TECHNOLOGY
FOR THE BUSY
PRIMARY TEACHER
The Internet can take learning beyond the walls of your primary classroom. Even the the youngest students can benefit from technology in the classroom. There are 5 basic ways to involve primary students in using the Internet: communication, collaboration, publishing, interactive learning, and virtual field trips. The following suggestions will help you to use the Internet efficiently and effectively.
Communication
Teachers and students can communicate with other classes
from around the world. The most widely used part of the Web is e-mail.
Collaboration
Enhance the learning experience through telecollaborative
projects. Join an ongoing project or learn to design your own.
Publishing
Many online newsletters and web sites are designed
for the express purpose of encouraging students to write. Students can
send in their creative writing and see their work in print. You can also
create a class web page using Composer in Netscape Communicator.
Interactive
learning
Students can practice their skills, test their knowledge,
or contribute their work using one of the many interactive sites. I usually
do not use these sights for actual class instructional time. I use them
mainly for independent enrichment and/or practice. I can e-mail these sites
as links to individual students who have Internet access at home.
Barnyard Buddies -
Race to the Barn Game
Virtual
Field Trips
Virtual field trips provide the opportunity to visit
places the class physically can't visit. They also provide a good preview
for places you might be visiting. These trips give background, the opportunity
for discussion, and sometimes interaction. The sites usually need to be
visited as a whole group activity since the reading level is usually too
difficult for most primary students. However, primary students will be
able to understand the content after it is explained to them. These sites
need to be shared with the students just like you share a good story book
that is above their reading level. After the class has visited the site
it needs to be bookmarked so students can go back and enjoy the pictures
on their own.
The
Animals at Lincoln Park Zoo!
A Visit
to the Animal Hospital
Plimoth
(Plymouth) Plantation Virtual Tour
Welcome to the
White House for Kids
