Strategies to overcome the physical barriers when using ICT for Reading Groups

Our group discussed the difficulties that the infants classes were having when they were trying to set up laptops etc to be ready for reading groups each day. One of the problems was having to pass the laptops on to the next class. This did not allow teachers to be 'ready' before their class. Another problem was 'trouble shooting' with staff not feeling confident in dealing with 'hiccups' that had a technical basis.

A solution we are going to trial is to swap some of the infants laptops for desktops from the library. With two desktops available & ready at all times in each class it is hoped that this will ease the pressure for the teachers as up to 4 students in the group will at least be able to start while the teacher sets up the laptops for the other couples. As reading groups consist of a number of small groups, with only one group using the computers, this should make things easier.
We keep reminding ourselves that our aim is to have the students reading and interacting with print FOR THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME in these groups. We'll see next week how this strategy works!

Picture Image: 'Vaio meets apple in the kitchen'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70321513@N00/132754339