EB> (ie. art/reports for other subjects).  Could a 
 EB> reason
 EB> for some of the students who are having trouble be that they may not 
 EB> have computers at home, and therefore may feel overwhelmed by it all?
Yes, this is a problem - one reason I am trying to gather all the old surplus 
computers I can is to have checkout computers for students whose families 
cannot afford one. 
 
Another problem is that many of our students are native English speakers, 
some are just transferring to English and often have trouble learning Two new 
languages at once, (tech and English). 
 
 EB> can to foster the learning of each student.  Could 
 EB> the students who
 EB> are literate with computer technology maybe help otherstudents who 
Absolutely, I could not survive without students teaching each other when new 
or difficult concepts come up in class. Generally, I have no seating 
arrangement as I want students to sit by someone they like (or tolerate!). I 
will teach one person, they teach the others around them. Usually this 
happens after I have introduced the concept and they are trying to practice 
the skill.
 
For motivation I use:
1. Games - yup, real computer games-most are not educational but the students 
are highly motivated to use them, so they have to be finished with their work 
by Friday to use games.
2. BBS online - since this is a networked lab, the BBS system allows 5 
students to logon and chat, send E-mailand eventually play door games.
3. Drawing programs, music programs, etc are all used for staying on task and 
motivation.
Since this is all hands-on, I do not have much trouble motivating students. 
Some even keyboard on Friday instead of playing games.
--- Maximus 2.02
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