's topic it is possible to still achieve much from a single one. It opened my world view on the computer.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you that it is not about how many computers we have in the classroom but it is about how can we use that one-computer efficiently.
Hilal