Kinesthetic Computing

Jennifer Newton
Media Specialist/Instructional Technology Specialist
McDuffie County Schools, Thomson, GA

Just as the GAETC program booklet described, Sabrina Sterling of Camden County gave participants in her Kinesthetic Computing session tons of computer related activities and ideas that teach technology integration skills while allowing students to move around and not just sit in front of a monitor during class.

Ms. Sterling said that her session was born out of necessity in her classroom—how in the world was she going to teach technology integration skills to pre-K and kindergartener students?  How could she hold their attention and not expect them to want to move around?  How was she going to provide attention to 20+ students as they tried to use a computer program?  Out of that necessity came fun board games similar to Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders that incorporate learning the keyboard and computer parts and physical games similar to hop scotch, Simon says and bean bag toss that reinforce alphabet recognition on the keyboard and general computer parts and icons, plus lots more!

Although I work and teach in a secondary setting, I have been able to share the information provided by Ms. Sterling with computer teachers at the elementary level in our school system, as well as with pre-service teachers I teach at Augusta State University.  These teachers have been very receptive to the games I shared with them from Ms. Sterling’s session and website (www.kinestheticcomputing.com).  [Editor's Comment: Visit this website...it should prove useful!] Although it is important for students to actually use the computer, Ms. Sterling’s games and creative ideas will help students make the transition to the computer seamless since they will have already learned in fun and active ways key computer terms and functions.

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