Forum K - 12 Schools Forum: Re: Primary Schools

By: Karen May

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I am currently teaching Kindergarten and Year One students and thought it might be useful to share some of the ways in which we have been able to use LAMS as an effective method of delivery of content to students who range in age from 4 to 7 years old.
My experiences with presenting LAMS to my little people was simply an extension of how I deliver many lessons, especially Literacy by using guided instruction.
I have presented LAMS sequences this year using readers and scribes. The readers and scribes have been in the form of older students from Years 5 and 6, parent helpers, support teachers and one on one instruction from myself.
I found using peer buddies from Years 5 and 6 an effective way to present sequences in the computer lab where all of my students are logged on together and completing a sequence at the same time.
Homework sequences where parents act as readers and scribes has provided an effective mode of delivery and has provided me with valuable feedback from the parents of my students. At the end of the homework sequences I have placed a parent forum where the parents can comment on using LAMS. The feedback has been all positive.
To ensure equitable access my classroom is opened from 9:30 to 11:00 each morning for any parents who do not have internet access at home and we also offer peer buddy time for parents who don't have internet access and who are unable to come up to school due to work commitments. Due to this flexible delivery of services (that only LAMS can provide) all my students have been able to complete home assignments and have been able to download templates to print out. One of the greatest advantages of using LAMS for me is that my students are developing and learning ICT skills while covering curriculum content. My students have gone from needing full support to complete a sequence to many of them being able to complete some advanced ICT skills like downloads and viewing shared resources in a period of 3 terms!
In my experience even if you only have access to one computer in your classroom you can succesfully run LAMS sequences with your class.
If a 4 year old can use a mouse and operate effectively within a desktop environment then LAMS is accessible to them.
I look forward to sharing some Little People Sequence with other Primary educators in the next few weeks. Many of the sequences are simple and are a great introduction to using LAMS and some only take around 15min to complete.

Posted by Karen May