ERIC Number: ED239614
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984
Pages: 2
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Computers on Wheels.
Rosemead Elementary School District, CA.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: How does a school provide the computer learning experiences for students given the paucity of available funding for hardware, software, and staffing? Here is what one school, Emma W. Shuey in Rosemead, did after exploratory research on computers by a committee of teachers and administrators. The computers come to the students! Computers are on three mobile carts--one carrying an Apple IIe, the second a Commodore 64, and the third holding six Commodore VIC-20 machines linked to a disk drive. Room was not available for a computer lab or the staffing for such a lab; thus, the necessity for placing computers on "wheels." Student assistants from the 5th and 6th grades roll out the computers from the library each morning to various classes. The program started with the 5th and 6th graders getting familiar with both the operation of each computer and its supporting software. These students now serve as a cadre of tutors to help those in the lower grades. The use of lightweight earphones allows each computer user aural feedback without disturbing other students in the same classroom. The educational goal is to give each student in the school repeated opportunities for learning experiences on the computer. In addition to becoming proficient in basic computer operations, computer-assisted instruction is being accomplished in various subject areas. Starting with the 5th and 6th graders in October, the program expanded to include 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders in January. There have also been community computer nights providing parents and friends with the opportunity to visit the classroom and share their children's learning experiences. In addition, a computer club meets twice a week learning some basics in programing. This computer program--one that sends the computers to the students--has worked very smoothly. Enthusiasm runs high with both students and teachers. Looking to the future, the computer committee seeks to enrich this program even further. This document was selected by the Association of California School Adminstrators (ACSA) Task Force on Public Confidence as descriptive of a promising practice or exemplary project worthy of highlighting for the California educational community. (Author)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Rosemead Elementary School District, CA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A