F11/F12 keys: On a MAC computer, the key F11 means clear desktop. The key F12 means show gadgets. These can be changed in the preferences of the system (click on the Apple to preferences).
Photo Seating Chart (the easy way): One of the best ways to get to know your students is to learn their names. Unfortunately, the blur of 150 students moving through your classroom each day makes this a difficult task. Simplify this task by creating a photo seating chart as a reference. I don't know about you, but seeing the name spelled out next to the picture really helps me remember! To create this tool, simply have the students sit in their assigned seats and snap a digital photo of the whole class. Print the photo, insert the names, either digitally or with stickers under each face, and you are ready to go.
You can also make one online with your grade book program. This is very helpful if you have to move classrooms throughout the day. There is no need to carry the seating charts around with you, all you have to do is go to your online gradebook and click the photo seating chart and you have it.
Fixed column width: When making your photo seating chart in Word, make sure to have your columns have a fixed width. This way the graphic (the student's picture) will fit into the table, rather than the table fitting the graphic (the cells in the table will grow or get smaller to fit the picture, table will not look as nice). This makes it so that the pictures are all the same size. To do this you click on the columns in the table you want to set with a fixed width, and drag the mouse across highlighting the table. You then go to TABLE-->autofit---> fixed column width. You can use the fixed column width feature to make quizzes in which your students have to choose from pictures to answer questions.
Student Interest Surveys- These area good way to get to know your students. Make up a survey with questions about their interests, their elective classes, whether or not they are in band, on a sports team, and if they have siblings or not. These allow you to connect to their personal lives while teaching. For example, if someone in your class is really into baseball, you can use a baseball example to illustrate a point you are trying to make. By connecting to their lives outside of school, you will get them to be more interested in what you are talking about.
How to create a Student Interest Survey - Surveys can be easily created in google. At the top of your google page (when logged into you account) click on the link that says "Documents". This is where all you google document are created and stored. To create a new survey click on the "new tab" and select "form". You can create your survey from this template and don't forget to press "save" before you leave the page. Also be sure to copy the link to your survey at the bottom of your page to give to your students.
Diagnostic Tests---I completely agree about the Student Interest Surveys and I do them during the first week of classes. And I also do diagnostic tests to see where they are in math. If too many students are way behind grade level, that certainly influences my pacing and my teaching. I usually make these tests myself, but there are some available online.
AIDING DISABILITIES: Go to the apple, click on systems preference, then UNIVERSAL ACCESS. You can adjust your computer for seeing and hearing impaired.
Zooming:
There are 3 ways to zoom the material on a computer monitor:
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Concepts >
Knowing your students |