Chapter 1: Rethinking Computers and Instruction

1.  Must I use a inquiry-based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool?
It is not necessary to use only an inquiry-based learning approach in a classroom to use computers as a tool.  Al the the learning approaches that were described under the open-ended learning environments are great learning styles to incorporate computers as a tool.  The three styles, problem-based, inquiry-based, and project-based learning, all require that there is a problem that the students should be able to research and compile data to solve.  I feel like computers could be used in the classroom for any kind of learning approach, but that they would work best with open-ended learning approaches.


2.  Can I still use tutorials and drill-and-practice software?
I believe that there is always room in the classroom to use tutorials and drill-and-practice software; however, one would want to be sure that they are using these materials in the correct way.  Even though these learning approaches work in ways for the students to come to their own conclusions, sometimes it is still necessary for the teacher to model to the students.  I think that tutorials and drill-and-practice software is a great way to do this.  The teacher would just want to make sure that he/she was only using this software for small portion of the class time and then return to student-centered learning.


3.  Won't I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction?
As with learning anything new, developing these units of instruction will of course take more time than the traditional lesson plan.  I think that it would be important to look at the traditional lesson plans that are already created and see if there are ways to implement the NTeQ features into those lesson plans.  Once these units of instruction are created, it will be easier to use the same unit in the future.  Each time that the unit is re-used, new ideas can be placed into the lesson.


4.  Won't every student need a computer to use it as a tool?
Wouldn't it be great for every classroom to have a computer for every student?  There are many other ways that a classroom could use a computer as a tool without there always being a computer for every student.  Students could be placed into groups to complete projects; however, it is important for the students to have assigned duties within the group.  Without these assigned duties, some students may just sit back and watch as all the work is  "done for them."  Some computer-advanced students may also use this time to help less computer-advanced students learn new programs on the computer.  At the school I work in, there are only 2 computers in every room.  Students must share these 2 computers for any computer related work.  However; there are 2 laptop carts that are shared between grade levels.  Classes sign up for a time to have the carts, during that time, each student has his/her own laptop to work with.


Lowther, D., & Morrison, G. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom. Pearson Education, Inc