Even though the county, state, and national education leaders want computers and technology to be integrated into every aspect of a student’s daily school experience, the reality is that there are not enough computers with internet access to do much of anything.
Currently, there are three computers in my room and only 3 internet connections. Even if I had one or two more computers, I could not connect them to the internet – making it pointless to get more computers. There are plenty of computers in the computer lab but I can only take my kids there once a week for 30 minutes. Which isn’t enough time to do anything worth while. The students go there twice a week with the librarian but again it is only for 35 minutes and she has her own assignments.
What I need is about 5 to 8 computers that are available at all times for kids to use as resources to do the things I and they plan. For example, many of the tools and ideas listed on this blog. If things stay the way they are, we will not be doing any of the things on this blog because there is not enough time and it is not fair to the kids to make them do something that I know they won’t have time to complete.
I have been told numerous that there is no way to get more than 3 internet connections in my room because they do not splice like a phone or cable line. However, I have discovered this is not totally accurate.
A friend of mine who is an IT guy said I could hook up a wireless router for only $59. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Netgear-Super-G-Wireless-Router-with-4-Port-Switch-WGT624NA/sem/rpsm/oid/86260/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
The router will give me unlimited internet access to laptop computers and it will give me three extra internet connections for wires – so instead of having only 3, I’ll have 6.
So, what I am thinking of doing is using the laptops in the building that are never used. Also, this allows me to set up the laptop anywhere in the room when I want to use the LCD projector and whiteboard. Before I was limited by wire length and location. I could also see if any students have any old laptops lying around and see if they could donate them. Or I could have students bring in their own laptops to work on during designated times during the day. This would require a lot of thinking to work out the logistics because I don’t want to be responsible for anything getting broken. But as long as students and parents know the laptops are not to be used for playing games, but for work only, I think it is a possible option. A new Dell commercials have students bringing in their laptops to do presentations in class. I will have to think this one through with the help of Mrs. Ayre and Mr. Ubbens.
