Computer Explorations

Text Box: Good Technique Sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward Placing your feet should be flat on the floor Centering your body in front of the G & H keys Not resting your hands on the keyboard or table Placing your body approximately a hand’s length away from the table

The Computer Exploration course is a two-semester elective course that is offered to seventh and eighth graders. During the course, the students will cover the following topics.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary goal is for all students to become a touch typist, which is the ability to type without looking at their hands. This will best be accomplished if the students do the following:

· Eyes on copy

· Sit up straight (leaning slight forward), arms close to body, and feet flat on the floor

· Fingers slightly curved and rest on home row keys

· Use appropriate finger reaches with hands slightly off the keyboard

· Keyboard centered in front of body

· Keyboard even with front edge of the desk

By the end of the semester the students will be able to type a minimum of 30 words per minute.

EVALUATIONS

The focus for this class will be on further developing their pre-existing keyboarding skills as well expanding their knowledge in various software applications. Their grade will be a combination of keyboarding technique, speed, accuracy, written tests, practice exercises, and projects.

The student’s grade will be based on the following:

· Daily Work (40%): drill work, timed writings, practice exercises

· Tests (20%): written tests and projects

· Six Weeks Exam (20%): cumulative six weeks test

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

First Six Weeks–Setting the Standards, Computer Basics, and Touch Typing

· Week 1--Rules and Regulations, External Parts of the Computer, Keyboarding

· Week 2-6--Micro Type (touch typing), drills, timed writings

Second Six Weeks– Outlines, Internet Usage, and Research Paper

· Week 1--Type Two Practice Outlines and Outline a Chapter in History or Science Textbook

· Weeks 2-4--Discuss Internet Usage (searches and safety), review typing a research page including cover pages, footnotes, table of contents, and bibliography page (complete practice exercises)

· Weeks 5-6—Research a Significant Person or Event in History (8th grade) or an animal (7th grade) for a Research Paper and Begin Typing Outline

Third Six Weeks– Outlines, Research Papers, Bibliography, Business Letters, and Tables

· Week 1--Finish Outline and Start Research Paper

· Week 2--Complete Research Paper, when finished work on speed & accuracy

· Week 3--Practice Speed and Accuracy (timed writings, drill work, etc.)

· Week 4--Introduce Business Letters, review formatting (alignment, clip art, word art, etc.) and complete practice exercises

· Week 5--Business Letter Project; write a letter to a district staff member

· Week 6--Introduce Tables and complete four practice exercises