How to Be Fair and Share

    At St. Johns School when it comes to technology we have a team based approach.  The reality is we have limited technology resources. Within our Cycle 1 team ( 3 classes) we share 5 macbook laptops, 1 Smartboard, and 2 projectors.  This is how we share the technology that we have in our school:

1) Train all members of your cycle team about the function of each piece of technology, how they should be properly stored and cared for and how to trouble shoot if there are problems. (i.e. remember to plug in the laptops even while using them  if you can so the next person will have use of a charged computer.  Take good care of the computers…. Train your kids to not to use food or drink near them.. Have clean hands when using the computers….etc.)

2) Be flexible with your technology lesson plans;

• Plan as a team in advance about what you want to do and when you want to do it (i.e. “I'd like to do a lesson today before recess - could I use two of your computers?”…. “Sure, that works -I'll use them after recess”).
• Communicate freely (“No, that doesn't work - I had planned to use them before recess but you could have them later”.)

3) Support each other.  At our school we are willing and eager to demonstrate how the technology should be set up and used in the classroom until the teacher is comfortable doing it on their own.

4) Be committed as a team to integrate technology in the classroom.

Teaching Tips

In our school we share a computer lab with the high school. Our computer lab is overbooked and we have come up with our own solution. In our classroom we have found that the easiest method is to introduce a concept to the whole class using the projector. After this demonstration the students then practice individually on a laptop in a small group at a small center.

It is important to remember that limited technology resources is not an excuse to deny our students of necessary skills that they will need in their future. 


article written by the Cycle 1 teachers of St. Johns School.