Newspaper learning circles require groups of students to work together, discuss and contribute to an electronic newspaper over the course of several days or weeks. This computer project is versatile enough to implement within any grade or subject. Place students in groups of three to five and instruct them to create their own newspaper, either from a class outline or an outline of their own. The newspaper can be a period piece for English or history class, a current world news edition for social studies or science, or even a tabloid-style paper for a communications course project. Assign a section to each student and require them to use online resources and word processing software to learn about their topic or section and then report it in journalistic prose. Encourage students to explore layout and formatting options in order to give their compilations a newspaper appearance. Allow students to present their newspapers either in printed-out editions or with a computer connected to a projector.
Webquests are simple, online scavenger hunts that are easy to design for any subject or grade level. Webquests send students on an adventure of sorts, gathering, acquiring and compiling information from different online resources to solve a riddle, puzzle or mystery; or simply to answer a question. The teacher or parent creates a website or a clue sheet with links to external resources, along with guiding questions that lead students through a maze of research and ultimately, to a determined conclusion. A simple example of an elementary-grade Webquest would be to establish a story in which a mystery fruit has appeared in an alien garden. Provide students with links to informational websites about strawberries and other fruits and require students to determine the mystery fruit based on the clues established in the story compared to the facts gathered from the research links. Use worksheets and multimedia links with Webquest activities to guide and engage students. The Webquest.org online site has more project ideas.
For decades, school spelling bees have been a part of the student experience. These spirited, educational contests promote literacy, encourage students to sharpen their skills and also bring a fun, competitive feeling to the classroom environment. For a 21st century twist on this classic school game, establish teams of students, assign each team to a computer and instruct teams to play through a few rounds of an educational online game as you keep track of the high scores on the blackboard, whiteboard or a sheet of paper. Matching games, Sudoku, and other brain teasers are great math or science-based games, while word scrambles, word hunts and trivia games are excellent for sharpening linguistic skills. Turn this activity into a long-term project by establishing a "season" and tracking scores over time. Award the winning team with a special privilege or prize.
Biography websites are an enjoyable and versatile computer project for any age or subject. Using Webpage-making software or a word processor application, instruct students to create a biographic website for a fictional character, mythological creature or historical figure. Require students to design multiple web pages, quoting online sources, and including picture, music or video files; or set up the layout in a book or newspaper format to promote content learning at the same time as essential reading, writing and computer skills.