Patrice Watford
Beaufort Middle School
6-8^th grade computer technology
May 1, 2002

Subjects included in this Lesson Plan: Computer Skills

Brief Description:  Students are exposed to computers at an early age in this day and time and many students have their own computer at home.  In computer skills with the sixth graders, there are many BAD habits (incorrect habits and techniques) to unlearn.  Unlearning a habit and relearning the habit in a different method are extremely difficult. 

Lifelong learning is a benefit of proper techniques, posture and keyboard strokes. 

Approximate time required: 47 minutes

Standard Course of Study Goals and Objectives:

NC SCOS Goal 2: The learner will us the touch method in operating the keyboard and numeric keypad.

NC SCOS Objective 2.01: The learner will demonstrate the touch method in operating the alphabetic keys.

Teacher's Lesson Goals/Objectives: The behavioral objective is a smooth, easy, rhythmic stroking of the keyboard during the weeks of learning the alphabetic keyboard.

The student will be able to key the alphabetic keyboard with proper techniques, posture, and without looking at the fingers or keyboard.  The student will be able to utilize the proper techniques, posture, and keyboard strokes throughout their school years and their life.

Materials/Resources Needed: 

• computers in a computer lab setting, 
• projector, laptop (optional), 
• screen, 
• a timer, 
• a cassette tape or CD player, 
• a cassette or CD with drill and practice exercises (where the cassette or CD calls the keyboard letters and functions), 
• a manual of drill and practice exercises which coincides with the cassette or CD allowing the teacher to stay abreast as each key or stroke is called-out.  
• Students will need to bring a bandanna, a scarf, or a piece of cloth to wrap around their head to shield their eyes.

Pre Activities:  

1. The teacher will choose a warm-up exercise and write it on the board.
2. When entering the classroom, the students must begin keying the warm-up exercise.  
3. The purpose of this exercise is to unlearn bad habits and relearn correct techniques and keyboard strokes.  
4. The students will draw their hands on blank paper and write the appropriate letters and functions on each finger, which it correctly keys, as each new key is learned in class.  
5. The students will have learned the alphabetic keyboard. The students will use correct techniques, posture and keyboard strokes.
6. The students will bring to class a bandanna, scarf, or piece of cloth to wrap around their head and shield their eyes.

Activities:

Teacher Input:  

1. The teacher will teach new keys and keyboard strokes daily.  
2. The teacher will allow time daily for students to write on their drawn hands as each new key and strokes are learned daily.  
3. The teacher will bring extra bandannas to class.

Guided and Independent Practice:  

1. The students will listen to the cassette or CD for a minute or two to get the beat and rhyth m. 
2. The students will cover their eyes.  
3. The students will key and follow directions to the rhythm of the cassette or CD for one minute. 
4. The students will assess their techniques.  
5. The students will continue keying and following directions to the rhythm of the cassette or CD with periodic breaks.  
6. The teacher will closely monitor the students while walking around the room as each student keys.  
7. The teacher will take notes on correct and incorrect techniques noticed while monitoring.

Closure:   Briefly review the “bad habits and good habits” noticed.  Briefly review which fingers key the alphabet and functions such as space bar and tab.

Assessment:

Pre-assessment:   

1. Keep a record of students using proper techniques and keyboard strokes (teacher notes through observation).  

2. Keep a record by listing each new key, function, or stroke as they are learned (students write on their hands drawn)

Post-assessment:  

1. Each day, have students write the letter or keyboard stroke on their hands drawn.  

2. Have students express how they felt keying without looking.  

3. Have students’ express which letters they key accurately and which are difficult.  

4. Have students complete a blank keyboard test where they list keys, strokes and functions.  

5. Have students complete a blank “hands” test listing keys, strokes, and functions.