" 'INSERT DISK THREE' ?But I can only get two in the drive ! "

Jonathan Moy

Pui Tak Center

Chicago, IL

Teaching Computers to Elementary Students

The Project

A year-long computer curriculum for elementary school students

1st to 6th grade 45 minute classes on

a weekly basis

The Objective

To provide the students with a general working understanding of the personal computer.

Skills include: proper navigation of the computer organization and categorizing proper storage techniques input abilities Internet safety, etiquette, and navigation

The Class

Three main sections Review of old

skills Introduction of

new skill Reinforcement/

Integration of new skill

A Basic Lesson

Review: Mouse click, mouse dragging New Skills: Minimize, Maximize, Resize Reinforcement/Integration: Open up 3

windows and place them so that all windows can be seen at once.

A Basic Lesson (example)

An Advanced Lesson

Review: Email, typing, saving online pictures, attachments, internet navigation

New Skills: None Reinforcement/Integration:

Students will login to their email accounts. 1.  Follow the link to a listing of Dunnies: 

http://kidrobot.com/content.cfm?section=dunny2.  Choose a Dunny and save its image to the Desktop.3.  Compose an email to me at jonathan.h.moy@gmail.com, and write me a short bio about the Dunny.  Be creative!4.  Don’t forget to attach the Dunny's picture and send it.

An Advanced Lesson (example)

“Dear Mr. Moy,This is the dunny I chose. His nameis Upchuck. He likes to use people’scredit cards and spend a lot of otherpeople’s money. He eats gasoline and lights matches andsticks them down his throat. It gets very messy butUpchuck thinks it is really fun. He likes lighter fluid butdoesn't like water. He always gets explosives for hisbirthday. He lights his birthday cake and it usually blows up.Sincerely, Daniel (5th grade) and Upchuck”

Notes On Teaching

Understanding foundational principles behind their actions. Ex. Students and online game sites

Importance of visual learning/demonstration Use of projector Demonstration controls independent learning

Additional Notes on Teaching

Critical thinking and skill application Ex. Copy and

Paste, Save Emphasis on

reinforcement

Addit. Notes on Teaching

Encouragement and typing practice NO typing games

Mental breaks/ Creative activity Music/Pictures/

Movies/Games/ Holidays

The Final Product

Skills/Knowledge acquired by end of year Recognition/Care of Computer Components User Accounts and Passwords Basic/Advanced use of Paint and Word Folder Use and Organization, Icon Recognition Saving, Cut, Copy, Paste Commands, etc CD/DVD/USB Drive care/use Internet safety, navigation, search engines Proper use of email Proper Typing Skills

“I’ve been teaching my mom how to use the computer.”

- Julianna, 1st Grade

Works Cited

Title quote from http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/QuotesComputer.html Title picture from http://babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/2008/boy%20computer.jpg Dunny picture from http://kidrobot.com/content.cfm?section=dunny All other pictures taken by Jonathan Moy