AP Literature students participated in a series of real-time online discussions to complement the in-class conversations they were having about "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Thus, the front channel was comprised of the students who were discussing the class text aloud, and the backchannel was the online conversation the rest of the…

Student motivation is difficult to measure, manage, initiate, and control. Teachers control many aspects of classroom environments, including student interaction and cooperation, by the rules and procedures they establish and maintain. But, there is often little classroom teachers can do to predict what will motivate students to move beyond the…

The first day of school used to be exhausting for the author. To change this, the author needed to capitalize on the enthusiasm of the first day, so now she shortens the time devoted to rules so she can begin to build on real learning right away. In this article, the author shares three of her favorite opening activities. Using popular culture and…

In this article, the authors address a high school's need for an updated technology policy that would allow educators to move from confiscating technology to teaching students how and when to use it. By replacing their technology policy with a courtesy policy, the authors describe how they made a huge step toward teaching students to do the right…

The availability of new technology and a willingness to experiment led Laura Christine Rochette to re-imagine a successful high school English curriculum. A SMART Board, individual laptop computers, and blogs became essential tools to enhance the learning of all students and to renew her excitement about teaching.

Suggests that in a constructivist setting, the computer must facilitate social interaction among students and provide for independent acquisition of shared knowledge. Considers how to best use computers in the modern classroom. Proposes that it is the function of the arrangement of the computer pod to provide effective small group instruction. (PM)

A considerable use of technology to supplement classroom instruction could improve student learning. A high school teacher reveals the ways in which the use of online discussions of literature assignments increases student participation by extending dialogue beyond the physical space and time of a single class.