Tech-Ease: Classroom Management Questions and Answers

Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.

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How do I promote collaborative learning using the computers in my classroom?

Just assigning your students into groups will not result in a collaborative learning experience. The key is to assign specific roles to each student when groups are created. This approach keeps one student from taking over computer time while the other members of the group sit back and watch passively. You can also assign a Techie role to the most technology savvy student in each group. This student will be responsible for either troubleshooting technology problems or communicating them to the teacher if it's something he or she cannot solve on his or her own.

Another important component is to have both group and individual outcomes in your lessons. Students can do group presentations or write a group report. To ensure that one student does not do all the work for the group, you should incorporate some type of peer review in your group project. The peer review should ask each student to provide constructive feedback on the quality of the other students' work, as well as evaluate the extent of their contribution.

Additional Websites

Multimedia in the Classroom: Engaging Students

Education World: Managing Technology - Tips from the Experts

Internet4Classrooms: Computer Classroom Management

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TECH-EASE HOME CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SEARCH

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Tech-Ease for Mac is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Windows site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.

			Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT	SEARCH
How do I promote collaborative learning using the computers in my classroom? Just assigning your students into groups will not result in a collaborative learning experience. The key is to assign specific roles to each student when groups are created. This approach keeps one student from taking over computer time while the other members of the group sit back and watch passively. You can also assign a Techie role to the most technology savvy student in each group. This student will be responsible for either troubleshooting technology problems or communicating them to the teacher if it's something he or she cannot solve on his or her own. Another important component is to have both group and individual outcomes in your lessons. Students can do group presentations or write a group report. To ensure that one student does not do all the work for the group, you should incorporate some type of peer review in your group project. The peer review should ask each student to provide constructive feedback on the quality of the other students' work, as well as evaluate the extent of their contribution.			Additional Websites Multimedia in the Classroom: Engaging Students Education World: Managing Technology - Tips from the Experts Internet4Classrooms: Computer Classroom Management
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT	SEARCH
Site Map \| Submit a Question \| About Tech-Ease \| Privacy Policy \| ETC Home Tech-Ease for Mac is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Windows site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.