Artfully
Integrating the AlphaSmart
Kevin McGonegal
:: Technology Integration Specialist :: Cambridge Public Schools
Teacher Led
Classroom Technology Integration Conference
April 13 2002
NEW!!!
Thanks for making
the workshop a success! Here are the AlphaSmart Brainstorms you
came up with:
Ideas from K-3 Teachers
- Take outside to another spot and type what is observed- silently
exercise the senses and record.
- Round robin storymaking, whole class editing for class story,
jounrnal, etc.
- Kids interviewing others.
- First graders using them for creating senteces, helping each
other with spelling.
- Comment on digital pictures.
- Science observations.
- Keep a class journal.
Ideas from 4-8 Teachers
- Authentic keyboard practice.
- Use photographs as story prompts. Students write dialog
for the photos.
- Alphasmarts with digital cameras on field trips. In classroom,
import the picture stories and talk about the trip.
- Electronic yearbook with camcorder, alphasmarts.
- Students run own store and use alphasmarts to write own story
problems.
- Use it for chain stories where participants write and pass
the story.
- Response to direct instruction questions. Way to evaluate
that all are involved and understand.
- Use get utility to obtain Internet text for use in group
or individual work.
- Interviews.
- Take the writing outside.
Ideas from Administrators and Others
- Keyboarding: Story writing, writer's workshop, editing, publishing.
- Math programs,How the West was One, Math Arena.
- Full Inclusion/Special needs keyboarding, writing, spelling,
math, modified assignments.
- Net, researching.
- Trading Cards, author, personal.
- Small groups and full class (hooked up to the T.V.).
- Use alongside digital camera photos, slide shows.
Resources:
- AlphaSmart's official website includes an interactive "Community Center,"
a lively place on the web to read about what other educators
are doing with their AlphaSmarts, and to share your own ideas.
www.alphasmart.com
- AlphaSmart: A Success in an Inclusive
Classroom by Kavita Taneja: Read how
one teacher uses the AlphaSmart to address the needs of his students
with varying learning styles and abilities. www.TCNJ.EDU/~technj/2000/curriculum.html