Classroom Proposals

Christopher Shane Hood
Proposal 1: 4 Computers in the Classroom
This classroom is the most advanced one. I am incorporating four computers so that I may maximize the amount of information that each student will be able to learn. Here is the layout for my ninth grade exercise physiology class.
I placed the teacher’s desk at the front with the white board and the projection screen because that would eliminate having to walk around to do power points and presentations of notes. I also put the printer next to the teacher’s desk so that all printing can be monitored. There are four computers spread out equally around the room to allow the students to work in groups of four. This will allow for ample computer time for each student. The students’ desks are facing the teacher’s desk, the white board and the projector which allows them to sit comfortably while being taught.

The use of four computers in very important with this classroom in making sure that each student is properly taught. This class is Exercise Physiology and this is a very hands on class. Each student will go through many different body movements and they will be video taping and taking pictures of each person doing so. They will then need to download there photos and videos onto the computer and analyze what they see. There are only sixteen students in the class at a time, however, if there are less than four available computers for the students there will not be enough time during to the class for each student to get to look at their results. The students will also be able to access preapproved websites that will show them examples and provide helpful information. The students will also have projects where they will be working in groups of four with each member of the team having his or her special job and each team will have one computer in which they will be able to work at. The data projector will provide a great way for the teacher to provide the class notes and instructions. By having a projector, the teacher can prepare their notes at home on their computer and just open their notes on one of the computers in the classroom using the projector they are able to show notes without having to take the time to write down everything on the white board which would take up much of the class time that could be used in much more productive ways. The computers are just really needed for this class. It is impossible to slow down someone’s movements without the use of a computer to analyze. We also can’t just assume that every student has a computer at home in which they can just go there to get their assignments done. If we assume that we run the risk of inviting a discrimination suit against the school. We all know that some students are more fortunate than others and our job as educators is to provide equal opportunities for all of our students.
Proposal 2: 1 Computer in the Classroom
The second classroom designed is for one computer, printer and data projector. This class will be a prep course for Exercise Physiology.
I placed the teacher’s desk in front of the white board for easy access. I also have the projector located next to the white board for convenience. I wanted everything around the teacher’s desk to eliminate the need to walk around the room during presentations. The computer is off to the side of the students desks which face the teacher, board and projector for comfortable viewing. The printer is located next to the teacher’s desk so that all printing can be monitored. By having the computer off to the side it allows the teacher to monitor who is on the computer and the angle it is sitting also allows the teacher to see what the student is working on while using the computer.

This classroom set up is very basic. Having one computer is a must. The teacher has to have a way to present power point for class notes. By having the computer and the data projector the students will also be able to create their own power point presentations for the special projects that they will have throughout the semester. They will have two main projects which will require them to examine children playing and they must be able to explain to the class the movements involved, muscles involved and they must do so by showing a series of pictures, slides and video. This is a class favorite. The computer is also needed to allow the students to use preapproved web sites which have helpful information needed to achieve a good score on their presentations. We also have software which is linked with the University and we work with them on projects that their students have. It gives the students a look at what they can do once they graduate and get to college if they choose to do something in the field of exercise physiology. Being that this class in only allowed up to sixteen students the teacher can use the hour and twenty minute class periods to assign each student their own block of time each week in which they can use the computer for whatever they need to get done for the class.