Tips for Teachers

[Note: the Tips for Teachers page has been archived. New material will not be added to this page. It will remain archived indefinitely.]

Use Auto Correct to nab dirty words

Here's a great tip for teachers who have their students perform word processing tasks in the classroom. Invariably, a student will type in a vulgar four letter word on his screen, then get all around him to snicker at it. Teachers can take advantage of the auto correct function found in such word processors as Microsoft Word to nip this problem in the bud. Teachers should make an entry for every dirty word they can think of and change it to read, "YOU BETTER WATCH IT, BUSTER!" or, "FOUL LANGUAGE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF COMPUTER PRIVILEGES!" or, "I WILL TELL YOUR MOTHER YOU TYPED THAT."

Auto correct will cause the dirty word to instantly change to the desired phrase once it is typed in. The look on the child's face the first time this happens is absolutely priceless. Pass this tip on to all your computer lab teachers, and be sure to use it on the computers in your classroom.

When reproducing this article, please credit EduQuery. Reproduction for non-profit use only.

Copyright © 1999, EduQuery

See All / Know All

You would think it's common sense: be able to see all parts of the classroom at all times. But nonetheless, we continue to see classrooms that do not follow this rule.

Are there corners in your classroom where students can hide? Are there obstructions or other places where they can escape your gaze? This is a big no-no, but teachers seem to inevitably let this lapse.

Some older classrooms are not perfectly square/rectangular. If you have an extension where a corner juts off in your room, consider placing your desk there and making it off limits to students.

Do you have computers in your room? You need to be able to see the monitors from any position you will be in the room. Do you run a computer lab? The best layout for a lab is the horseshoe so that the instructor can stand in the middle and see everybody's screen. Try never to have computers placed in rows in a lab. This makes it difficult to see the screens. Also, students in front can alter the wiring on the computers behind them.

When reproducing this article, please credit EduQuery. Reproduction for non-profit use only.

Copyright © 1998, EduQuery

Have you used these tips? Let us know about it.

 
[ Home ]