Tech Tips for Teachers

1. ONLINE texts (vs. CD text or paper text)

Many of my students had slowdowns and/or difficulties with online texts (Holt Rinehart Winston) and the online version did not (because of copyright law) include some of the pictures, reproductions, etc. The slowdowns and difficulties came with network outages both at FRA and on the host site, student connection problems, bandwidth limitations at home. The online text was also substantially different in format and students couldn't navigate as easily from one part of text to another.

I suggest a thorough evaluation of online texts, or a CD text or a classroom set of paper texts and ALWAYS have a plan B in case of tech issues.

2. There are usually 1-2 tech savvy students that can troubleshoot through rebooting, control panel, or thinking to check the manual internet switch on the side of the machine.

Pretty much have students stay in tablet mode for notetaking - or multitasking will run away with itself - led by Snood

You can reduce paper usage by utilizing share folders. Use the comment tools in word to correct errors and give feedback.

3. Suggestion to keep students on track, parents in the know, and to have all complaining vanish: Post the daily syllabus with class topic and homework for each class for the entire year on your web page. Everyone will know what is happening, where they are going and you will be amazed at how much more information and skills the class can take in, practice and develop.

4. A couple things I did that worked:
a) If I really needed their undivided attention, I made them put their screens down. Just keeping their hands off the keyboard didn't do enough.

b) Periodically, when kids were working on their own, I would say "hands up and turn your screens to me." This way the kids knew that at any moment I would call them out if they were off task.

5. Tips and Tricks to know:
a. No Internet? double-check wireless switch is on (Fujitsu tablets)
b. Can’t print? Make sure the printer is plugged in.  Go to Start, Printers and Faxes, and make sure that your printer says “ready” and it should work.
c. Can’t print at the printer closest to you? If for some reason the printer next to your room, go to Start, Run and //tatooine and double-click another printer on your hall.
d. Misc. Computer Issues? If one or two students have an issue (internet/printing/email/etc) there might not be an issue.  If the whole class can’t do something, then fill out a tech request so we know about it.
e. Random glitch? Reboot.
f. Keep students on task by moving around the room.  Remember they are kids and by moving around while you teach you can help them stay on track.

TECH TIPS AND TEXTBOOK INFO FOR YOUR STUDENTS:

Have your students bookmark the Student Resource page. Here I will keep up to date information for the students when it comes to important items they need to know about their tablet. Currently they will find some important info about their tablet as well as information for how to get their textbooks...click the textbook link for that information. They students will need a username and password.
Username: student
Password: fra