Tips on Computers in the Classroom and Going Wireless
Media and Methods

Wireless computing enables students to have technology at their fingertips when they need it, "just in time," rather than having technology be an event relegated to a certain time in a lab situation.

The technology becomes like a pencil. It is simply there when students need it to accomplish their academic tasks-in the classroom or anywhere on the school campus. What follows are tips on what you can do with a wireless set up in your school and in your classes.

Going Wireless in Special Education

Mae Johnson, special education teacher, uses her wireless laptop cart every day of the week. The cart stores and charges many laptops that students use in her classes. In a lesson on banking basics, students click on websites that provide tips on writing checks (www.aboutchecking.com). Students get involved in conducting banking activities such as using savings and checking accounts. In a history/geography project, students use the laptops to research a selected American state, along with an important historical figure. They create a small report about the state and the chosen person. Students also learn how to make a simple PowerPoint presentation showing their findings. These PowerPoint presentations include statistics about their chosen state, photos of the historical figure and general information on cities within the chosen state.

Mae Johnson teaches special education classes at Cedar Shoals High School in the Clarke County School District in Athens, GA.