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EducationPlanner as a Computer Lab Activity
The EducationPlanner website is so easy to use that most of your students will have no trouble finding the information they need. It may be of benefit, however, to introduce them to EducationPlanner through a directed activity in your school's computer lab. Teachers may also want to use some of the website's features as part of the academic curriculum.
Planning the Activity
Here are some suggestions for planning a directed activity in your computer lab:
Conducting the Activity
Once you are done with the planning, there are a few more things to do to ensure the lab activity goes smoothly:
- Reserve the computer lab and make sure the lab is unlocked before students arrive.
- To save time, wait to take attendance while the students are working in the website.
- Be very familiar with the website before giving instructions. Students are quick to pick up on whether you are unorganized or unprepared.
- Walk around the lab throughout the activity. This makes it easier for students to ask questions and easier for you to maintain control of the class.
- Check frequently to be sure all students are working in the appropriate section of the website.
- Keep one eye on the clock, quickly move things along, and make sure you have enough time remaining to cover all of the material. Time flies when you're in the computer lab, and keeping the activity fast paced will help hold the students' interest.
- Avoid lengthy interruptions and resist the urge to spend extended time with individual students.
- Keep it light and make it fun so students will want to return to the website on their own time.
- Allow conversation to occur as long as the students stay focused, they don't get too loud, and they quickly move on to the next topic when you instruct them to do so. Students will naturally want to talk to each other as they review the website and find things that interest them. They are also very good at helping out a classmate who may have gotten lost along the way.
- Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something or are not totally familiar with a particular part of the website. When put in this situation, encourage students to try to find the answer to the question. This promotes creative thinking, investigation, and problem solving. Many times a student will find the answer and inform the whole class. As a result, you learn from the students, and that is a healthy instructional environment!
Your students are going to enjoy exploring EducationPlanner. By doing an effective job of planning and conducting a high-quality lab activity, you can ensure you've provided a meaningful educational experience for them.
Want to Know More?
- Visit the Site Map to see all that EducationPlanner has to offer your students in once glance.