This example from the PEEL CD-ROM illustrates
Teaching for Quality Learning Principle 3:
Provide opportunities for choice and independent decision-making.

---

Here are ten simple classroom activities using the computer that don’t involve playing games! They are activities that fit naturally into the everyday learning environment of the classroom. They use the computer as a tool that actively involves the children in the learning and thinking taking place. Try them! THEY WORK!

1. Story Mapping using PowerPoint.

PowerPoint offers students an opportunity to create story maps in an interesting and motivating format. Children focus on the details and sequence of main events in the text and create one slide for each important episode in the story. Text can be added if children wish with illustrations being imported from clip art, created in paint, scanned from the text or from hand drawn images. The challenge of then reading and recording the text and animating text and images engages children in an otherwise routine task.

2. Using excel to create a Plot Profile

Children first identify the main events in the story. It can be a picture storybook or novel. Each event is allocated a code eg A, B, C etc. Children evaluate each event on a scale of 1 to 10 with regard to ‘excitement’. This data is then entered into Excel and a line graph created that tracks the development and structure of the plot. Children have a pictorial view of the way an author develops a story as a starting point for discussion and comparison.

3. Character webs (Literary Sociograms)

Character webs can be created in a number of programs including Word but the easiest tool to use is probably Inspiration. This program allows children to easily create links between characters and to insert information about the relationships between them. It allows the use of different shapes, sizes and colours to indicate major and minor characters and the changing relationships between them. It allows the insertion of graphics easily and quickly and neatly creates a simple web for children to build upon. The advantage of using Inspiration is the simplicity of recording and representing information as this frees up the children to concentrate on their thinking.

4. Creating a data chart in Word

Children are bombarded with vast amounts of information when researching a topic and need a quick and easy method of sifting through it and identifying the parts that are needed. Setting up a table in Word using suitable headings allows children to note take in an easy format.

5. Creating an automatic update graph using Excel

An automatic update graph is one that shows information immediately as it is input into cells in Excel. Children are able to compare their own personal data with a ‘norm’ as their data is graphed alongside the already recorded data. This can be used for such things as: comparing the rainfall children measured for this week with the accepted average rainfall for this time of the year, or the number of foods from each food group that a particular child consumed as compared with the recommended daily requirements. It is an instant picture of the comparative data. To create this:

· Enter headings for data into cells A1 and B1 eg. Average rainfall and Measured rainfall for 23/8/99

· Enter data of ‘norm’ into cells A2 etc

· Highlight cells A2 and B2 down to end of data (You highlight your data and also corresponding empty cells alongside)

· Create a column graph using the chart wizard (Your graph will show the ‘norm’ data and have an empty column)

· Children enter data into cells B2 etc and this data will automatically appear as the information is recorded.

· Graphs can then be printed for a permanent record of children’s individual data and the sheet reused if children do not save changes.

6. Using Inspiration to map children’s prior knowledge at the beginning of a unit of work.

Inspiration provides a tool for creating a web that organises children’s thoughts at the start of a unit of work. Start from the topic under discussion and use a code to add thoughts, information, ideas and questions. For example red for the things I KNOW, blue for things I THINK I know but need to check, yellow for my opinions about the topic and green for any questions I would like answered as we go. It is a pictorial record that is very easy to use and clarifies thinking.

7. Sorting of information using a mini data base created in Excel.

Children can create a mini database under headings quite simply in Excel. Headings are entered across the top and down the first column and information entered as into a data chart. The information can be sorted and sifted using the SORT command. The database can be created using topics such as planets, sea creatures or even book characters. It is then possible to sort them in order of size or to sort out those with similarities.

8. Using the Internet as a task centre activity during reading work shops.

At the Early Years enters the middle primary school area teachers are looking for appropriate tasks that challenge, extend and develop reading skills in children. Suitable sites when located on the World Wide Web can be used for children to locate and make judgements about information. A site with information about various animals, a place or a period in history can be presented and children asked to locate five NEW facts or to identify the most important piece of information and then to justify their choice.

9. Creating an animated story book for younger children.

Children enjoy writing for a purpose and love to create and share work with younger children. PowerPoint or KidPix both provide a ready tool for creating animated storybooks that can be shared with Prep or Year 1 children. After writing their stories they can be published, animated and voices recorded onto the slides. The simplicity of the tools makes it easy for still fairly young children to create colourful and attractive work that they can be proud of.

10. Publication of anything!!

Children love to create something they can be proud of. The use of a computer allows ALL children to create something that is bright and attractive. Not all children at this stage (or any stage!) have mastered the arts of layout, handwriting or illustration but the computer overcomes these obstacles. It is a very motivating tool for those less capable students as they experience success.