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Have you been hesitating to introduce technology into your classroom because you think your tech-savvy students know so much more than you do? Today’s the day to conquer that fear with some easy lessons that even a newbie can teach -- and learn from! Included: Five lessons for teaching -- and learning -- about using technology in the classroom.

Often, teachers who didn’t grow up with computers express reluctance to teach technology to their students. "They already know more than I do!"is a frequently heard lament. But is it true? Sure, many kids today know more about how to play online games and download the latest music than their teachers do, but do they really know all they need to know about the basics of computer use? Can they select the correct text styles for a business letter, change fonts to style different pages in a written report, conduct a directed Internet search, correctly evaluate Web site reliability, or use even a fraction of the computer tools at their disposal? Many cannot. And if you don’t teach them, who will?

It’s time to take your students back to the basics of computer use. And, however new you are to technology, this week’s lessons will help you do just that.

FIVE LESSONS FOR TEACHING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY

This week, Education World provides five lessons about technology. Click each of the headlines below for a complete teaching resource. (Appropriate grade levels for each lesson appear in parentheses.)

What’s Inside My Computer?
Students draw a picture of what they think a computer looks like inside. Then they explore more. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, advanced)

Mousing Around
Practice using a mouse and complete a mouserobics scavenger hunt. (Grades PreK, K-2, 3-5)

Word Processing Can Be Lots of Font!
A fun poem activity helps reinforce basic word processing skills. (Grades 3-5, 6-8)

Finding Your Way in the World Wide Web
A fun grouping activity teaches about databases. Then students test kid-friendly search engines to find the best one. (Grades 3-5, 6-8)

There’s a Monster in My E-Mail!
In this simple collaborative e-mail project, students make new friends as they practice their drawing, writing, and computer skills. (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)

ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

• PowerPoint -- Creating Classroom Presentations
• Back to School Technology Activities
• K-12 Technology Activities that Work
• That's the Way the Cookie Tumbles
• Excel-lent Middle School Math Lessons
• Web Cams Bring Lessons to Life
• Encourage Student Writing -- Publish on the Web
• Using Digital Cameras in the Classroom
• Digital Divide Project
• Computer Skills Lesson Plans
• K-6 Technology Lessons
• Kent School District K-6 Technology Lesson Plans
• CyberSmart K-8 Technology Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets
• K-12 Computer and Technology Lesson Plans
• Technology Lesson Plans for Grades 1-5
• Computer and Internet Lesson Plans
• Best Practices of Technology Integration
• Technology Lessons
• Technology Lessons and Projects
• CIESE Collaborative Projects

Article by Linda Starr
Education World®
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