Classroom Management Software

Microsoft management software has a ‘Class server’ at the teacher end and a ‘Class Server’ at the student end. Class server is one of the tools that helps manage class room works like activities and assignments. It makes the job easier for the teachers, students and parents with respect to teaching and learning. Teacher Class Server allows the teacher to create any resources assignments or activities add it to the school server, and then onto the Student class Server. In that way, student could access to what they should be doing as individuals.

This software also has provision for the teacher to tailor the assignments according to every student’s learning style. It automatically grades the assignments and records them. I think this (grade and record) would be the most difficult part for a teacher to accomplish in the given time. All that a teacher needs to do is to create the assignment. Resources include any type of questions (multiple choice, essay type) or activities. It is teacher friendly. Even if the teacher wants some resource to be aligned for the state Standards, he/she could combine it with ‘virtual education’ software to make sure that it fits into State Standards. ‘Virtual education’ is a software that checks the resource if it fits into the Standards. It really reduces teachers work and stress. The teacher could also use this as an assessment tool to assess her/his instruction quickly and could reteach them if necessary.

This tool is interactive in nature, so it is interesting for the students too. They like working with student class server, because the assignments are not going to be the same for every one they could show their individuality. Parents also get a chance to help their kids or reflect on their kids’ performance on the assignment. Parents also take part in the progress and learning experience of their kid.

This type of classroom management would help the school district to produce good results, because the teachers’ job is made easy. At the same time, this could also help to check if the students are tested or assigned works that meets State Standards. I really like the way the classroom management tool works; because as a teacher I could understand the importance of this tool in making my teaching efficient, improving my students learning experience as well. Time is the main constraint for most of the teachers in completing the tasks; and this tool will be really helpful in accomplishing those tasks. I think the main obstacle would be the cost. I could not imagine if this tool would be affordable for all the schools.

Using handhelds in the classroom

There are many ways to incorporate handheld devices into teaching. One of the ways that graduate students were planning to use handheld computers for teaching was through a software program called ‘Sketchy’. This program was designed in such a way to help solve difficult chemistry problems as in Stoichiometry calculations. Further they mentioned that any step by step process could be used in Sketchy. Next, for teaching the students how to access graphs those are generated by this device and to see their footprints. The users were also able to save a periodic table in the handheld device.

The professor identified lack of distracters as one of the main advantage of handheld devices over laptops. He considers handheld devices to be powerful since, it does not play videos and does not have access to the internet.

Some general advantages of using wireless technologies in the classroom are that it motivates the students a lot. It breaks the monotony of a routine lecture class. Using WIFI would also help the teachers and students to access online resources whenever they need it. Students are excited about knowing and using a technology and learn more than being in a traditional classroom setting. As it interests students, they learn quicker. Students could teach among themselves. Using this type of handheld technologies in the classroom make the students work in groups and help each other. Students do not feel learning is something burdening, but they do enjoy learning. Use of wireless technologies also helps for the classroom management, since students are actively involved in learning to operate or learning the curriculum. It does not require a huge work station. Interestingly, it helps students develop self-esteem and confidence.

The use of wireless technology in the classroom changes the classroom atmosphere and the way the students communicate among themselves and to the teacher. As far as technology is concerned students learn quicker than teachers, so they do not completely rely on their teacher for every instruction. As far as I know, present classroom environment sometimes uses the wireless technology like ‘clickers’ to respond immediately to the questions being asked. In this way, it helps the teacher for immediate assessment of his/her instruction. Traditional classrooms were very boring, did not have any interesting technology used in their classroom, but present day and future students are very much exposed to this and get a variety of learning experiences.