What supplies/equipment do students need in this class?
Students need to bring a a writing utensil and a pair of earphones or ear buds each day to class to be able to listen and complete their computer lessons. It is also recommended that they have a flash drive to be able to save their project files to be able to work on them (if needed) outside the classroom. All other materials will be provided.
What do the students do during class?
1.) The first 15 minutes of class is spent on keyboarding. It is the goal of the course to have students successfully learn to use touch typing (not looking at their hands) to build their keyboarding skill. They will learn all alphabetic keys and top row (number/symbol) keys by the end of the semester. Each lesson takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, so the students are currently assigned two lessons per week to complete. This leaves Friday to finish up any keyboarding lesson activity that is incomplete. Our focus is on accuracy, not speed, as speed will come later as they master their keyboarding reaches.
2.) We spend 30 minutes working on computer modules or projects. The second portion of the class works on building our knowledge and skills with computers including:
The Modules: Each unit begins with a computer module to introduce the topic. The students watch multimedia presentations that have text on the screen that is also read to them. They participate in simulations to apply the information throughout the lessons. They answer question about the material to check their understanding. The students are able to take notes in an electronic lesson notepad and/or go back to review material before they answer the comprehension questions. They receive immediate feedback and are able to track their score on the screen as they progress throughout the lesson.
The Projects: After completing the computer module, students participate in a hands-on project to apply their new knowledge and skills. The project directions, grading information, and activities are all posted on the class website under Projects.
2.) We spend 30 minutes working on computer modules or projects. The second portion of the class works on building our knowledge and skills with computers including:
The Modules: Each unit begins with a computer module to introduce the topic. The students watch multimedia presentations that have text on the screen that is also read to them. They participate in simulations to apply the information throughout the lessons. They answer question about the material to check their understanding. The students are able to take notes in an electronic lesson notepad and/or go back to review material before they answer the comprehension questions. They receive immediate feedback and are able to track their score on the screen as they progress throughout the lesson.
The Projects: After completing the computer module, students participate in a hands-on project to apply their new knowledge and skills. The project directions, grading information, and activities are all posted on the class website under Projects.
How do the students know what is due each week?
In our classroom, we have a whiteboard that has the days of the week posted on it - each day has the daily goal posted on it for work completion. We review this together each day.
The overall weekly "to-do" list and what is due each week is posted on the class website. We review this together and I remind the student they need to work towards staying on track or make arrangements if they are absent or need additional time.
The overall weekly "to-do" list and what is due each week is posted on the class website. We review this together and I remind the student they need to work towards staying on track or make arrangements if they are absent or need additional time.
Can the students complete work outside the classroom?
Work that must be completed in the classroom – The assigned Microtype Keyboarding lessons and the AES computer modules must be completed in the classroom due to the specialized software that we use for completing these lessons.
Work that can be completed outside the classroom – Student can practice keyboarding skills and any of the classroom projects from any computer outside the classroom (home, relative, library, etc.) that has Internet access and the software used in the project. All students are highly encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes per night at home working on their keyboarding skills.
Work that can be completed outside the classroom – Student can practice keyboarding skills and any of the classroom projects from any computer outside the classroom (home, relative, library, etc.) that has Internet access and the software used in the project. All students are highly encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes per night at home working on their keyboarding skills.
What can students do to improve their grades?
Inside the Classroom:
Organization and Time Management: Students can write down the daily work goals from the whiteboard in their agenda. Parents and students can review the agenda and/or the class website each night to discuss the students progress and daily class activities and review what is due by the end of the week.
Computer Modules: I highly recommend that students take their time and take notes in their electronic notepad and/or go back to look up any material that they are unsure of before they answer a question. Students must pass the lesson (60% or higher) in order to move on to the next lesson. If they do not pass the lesson, they will conference with me and have the lesson reset to try again. Students may set higher goals for themselves and if they earn a score they are not happy with, they may ask to have their lesson reset as long as they are on track with current lessons and it will not put them behind.
Outside the Classroom:
All students are highly encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes per night at home working on their keyboarding skills. This nightly practice will assist them in mastering touch typing and building their confidence and skill. Ideas for home practice – use the class web resources to practice lessons, games, etc. Also, building typing activities in to home tasks – type grocery lists, schedules, letters, homework notes for other classes, etc. can be very beneficial.
If a student needs more time on a project and can make arrangements to use a computer - complete work on projects to get caught up outside the classroom.
Organization and Time Management: Students can write down the daily work goals from the whiteboard in their agenda. Parents and students can review the agenda and/or the class website each night to discuss the students progress and daily class activities and review what is due by the end of the week.
Computer Modules: I highly recommend that students take their time and take notes in their electronic notepad and/or go back to look up any material that they are unsure of before they answer a question. Students must pass the lesson (60% or higher) in order to move on to the next lesson. If they do not pass the lesson, they will conference with me and have the lesson reset to try again. Students may set higher goals for themselves and if they earn a score they are not happy with, they may ask to have their lesson reset as long as they are on track with current lessons and it will not put them behind.
Outside the Classroom:
All students are highly encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes per night at home working on their keyboarding skills. This nightly practice will assist them in mastering touch typing and building their confidence and skill. Ideas for home practice – use the class web resources to practice lessons, games, etc. Also, building typing activities in to home tasks – type grocery lists, schedules, letters, homework notes for other classes, etc. can be very beneficial.
If a student needs more time on a project and can make arrangements to use a computer - complete work on projects to get caught up outside the classroom.
What if my student is absent or needs more time for their work?
If a student is absent or falls behind on a computer module or keyboarding lessons, these have to be completed in our classroom due to the specialized software. Students or parents can touch base with me via e-mail at straub_j@westclerorg to arrange a time to come in for open lab before/after school. If they have a study hall, they can check with me to see if I have a free computer and they are welcome to come down and work.
If a student is absent or falls behind on a computer project, these can usually be completed from any computer with Internet access. Students can either arrange a time to attend an open lab session or work a computer outside the classroom. Students can work on computer projects from any computer (home, friend, relative, local library) that has access to the Internet and the software we are using. Students will need to print and/or e-mail their work to turn it in for grading.
If a student is absent or falls behind on a computer project, these can usually be completed from any computer with Internet access. Students can either arrange a time to attend an open lab session or work a computer outside the classroom. Students can work on computer projects from any computer (home, friend, relative, local library) that has access to the Internet and the software we are using. Students will need to print and/or e-mail their work to turn it in for grading.
What if my student does not have access to a computer/internet at home?
No problem! If you do not have access to a computer and/or the Internet at home and your student needs to complete a project, the Clermont County Public Library has you covered. The Public library has 10 locations in Clermont County, all 10 branches offer FREE computer and Internet access.
Branch Hours and Locations
Computer Software Available
Branch Hours and Locations
Computer Software Available
Is there extra credit?
There are no standing extra credit opportunities. There are bonus point opportunities offered occasionally with the projects for students that complete their lessons early or choose to complete the bonus opportunities outside the classroom.