Peter Russell / Pipalyatjara Anangu School         AES Conference / Alice Springs / June 2000

The computer investment in schools on the Pitjantjatjara Lands is immense.

What return can be documented for this large outlay of funds - can we justify the investment in proven learning outcomes for students?

Current uses of computers in the classroom - discussion

• babysitting
• when work is finished
• reward
• play games
• talking books
• finding information
• teaching keyboarding !

Computers supporting the curriculum - ask ourselves:

How are computers integrated into my learning program?

How can computers improve student learning outcomes?

What we already know.

Well documented that Aboriginal students have a fascination for computers.

They are highly motivational for our students.

We suspect that computers if used appropriately could improve student learning outcomes significantly but we are unsure how to do this.

Supporting the class program

The best way to start is to look at the focus areas in our class program and determine how we can use the computer to support what we currently do.

What packages / software can support literacy for our students?

What do the students need to know / learn?

• alphabet sounds
• blends
• sentence structures
• grammar

Choosing appropriate software.

COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING (CAL)

• ATTRACTIVE GRAPHICS / INTRUSIVE GRAPHICS - MICKY MOUSE SOFTWARE
• CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
• CLEAR SCREEN DISPLAYS - FONTS
• CLEARLY DESIGNATED LEARNING OUTCOMES
• MATCHES STUDENTS' NEEDS / LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT
• RECORDS INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS OF STUDENT

COMPUTER AS A TOOL (OPEN ENDED - IT ?)

• EASY TO LEARN TO USE - INTUITIVE
• MULTI - USE

Where do teachers get the time to evaluate the vast amount of software available?

Try before you buy - no alternative / do not believe the reviews / a guide only.

Check out what other schools are using.

Evaluate yourself : How does this support my program?

Is there value for the outlay? $$$$

Using the Computer as a Tool for Learning

The word processor

Multimedia processors - Talking TextEase

Spreadsheets

Databases

The teacher determines the activities that students will do on the computer.

Students are instructed on the use of the computer.

• Mouse skills - hardly necessary!
• Turning computer on and off - PROCEDURES NEED TO BE EXPLICITLY TAUGHT
• Saving, creating directories, etc
• Students are taught how to use specific software / hardware incl. digital cameras, scanners, etc in context. (built in as part of a unit of work)

Student access to computers is managed inside the class program.

Student work on the computer is assessed and reported on in the same way as other work.

Implications

How to manage: with only two/three computers in the room?

                            access and equity / boys & girls?

Using the Computer Room? Do we really need one?

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