Computer Projectors, Part I

Some lucky teachers have computer projectors in their classrooms. Most, however, have access to a projector cart, usually outfitted with a laptop or connection to the classroom computer. Either way, computer projectors have terrific potential to increase student participation and engagement. Students enjoy seeing things on a large scale, and if it's their work, even better. Here are some ways you can integrate projector use into your teaching.

The Word Processor: All classroom computers are supplied with a word processor, and can be used in conjunction with a projector to transform those inevitable, routine, lecture-based lessons into "silent lessons." Simply open up your word processing program, and start typing. Don't actually speak at all, and look around the room. It's quite the attention-getter!


Some topics I've taught about with this "silent" method include grammar, reading review, spelling, and history and science review. Math becomes a bit challenging once you require more advanced symbols, but it can be done. Ask students open-ended questions, and require students to perform certain actions rather than raise their hands (below), and have them type their answer on the computer themselves!


Google Earth: Chances are, your students are already familiar with the recent addition to the Google software series. A plethora of detailed satellite images from around the world and the Solar System are compiled into an excellent program that allows you to search for a geographic area or a specific address, and then access corresponding images. I guarantee that students will want to view images of their school, or homes.

The Egyptian Pyramids, Copyright 2008, Digital Globe

Try replacing your 2-D classroom maps with Google Earth when you're teaching geography and history. Show your students the actual routes explorers took; view geographical features (even Antarctica close-up) as they really are. Please keep in mind, however, that these images aren't in real-time.

Google Earth also offers views of Space! Give your students access to constellations, other galaxies, and other inter-planetary matter. Descriptions of these images are also available. Look for a small icon on the upper toolbar, that features an image of Saturn, and click to switch the current view between sky and Earth.

Mastering the Search Engine: Google

Have you ever typed in a description of something you're desperate to find online, and encountered a long list of websites that have nothing to do with what you're looking for? It's a widespread problem, and intimidates many people from freely exploring the Internet.

Search engines are like our brains; they process information differently. Your job is to find the search engine whose "brain" thinks like yours. Today, I'd like to introduce you to Google, and offer some quick, easy tips you can use to search the Internet easily, and find exactly what you're looking for.

It is sometimes necessary to use special symbols to find what you're looking for when using Google. If you're going "ideas shopping," and you're new to new ideas (for example, below I was looking for information on teaching multiplication), go ahead and type a very short description of what you need without any special symbols.

Here, I typed teaching kids to multiply in the search box, and Google was able to find 173,000 websites that contain the words "teaching," "kids," and "multiply" at least once. Unfortunately, I don't have time to navigate 173,000 websites, so I need to try something different.

Tip #1, Using Quotation Marks to Narrow a Search
If you're looking for a specific topic or method, try putting it between quotation marks. Let's say I need ideas for teaching times tables, so I type "teaching times tables" into the search box. Here's what I got from Google:

Google has collected a list of websites that contain the phrase "teaching times tables" and apparently there are 1,020 websites available. While 1,020 is still a bit overwhelming, I'll probably find what I'm looking for within the first 10 websites on the list, because I'm searching for a very specific phrase (by using quotation marks).

Tip #2, Similar Pages
Let's say you've found a really interesting website on Google, and you're looking for additional websites similar to the one you've found. Part of the Google entry of the website that you are interested in is a "Similar Pages" link. Clicking on this will produce a list of websites that contain similar keywords, or subjects to the website you've chosen.

Tip #3, Cached Websites
Have you ever thought you've found a website containing just what you wanted, only to visit the website and that little snippet of information is buried beneath pages and pages of other information? It's a bit like finding a needle in a haystack! Believe it or not, Google has conquered this too. Try clicking on "Cached," and Google will highlight the search words you initially entered into their search box, on the desired website. This makes it very simple to quickly scan the document for the highlighted words, and quickly find the information you need.

Next time you're on Google, looking for teaching ideas, worksheets, games, lesson plans, etc., try using these tricks, and you will save time and effort, and find what you're looking for.

First Post, Introduction

Is there anything better for communication than a good introduction? I'm glad you've found me, brainstorming away in my little corner of the technology world. I'm a recent college grad. specializing in elementary education, substitute teacher, and self-proclaimed techie.

One of the most flattering complement I've received throughout my teaching experiences from other teachers is that I am able to find technologies that keep students engaged, bring information, concepts, and events to students with firsthand, technology enhanced learning experiences. On the other hand, I've also heard teachers say that it's difficult to use technology if you didn't grow up using technology, and that it's often easier to use traditional paper/pencil teaching methods as to avoid the "inevitable" disasters that technology promises.

But just because the traditional paper/pencil teaching methods may work for you, just imagine what could happen with a little technology integration! Yes, those technology disasters do happen. Yes, trying to tackle all of the programs on your classroom computer is difficult. I suggest squeezing in one tip, one website, one method at a time, determining if this little, tiny change is beneficial, and either building upon the small change, or starting over.

When was the last time you sat at your computer and just explored the programs offered to you? Stopped into the technology storage closet for something other than a television? When was the last time you got a headache just trying to find something on a search engine?

This blog, this collection of technology tips and tricks, will be varied and will accommodate a full range of computer skill levels. I want to help you get your class to the computer lab more often, tackle that classroom computer, hunt for quality internet-based learning resources, use that technology resource room, overhaul your teacher web page, create a class blog, and much much more; and I'm really excited about it!

My goal is to update at least once weekly, and I already have a running list of topics I'd like to discuss, so stop by weekly for a bit of Teacher Tech!