I’d like to hear from any teachers/parents that have been using AlphaSmarts for instruction in the classroom. I have to give a presentation about them at an upcoming technology fair in August and just wanted to hear about some other ways (other than the ways that I’ve used them) that teachers have found to use the AlphaSmart.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Ann
Teachers Using Alphasmarts
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I like your idea of writing a round robin story. I received two AlphaSmarts for my resource room last year through a grant, but then my principal ordered ten for the school. There are now enough for me to use with an entire group of six or so. We have only used them to write stories, paragraphs etc. and to publish class books. The kids are so much more willing to write when the AlphaSmarts are out. I have also taught two 5th graders the correct fingering on the keyboard by using the Diana King method —her book is available through Educators Publishing Service. The school AlphaSmarts came with the other program you mentioned but I haven’t used it yet. How do you use that in your program? What age level do you work with? I work with elementary and will be talking (I think) to elementary teachers. Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
AW
Re: Teachers Using AlphaSmart 3000
Do a google search and you will get some great ideas for technology integration using the AlphaSmart. It’s very common to find that students are more motivated to write using this device. How do students improve their writing? One prerequisite is that they write! Check ou this website for some ideas but the google search will really help you. http://www.irvingisd.net/alphasmart/Integration_Ideas2.pdf
I also use Diane Hanbury King’s Keyboarding Skills method whenever I teach keyboarding and have had great success with that method. When I use it, I talk with the student to see how motivated they are to learn to touch type and I tell them that it will take about 30 days of daily practice(at least 5 times a week for 10 minutes). If they are willing to make that committment then we begin. I also supplement it with some free online typing games that I have found.
The Get Utility tool is quite valuable because it allows you to word process on your home or school computer and send the info to your student’s AlphaSmarts. Saves time and gives the kids feedback from you.
Ann,
Your request is a little tricky because you didn’t tell us how YOU are currently using the AlphaSmart 3000.
The versatility of the AS3000 for all students is incredible although it can help to remove the barriers to written output for students with written expression issues. The obvious answer is as an extremely portable, very durable, very easy to learn word processing tool.
For kids with attentional issues who get distracted by all the tools and icons on the computer, the AS is a straightforward tool - you record your thoughts, only four lines of text are seen, end of discussion. All editing is done on the computer.
To introduce the AS to a class, I like to have the kids try a Round Robin type of activity. One person starts a story or you give them a story starter. Each student in the group adds a sentence and then they send it to the computer (wirelessly if you have IR which the kids think is very cool) print it and read the stories. They can be quite creative!
Do you know about the applets that are available and the Get Utility tool? Have you seen the Dana by AlphaSmart? When you teach your course, let them know that a new AS is coming out this summer called the NEO which is about the same price. Go to the website - www.alphasmart.com to get more information.