EducationPlanner as a Computer Lab Activity

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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:

Understand your school's computer system.

Computer problems can slow down the lab activity, limit the amount of material that you cover, and be frustrating for both you and the students. Consider these issues in the planning process:

  • How reliable is your school's computer system?
  • Can students sign on and access the internet quickly?
  • Do you have problems with server speed?
  • If using laptops, will you need to recharge them between lab activities?
  • Is your wireless internet access reliable?
Figure out how much time you have.

The amount of time you have available determines how much material you can cover in each lab activity. Give some thought to the following:

  • How long is a class period?
  • How many class periods can you dedicate to exploring EducationPlanner?
  • What topics are essential to cover considering the time available?
Identify your students.

The make up of the students in each lab activity can help you determine the best way to construct each lesson plan. Ask yourself:

  • What is the general reading level of the students?
  • What is the level of computer literacy and keyboarding skills of the students?
  • What is the most appropriate material to cover for the grade you are working with?
Recruit your colleagues.

Getting buy-in from your colleagues adds credibility to lab activity you want to conduct with students. Identify the following:

  • Which teachers may be willing to give up instructional time so that their students can explore EducationPlanner?
  • Do you want to make the lab activity part of a regular class, such as English, Reading, or Guidance, or do you plan to take students out of the classroom?
  • Is it possible to make the lab activity a required computer class?

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:

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.

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