Network Software Work With Education Tasks Too
New " Computer Network Software " helps students write collaboratively in the same medium.
Cooperative learning is a hot topic. What was once a natural strategy in every one-room schoolhouse is being rediscovered as an effective method to increase student involvement in learning. Not surprisingly, Computer Network Software products which emphasize cooperation are coming into their own.
These Computer Network Software products usually require a network and the participation of two or more people at two or more computers. They emphasize productive collaboration-a kind of silent correspondence in the environment of on-screen communication.
When students critique, analyze, and collaborate on problems and ideas with others using Computer Network Software, they gain experience in using written communication skills in a forum very much like teleconferencing. Quiet students are able to speak out on issues. Teachers glean evidence to help them assess the value of the questions they ask and problems they pose. Conceptually, Computer Network Software is relatively uncomplicated. The products simply expand on the art of analysis and communication. Teachers, therefore, may find many ways to integrate them into the curriculum, using them in such diverse contexts as collaborating on a play or discussing the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire. Computer Network Software, is a concise, well-organized program for students networks. It enables teachers and students to create realtime dialogue, then print or copy the results to a word processor for editing and revision. Teachers can direct discussion by developing topic groupings or describing individual topics through the management system. Here's what the screen looks like: The topic description appears at the top; the larger, middle section displays the ongoing dialogue; and at the bottom is a writing space-a miniword processor-where students write and edit text. The text then is sent to become part of the discussion. Computer Network Software provides a set of small faces which can be "stamped" into any conversation. These can be distracting to some students and should be an optional feature, preferably controlled through the teacher's management system. Discussions can be printed and they can also be exported to a word processor. Unfortunately, there is no provision for importing edited text. For that reason, the management system should provide a discussion editor, so that digressions and lapses in good taste can be eliminated from ongoing dialogues. Thoughts on Using Computer Network Software With Students The idea of using Computer Network Software is exciting, but teachers should consider the following: 1. The classroom management of Computer Network Software needs to be well-structured. Specific rules for collaboration and realtime discussion must be spelled out clearly and monitored. Teachers can accomplish this through actively participating in the discussion requiring session printouts, or defining student accountability in advance. One teacher who used Computer Network Software with a class of low-achieving students had success developing minimum requirements for grades. These included: number of sessions on the computer, contributions to the discussion, and the production of related work that utilized the results of the discussions. 2. As in oral discussions, a few individuals may want to take written control of the dialogue. Teachers will need to set controls to insure that all students have opportunities to express themselves. 3. Thought must be given to the place of Computer Network Software in the K-12 curriculum. Teachers are concerned about the expanding demands on their teaching time. Furthermore, most schools have a limited number of computers to share among many classes.
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