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One Computer Can REACH
by Tamara Haspels

Classrooms with limited computer access can develop a strategy to take full advantage of the tools they have. Limited resources need not deprive students of the opportunity to make use of these tools to further learning and technical proficiency. With some forethought, each of your students can make full use of the one computer made available to them, as is the case in many classrooms.

The REACH chart is a tool developed by the Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance to assist classrooms with a service-learning project. While planning your service-learning project with the REACH chart, consider the classroom computer at every stage. Visit http://www.pitt.edu/~psla/ReachPDF/REACHChart.pdf for a copy of the chart.

Research – Organize students into small groups and have them rotate to different work stations to conduct research. Depending on the needs of your project, consider a station comprised of textbooks, a station with encyclopedias, the library and the computer. Every student has the opportunity in this scenario to use the computer. Students can print resources from the computer to be used and shared for later reference. They can also bookmark useful resources for each of the other small groups. It may also be constructive to pair students with limited computer skills alongside those with a greater level of skill.

Educate – The community agency can be one resource used to educate students. Books, films and instructional materials such as CD-ROMs or the World Wide Web can also be used to educate. Once again, student groups can rotate from one venue to another, each having the opportunity for individual hands on experience with the educational materials. A projector can also be used to display the computer screen for the entire classroom to see it and follow along.

Act –Along with the different components necessitating action in the service-learning project, consider how the computer or computers can be used to facilitate the active components of the project. This will depend on the needs of the project. For example, a computer can be used to create a variety of promotional materials.

Connect – Students can connect to the community in a variety of ways. Consider taking advantage of the computer to facilitate this exchange.

Help – How will the computer be used to help the teacher, the students and the community? Plan ahead to make use of the computer at every stage in the service-learning project. Maximize the learning by consistently using certain technology tools. For instance, have students use only one search engine so they can master the ins and outs of that search engine. Find online experts in the field ahead of time so students can contact them at any stage of the project. Helpful website pages can also be printed so that students may reference them.

For more information about using technology in the one-computer classroom visit:
http://www.ncrtec.org/tl/digi/onecomp/index.html