Digging Into Technology: Education & The Internet

Other Pages:
Preparing For The Dig and Gathering Your Tools

Step 3: Managing The Dig

Managing The Computers & Other Techie Details
Before your dig, consider available technology and the experience level of your students.
When?
Will you use class time in the computer lab to complete the lesson? Who do you contact to schedule computer time?
If your computer time is limited, present a few web sites to your class. Use a projector wired to your computer to share great sites along with your classroom lesson. Assign specific sites to groups of students and allow them to share the information with their classmates.

Are you plugged in?
If you plan to visit sites that require plug-ins (Shockwave, Real Player, etc.), be sure that every computer is "plugged in". Although each site provides detailed directions, be sure to allow plenty of time for those uncooperative computers.

What else can they do?
Will students be required to use other computer applications (word processing or multimedia)? If so, do all the computers provide the required software?

To print or not to print?
You may want to consider limiting the use of printers and require students to record important details in a journal or on a project worksheet. Utilize cut-and-paste features to save important information, images, charts, and other graphics on a data disk. The students can easily import the information into word processing documents and presentations.

Managing The URLs
How will your students access the great gems you've found?
One option is to print them along with the project guide.
Many teachers create a bookmark folder to load on each computer or the network.
Create a class page (Quia!), develop your own web site (Geocities, TeacherWeb, or Homestead). List the URLs for your units in an easy-to-navigate format (The Science Spot: Kid Zone). A little prep time now will save class time later. Another bonus to online hot lists... avoiding those typing mistakes that lead to questionable sites on the web.

Avoiding the road blocks!
No matter how much you try to avoid broken links or error messages, they will occur. Develop a plan to help you manage problems. Provide a Link Log for students to note the broken or incorrect links they discover.

Managing The Students
What are the rules?
Develop your own rules for Internet use. Set clear guidelines for computer use to prevent future problems. Check with your school district for acceptable use policies. Do an internet source to find a wealth of resources to help you keep your students safe while surfing.

Share the knowledge!
Some students are experts at web surfing, while others may need a few lessons before cruising on their own.
A good idea to limit the demand on your time is to require students to ask at least two other students for help before asking the teacher. Not only does this help the student find the help they need, but it also allows their classmates to build their computer expertise by sharing what they have learned.

Give them a map!
Just as you would provide directions for classroom activities, students need clear guidelines for their Internet lessons. Whether you provide the basics to get started or step-by-step directions, keep students focused on the lesson goals to prevent getting lost in Cyberworld.

When? What? What else?
Create a project timeline to establish deadlines for various portions of the project. Depending on the assignment, you may want to set deadlines for various portions of the project in addition to a final due date. Timelines keep the students focused on the project and help you identify those students who are lagging behind.

Keep them focused!
Graphic organizers are a great tool to keep students focused on the task at hand. Concept maps, webs, and other organizers (S.C.O.R.E. or Butterfly sample) provide insights into student learning and allows educators to identify areas that need developed.
Recording thoughts and information in a WWW Travel Journal allows students to keep track of the facts they discover and provides a great tool for educators to assess their online efforts.

T. Trimpe 2000