Getting Started with Computer Centers in the Classroom

Where Do I Begin?
Think about the developmental age of the students and how adept they are at using a computer.
o In this day and age, students come to school at all different levels of computer literacy.
! Some can type, others cannot;
! Some can navigate and still others cannot.
Creating your schedule and managing it will depend on the number of computers you have in the classroom.
Even with limited computers, the schedule can still be created, but it will mean less time for the kids to
practice.
After you have made these considerations, use the tips below to get started on scheduling computer time.
Ready, Set, Go?
This step takes time and consideration, so thoughtfully work through each step:
Create a working schedule and post it in the classroom so that they know which day of the week they have
computer time. Divide the number of students by the number of computers and then schedule them evenly.
Place students in a group of mixed ability. They help each other and collaborate. Students of higher ability can
assist a student of lower ability.
Decide whether you can have computer time once or twice a day. Twice a day is preferred. Give blocks of time of
at least fifteen minutes each during morning work, after snack time or during center time where students do not
missing direct instruction.
Post the computer programs or websites that they can use for the day. Set a limit of one or two websites or
programs for the younger students because they tend to navigate back and forth between games, lose focus, and
ultimately, computer time.
Useful Tips for Managing Computer Time
Students should only be able to independently use the computer when they can independently use the keyboard
(use these games) and navigate with the mouse by double clicking.
Have a computer helper, whose job is to dust the computers, check to see that the equipment is properly
maintained, and help a student to navigate if they are stuck.
Do not use computer time as a reward or punishment. Just as you wouldn't tell a child that they could not read
their books, because they were disruptive in the hallway, you do not want to take away this important part of the
curriculum from them. Find another consequence for the misbehavior. You just might find that the disruptive
student may become more focused when he or she has some down time on the computer.
If possible, schedule the time to coordinate when the Paraeducator is with you in case there is a technical glitch
that the helper cannot solve. You don't want to be working with other students and have to keep stopping to fix it.
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lnLroduclng Lhe Mouse
Pere are some ldeas on how Lo lnLroduce Lhe mouse:
Clve a class lnLroducLlon on how Lo hold Lhe mouse. Show Lhem whaL lL looks llke and how lL ls Lo be handled carefully.
lf posslble, pro[ecL a plcLure of a mouse on Lhe screen and work LogeLher Lo label Lhe parLs of Lhe mouse as a class (lefL-
cllck, rlghL-cllck, roller, cord, eLc. (dependlng on parLs), eLc.)
racLlce holdlng Lhe mouse and cllcklng wlLh lndex flnger. use a model of a palr of hands and puL sLars on Lhe lndex
flngers Lo show how Lhe sLarL flnger maLches Lo Lhe sLar buLLon on Lhe mouse Lo show where Lo cllck.
uL a sLar sLlcker on Lhe lefL for younger sLudenLs Lo remlnd Lhem where Lo lefL-cllck. Also lnLroduce Lhe Lerms cllck,
double cllck and drag. Add Lhese words Lo Lhe word wall locaLed near Lhe compuLer work sLaLlon.

LefL hand 8lghL hand
uownload CyberSLarL (hLLp://www.larryloveland.com) Lo your compuLer for drag acLlvlLles. Model how Lo use your
mouse Lo drag and cllck Lhe ob[ecLs on Lhe screen. lL may be Loo baslc for some, dependlng on Lhelr compuLer
experlence. lf so, send sLudenLs Lo oLher recommended slLes Lo pracLlce Lhelr mouse skllls.
Pave sLudenLs aLLempL Lo use Lhe mouse durlng Lhe lesson and/or send Lhem Lo use Lhe slLe on Lhelr own aL Lhe
compuLer worksLaLlon.
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WebslLe lnformaLlon
Chlcken SLacker - hLLp://pbsklds.org/llons/games/sLacker.hLml SLudenLs selecL words wlLh Lhe correcL
vowel sound.
luzzy Llon Lars - hLLp://pbsklds.org/llons/games/ears.hLml lnlLlal Sound
ounce! - hLLp://pbsklds.org/llons/games/pounce.hLml SelecL word LhaL Lhe llon says.
A8Cu WaLermelon - hLLp://pbsklds.org/llons/games/abcd.hLml AlphabeLlc order
8lendlng 8owl - hLLp://pbsklds.org/llons/games/blendlng.hLml Word lamlly
uppy LeLLers -
hLLp://pbsklds.org/cllfford/games/lndex_puppyleLLers.hLml
LeLLer ldenLlflcaLlon - urag and urop
LeLLers
Llmo 8hymes -
hLLp://pbsklds.org/lsland/prevlew/gameprevlew.hLml?sesame-
elmorhymes
8hymlng
www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html
A varleLy of llLeracy games.