It was nice to find out that many colleagues had similar experiences and similar opinions about ones computer classrooms and computer labs. We all agree that computer labs are very useful but we also know that some times and with some specific activities one computer a projector can be more effective. It is a matter of planning and considering what is better for our students, having the activity in the computer lab or using the projector in the class. The computer lab allows students to work at their own pace and learn from their mistakes but it can also provide distractions such as the Internet or computer games. Using the projector in class gives you the ability to make students focus on one thing only but they may not be able to interact with the activity individually.
To sum up, computer labs and one computer classrooms have their advantages and disadvantages but we as teachers can maximize the benefits of any of them with creativity and good planning.
Jota
Dear Jota,
ReplyDeleteWe must be proud of ourselves because there are people who only study or only work, or even none of them; however we are working, some of us in different places and we are studying too, thanks to the scholarship granted by the University of Oregon, we can be sure that we are being better professionals.
The effectiveness of a class depends not only about the materials that we use in a class, but how prepared the teacher is, and how can he/she manage the class; of course that all of this is easier when teachers are training permanently and that is our case, and when teachers are creative enough as you say.
Regards;
Loly