Dear Neil,
The two of us have been the teachers in our Computer Workshop these past few months. We both have a number of years of Sunday School teaching experience though we are just starting with computers. We have had really good success with two children on a computer. We have found, though, that having three children on a computer does not seem to work well. We have only had three on a computer with younger grades (1st - 3rd) so far due to class sizes. We have two computers and each of us oversees one group on a computer so I don't think it is due to lack of supervision (the too few teachers mistake you mention in your material).
In your experience, does three children on a computer work better with older kids? Is the problem we are noting a product of the shorter attention span of younger children? I am particularly interested because I plan to use some of the software for Confirmation Class starting this fall with 8th graders. I planned to have three on a computer and am now concerned about whether this will work. --Joyce and Joe
Neil's Response:
Hi Joyce and Joe....
Your questions about numbers of kids per computer are important ~and complex.A number of factors can affect a child's feeling of "being included" or "getting their time at the computer." Often it is the poor learning habits of the child which create the problem. Especially in Sunday School where the children know they are "volunteer students," some kids are easily distracted by their own lack of interest. With older children especially, I like to begin each lesson by expressing a compelling reason why they should want to learn the lesson. Then I clearly outline what we're going to do and what's expected from them. Structure goes a long way to improving cooperative behavior. Kids need to know the ground rules and have a sense that what they're about to do is important.
Here are some more tips on helping kids feel included when they work together at the computer:
1. Size of the monitor. Small monitors make the third kid have to lean in to see.
2. Size of computer table. Small computer furniture tables tend to signal "one user." Wide tables give the third students a sense of "being there." The monitor and the table size send a non-verbal signal to the kids about how they feel included or dis-connected. Amazing, but true: Outside of about 30 inches from the monitor many kids will lose interest.
3. Software selection. Some programs are more suited to two users (like Kid Pix 3). Some work well with more (like Awesome Bible Stories or Fall of Jericho).
4. Location of Mouse, Accessibility. If your computer has a mouse on the right side of the computer, then the person on the left or in back is physically unable to get control without playing musical chairs. A trackball can be passed to all students. Big tables can help you give a spot to move the mouse.
5. Control freaks. Some kids are control freaks (like some adults). I usually put my control freaks together in pairs, never with a "less-controlling" kid. I have one young child who comes into my lab and is a constant distraction if he is sitting too far from the mouse. Putting him close enough and reminding him when it will be his turn really helps him settle in.
6. Clear instructions. Working in teams and filling out worksheets as you go through software gives the extra kid something to do when it isn't their turn to control the program. There's a guide to co-op learning with computers in the Teaching Tips section of my website.
7. Every class has a personality. Certain kids create an atmosphere of sharing ...or not sharing. The above "tricks of the trade" may not work with dysfunctional classes.
8. Is it harder for younger or older children to share?
It really depends on the individual kids, the teacher's style, lesson plan, program used, etc. Older kids seem to be more aware of each other at the computer. Younger kids are just coming out of that classic "parallel play" phase where they view themselves as individuals, -not a small group at play or work. Older kids are more vocal about their needs and thus can exert more peer pressure to share. Younger kids tend not to know when their turn is up. Younger kids may view using the controls as the whole point of learning with the computer, whereas older kids can focus on the content as well as the tool. Are your teachers part of each computer group? ...or are they hovering behind the groups?9. Establishing good learning habits with the computer can take time. Not all kids will do well with it right away, anymore than all our kids can do a skit or art project the first time.
10. The last and most obvious answer is getting another computer or adding a teacher. When you teach with computers, getting the ratios right is important. Often, the key to success is recruiting one more helper, rather than buying one more computer.
I know some computer lab teachers who say they have no problem having five kids at a computer. How they make that work is beyond me. ...Which I think is the last thing I'll leave you with. Each of us brings unique abilities to this and every other medium. So do our kids. That "chemistry" sometimes works for us, and sometimes against us. It's what makes Sunday School unpredictable and enjoyable, frustrating and exhilirating all at the same time. Try the suggestions which seem most reasonable for your situation. Do what you feel best works for YOU and is based on your values.
Hope this helps.
<>< Neil MacQueen, 1-800-678-1948
Sunday School Software Articles | Teaching TipsP.S. In most cases I don't think it is a good idea to have just one kid per computer. There are times and churches that have fewer kids than computers. I've had a few in my twelve years of teaching with computers. But each time I just turned off a computer or two and STILL had my kids work together. Why? Because we learn the Word of God together, and we value cooperative learning. It is part of our values system in the church.
Yes, it may be easier to placate the kids by giving them their own computer (either because of an attendance fluke or your church has more money than brains), but I'm in the soul-shaping business, not the "just make them happy" business.
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