Something which I have to admit is that since I teach in a 'C' school (A school having both a kinder and a primary section) I have small number of children in class. The number of children range from twenty to twenty seven normally. Thus, organising group work is more 'simple' for me. I try to group children according to the number of children I have in class. Generally, I would opt for four or five groups having four children in each group. But sometimes, due to the number of children, I am forced to put five children in each group instead of four. This setting is maintained throughout the year and thus children are accustomed to work as a group. This makes it easier when I have to organise chidlren to work at their computers.
For Computer Activities
I always opt to have two children on each computer. Let's say I have a Maths lesson. I prepare a set of activities - children either have to work at their computers or at their desks. Those children working at thier computers have different tasks to carry out. In class I have four computers and thus I generally prepare four different tasks. This enables the children to work out more than one exercise and thus practising more the issues tackled during a particular lesson. It enables me also to have back-up activities for the chidlren to work out when they have some free time. Thus, all groups of children working at the computers will be working on four different tasks simulataneously. In all, eight children would be working at their computers. The others would be working at their desks. Then during another lesson, another set of eight children will work at their computers while the rest at their desks.
For Off Computer Activities
According to me, here is where the challenge lies. This due to the fact that children enjoy working at their computers. Thus, those working at their desks might feel a little demotivated. This is where a good teacher's ability comes in. The teacher should create equally interesting activities for those children working at their desks. This, to give children the opportunity to experience the same enthusiasm as the rest of their peers. Games, crossword puzzles, matching tasks etc. are all activities which proved to be very appealing for my class. One particular instance which amazed me this year was when I was doing a lesson on sounding out numbers in Maltese. The groups working at the computers were all very enthusiastic. The rest were disappointed that it was not their turn. But not for long. Because a particular group of children had a tombola game as a group activity. And this group showed great interest in the game. Their enthusiasm really showed! It showed so much that those working at the computers were curious to know what was so interesting about a desk activity! It is through such creative activities that children learn that working at their desks is eqaully interesting as working at their computers. And if children learn this, they will no longer look at the computer activity as a 'luxury' but as another interesting and motivating activity.
So, in my opinion, it all ties down to the teacher's ability to create interesting and motivating activities not only for those working at the computeres but also for those working at their desks.
Obviously, this is all very demanding on the teacher. The teacher has to carefully prepare everything beforehand. But after all, the satisfaction from knowing that I'm doing my very best for the kids is more than enough for me! |
