Searching for Answers

I gave the freshmen a worksheet that had 15 different unit-related terms (meter, density, etc.) with 15 definitions for them to match up to. First person done (with all answers correct) wins. They were given the option to use their laptops as well. It was very interesting to see how they did this. Here are some of my observations:

• The student who won actually used the computer for each and every question. She stood out, I believe, because she could type fast and seemed to know how to search.
• Another student, who came in second place, did what I would have done. He tried matching the terms with the definitions first WITHOUT the laptop, and then used the laptop for the terms he couldn't figure out.
• Some students got lost or were way behind because they automatically went the computer, assuming it would make the task easier. Instead, they couldn't search well, type well, or process information quickly enough to make the computer advantageous to them.
  

Lesson learned? Next time I'll have the students try the worksheet for 5 minutes or so without the use of the laptop, and THEN let them use it, making them think a little bit more with their brain, instead of the computer. Also, students need to learn when to use the computer vs. their brain. I think this lesson might be learned as they get more experience, but I'll continue to process this with them. This was a very interesting activating strategy, especially since I learned so much about how the students think.