This is a document for teachers who have no experience and have a "block" about getting their k-12 students on computer:
Basic steps for implementing HIVES in an elementary to middle school setting
1.Acquire a lab or lab time: The first step to implementing interactive virtual environments is to sign up for lab time at routine intervals or acquire a lab or mini lab of one's own. Commit to it, and know you will figure out how to utilize the technology best with your students over time. Even if you are unfamiliar and uncomfortable, learning how to utilize computers begins with committing a regular block of time and “wading in the water” step by step.
Acquiring a mini lab of one's own is not as difficult as it sounds, many teachers have solicited businesses, government and local individuals to acquire donated hardware. Donated computers can be run on Ubuntu Linux as an operating system, open office and firefox for no cost. Acquiring a mini lab
is sometimes the best solution if one works in an underfunded school district.
2.Take some time to explore and obtain a list of sites that are appropriate for your students: Google “technology blogs”, “education blogs”, “internet learning sites” and any other keywords that will help you find lists of links for your needs. One could devote a large amount of time to this search. One should devote a small to medium amount of time to the first part of this search and find some sites to begin with, not necessarily for the whole school year. One will discover more sites and methods in the course of using beginning sites because of links, comments and colleagues. You will find this to be true. Almost all computer experts are self taught and started with a little knowledge and some curiousity only.
3.Frontload whatever your activity you have planned: Print screenshots of the sites you intend to go to. Circle the links and items they need to select to interact with the site on these printouts. Talk to the students and let them know the purpose of what you are doing (learning more math, learning computers, etc.) Let them know that you will be as helpful as you can, but computers are about finding clues, reading directions and figuring out what to do on your own. It is helpful to remind the students that it is simply impossible for you to show them every click and this is an opportunity for them to take charge of their learning. Computers were made for it.
Depending on the grade level and the computer experience of the students, you may need to teach very basic computer interactions, such as opening applications and navigating browser windows. Elementary students are motivated to try navigating computer and can be done with young elementary students if the teacher is respectful of their level of ability.
4.Introduce your class to some simple skills: Your journey into interactive virtual worlds should be done at a comfortable pace. There are a few ways to go into the lab, do something simple and appropriate for your age group which leaves teacher ands student feeling confident. These are some typical ways some go about introducing themselves and the class:
-drill/skill practice websites: math skills, spelling skills, reading comprehension, mouse skills and much more can be found on the web
-letter writing practice Use a word processor to write a simple friendly or business letter. Models can be fond on the internet.
-teacher led blog interactions: You post on a blog a website they do a worksheet on for one example. See http://littclass0910.wordpress.com for more examples.
-history simulation game websites:Play a history simulation game online for an era of history you are studying
-simple student to whole class writing/ blog sharing: Sign up with edublog or kid blog for a simpler interface and have the students write and publish to each other and the web.
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