This is true for many of us. I personally have not had a decent working projector in my classroom until two weeks ago! I am at the top middle school in my district, and I had to beg and plead for months just to get my projector fixed. Despite our lack of available technology, our students still need to learn how to use emerging technologies. Technology can also intrinsically motivate students and provide the vital assistance that struggling learners need. So what can we do with our limited resources? We may only have one computer or a television and VCR, but there are still some ways that we can use technology to teach and motivate our students.
Ways to Incorporate Simple Technology Tools
Tablet - I bring my personal tablet for using different Apps in the classroom and for noting class behavior and progress while monitoring the class. While using my tablet rather than my computer, I can constantly move around the classroom without having to be at my desk.
Airplay - If you school doesn’t block it, there is an Apple Application called Airplay which can broadcast your actions from your Ipad to a computer. If your computer is connected to a projector, you can display your actions, applications, etc. for your students from your iPad.
Whole-Class WebQuests - If you have a projector connected to your computer, you can perform WebQuests together as a class. You can break it up by visiting and exploring the digital resources as a class and then having students complete learning activities associated with what you are viewing.
Whole-Class Software - The same thing can work for software as for with WebQuests. I can see this being very useful in elementary school with spelling, vocabulary and other types of interactive software.
Stations (learning centers) - I have found this to be my favorite way to use the technology in my classroom. I am lucky now to have 4 computers as of 2 weeks ago, but I have always just had 1 to work with. If I find a unique or worthwhile online activity or if I plan a project that requires technology, I will have the students work in stations where they can all eventually have a turn at the station with the computer(s).
Other Ideas - You could also potentially have a whole-class project, such as a Wiki, where students take turns using the computer to collaborate. If you do an inventory of what technology students have available at home, you could assign technology tasks and projects for homework. If you want to incorporate blogging in your classroom, you could assign students to blogging groups where they take turns blogging and sharing with the class.
Personal Experience
In addition to my incorporation of the above ideas, primarily with technology stations, there are a few other ways I have utilized technology in my classroom. When using the software for an interactive and inquiry based scientific exploration called “The Great Ocean Rescue”, we realized that we did not have enough computers to allow the students to work in teams, as the program intends. My team of teachers decided to go through the task software as a whole class and break it up into segments so each team of students could still complete the activities on their own.
Most schools also have at least one media center or lab with computers. Unfortunately, these computers are becoming more frequently used for testing purposes. If you try to book these labs, you may not be able to reserve very much time in them. That makes it important to prepare students for the activities or projects prior to visiting the computer labs to ensure the best possible use of your time. Screencasts of instructions can be created prior to the lab time so that students can be prepared for what they will be doing. See the video below for a brief tutorial on a screencast tool you can use in your classroom.
Resources
Images: Hicks, Mark. (2012). Discovery Education Clip-Art Gallery. [Web source]. Retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/.
Video: tyroneshum (Feb 23, 2011). How to Record a Screen Capture of Your Computer: Screencast-O-Matic. [Web video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUzW_de20I.