Introduction

How we do it. At John F. Pattie Elementary School we have a networked computer in every classroom, more than one in a few classes, and a computer lab with 12 PCs. We use Microsoft Office 97, and have a set of technology objectives for every grade level.

The links on this web site for spreadsheet and database include lab projects that we have actually done in my lab. Most of them are not suitable for efficient application in a one computer classroom, although that is not entirely true. My point is to try and emphasize what MORE can be done when there is a lab setting which complements the classroom.

The links for word processing and multimedia do not contain any class projects, but instead have the planning process that I use with the teachers at my school. I deliberately did not include any student samples of word processed work because, quite frankly, I didn't think many teachers would have trouble visualizing the products. Multimedia work was also not included, but for different reasons.

• First, most student work at Pattie includes copyrighted material which is ok as long as it stays in the classroom. See the copyright law and select Chapter 1, section 107, as it pertains to fair use in the instructional setting. (For a nice hypertext version, instead of the difficult to read PDF version on the LOC web site, go to http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/.)

• The second reason for not including student multimedia products is the fact that exporting to the web eliminates animation and sound. I know of no product currently available which will save a multimedia file as an html file and still retain all the glitz. Instead, a series of long load time graphics are created which show only the total slide itself. Not only does this look boring, but slides that have used a layered effect with fading will look extremely strange.

I hope my web site serves to generate thought as to the potential value of computer labs at the elementary level. If you wish to discuss this issue with me, I'd be delighted to have you contact me at gwatson@starpower.net.