Your Student and the Computer

The computer and the Internet will enable your partner to cope with the rapidly changing world around us. Computer and Internet skills are becoming more and more essential in the workplace and in every other area of our culture.

Learning computer and Internet skills does not detract from learning reading, writing, and English language skills. On the contrary, all of these skills complement one another.

Instructional software and Internet activities, included in your lesson plan, can be a great benefit to your partner. They offer hands-on experiences that appeal to different learning styles. They build workplace skills. They include your partner in the technology revolution from which he or she may have been excluded until now. The following entries offer strategies to assist tutors in explaining the computer keyboard and mouse, software and Internet use.


Introducing Computer Skills to Adult Learners

Be sure that you make learning computer skills a choice for your partner.

  • If you feel that learning about the computer will be a way to address your partner's goals, encourage your partner to try.
  • If your partner is reluctant, be understanding and tactfully try to discover the reason for the reluctance.
  • Demonstrate some simple computer tasks so your partner is not intimidated.
  • Discuss some useful things your partner will be able to do by learning basic computer skills (for example: use an online catalog at the library, use literacy software programs, write letters using a word processing program, improve skills for future employment, etc.)

Let your partner know that you don't expect him or her to become a computer whiz - that you are just introducing new helpful skills There is no minimum skill level for using a computer. However, if your partner has a severe learning, developmental, or visual disability, you may want to practice some activities that require the same kinds of skills (visual attentiveness, digital dexterity, letter and symbol recognition, etc.) to see if your partner will be comfortable or frustrated with computer activities.Certain physical disabilities can also limit use of computers (carpal tunnel syndrome, for example).

Your Partner Will Need to Practice:

  • Mouse skills
  • Understanding toolbars: icons and drop menus
  • Keyboard skills
  • Start-up
  • Locating files
  • Naming and saving files
  • Creating folders
  • Deleting and restoring files
  • Shut down procedures


Before you begin to help your partner understand the computer:

  • Be sure that you are familiar with the particular computer and operating system you will be using (PC or Macintosh; DOS or a version of Windows).
  • Take some time to review the parts of the screen, the keyboard, and the mouse, so that you will be able to answer most of the questions your partner may have. But remember, don't pretend to be an expert if you are not. You are allowed to make errors.
    Everyone makes errors on a computer at some time or another! If you make a mistake, make light of it; don't get angry or frustrated! This will only frustrate your partner.
    If you can't figure something out, ask for help, check the "HELP" menu, or postpone the task until you have time to work it out. It will take many sessions at the computer for you to introduce the different procedures for using the computer. Don't rush things. Go one step at a time. Be sure your partner is relaxed and not frustrated by the activity. If you sense frustration, stop the activity and do something else. Come back to the activity at another time.

Computer Skill Introduction

Here is a good process to follow when introducing any computer skill

  • Demonstrate the skill, explaining each step as you perform it.
  • Have your partner explain the steps as you perform them.
  • Have your partner verbalize the steps as he or she performs the task (prompt as necessary).
  • Allow your partner to perform the task alone. Only prompt when asked.
  • Allow your partner to repeat the task as may times as are necessary to achieve a minimum comfort level. (But don't let the task become boring or frustrating - let your partner's response to the activity guide you. You can always come back to the task at a later time for more practice.)
  • Be sure your partner is comfortable with performing one task before moving on to another.

Mouse Skills

Open a word processing or other program you can use to demonstrate mouse skills or visit the Mousercise web page. Explain that the function of the mouse is to move the cursor around the screen.

Understanding the Desktop

  • At the "desktop" screen, examine with your partner the various program names, abbreviations, and icons that appear.
  • Point out especially those that your partner will most likely be using: word processing program, Internet connection, and any useful literacy software programs appearing on the desktop.
  • You may wish to create a card, or a sheet in your partner's notebook, with facsimiles of icons your partner will use often. Note next to each facsimile icon the things the program will do (word processing, art, puzzles, Internet, etc.) This will make a reference for your partner to use in the future.

Have your partner practice clicking on the various programs to open them. (Remember to close each program after opening. Too many open programs will only confuse a beginner.)

Toolbars: Icons and Drop Menus

  • Open a program that you intend your partner to use.
  • Point out only those toolbars and icons your partner will need.
  • Point out drop menus that you think will be useful to your partner.
  • Read through the items with your partner.
  • Explain what these icons and menu selections mean
  • Demonstrate what happens when you click on a particular icon or menu selection.
  • Tell your partner what you want to do on screen ("I want to make these words bold.") Then, have your partner tell you what icons or drop menu selections to click on to achieve your purpose.
  • Have your partner take over and perform the actions him/herself as you review the steps orally.Finally, have your partner perform the actions independently, only assisting when asked.Have your partner continue to practice these on-screen actions.
  • When your partner is comfortable with one section of the toolbar (for example: changing font and font size) move onto another section of the toolbar (for example: font style - bold, italic, or underscore)

Keyboard Skills

  • Prepare a very short piece of text (2 or 3 lines) that your partner will be able to read on-screen in a word processing program.
  • Have your partner look at the keyboard.
  • Have your partner identify the letters, numbers, and symbols on the keyboard.
  • Point out other keys and explain their functions. (For example: "tab" key makes the line of text move right; "shift" and "tab" makes the line of text move back to the left. Continue with the backspace, enter, cap lock, directional arrow keys, insert, home, delete, end, page up, page down, escape, and normal function of the shift key.)
    Save "control", "alt", and "function keys" until your partner is very comfortable using the general keys on the keyboard.
  • Demonstrate the use of the keys.Type the prepared text (VERY SLOWLY!) as your partner watches the keyboard and the screen.
  • Type the text again. Ask your partner to tell you what you should do (for example: "I want to use a capital letter H. What keys should I use?" or "I want to start a new paragraph. What key should I use?")
  • Have your partner practice typing in some of the same text, explaining as he/she goes what keys are needed.
  • move around in the text and on the screen using the keys rather than the mouse. As you move, explain what you are going to do and what key you will use to do it.
  • Have your partner practice using these same keys as you offer direction.
  • Have your partner practice moving on the screen independently, explaining to you what he/she is doing and what keys are being used.
  • Remember, always allow your partner to become comfortable performing one task procedure before beginning instruction in another.

Procedures

  • Start-up
  • Locating files
  • Naming and saving files
  • Creating folders
  • Deleting files (and restoring files)
  • Shut-downDifferent operating systems have different procedures for the items listed above.
  • Familiarize yourself with the procedures for the particular operating system you are using.
  • Review the tutoring process steps outlined in COMPUTER SKILL INTRODUCTION PROCESS above. Follow these steps to introduce these procedures to your partner. Remember, always allow your partner to become comfortable performing one procedure before beginning instruction in another.

Suggestions for Computer Activities for Your Partner

As you introduce computer skills, try to incorporate literacy skills with them. Below are two ideas for doing just that. Continue to check his site for more activities, or make up your own for other computer skills.

Keyboard Word Study

As well as practicing study words, this activity builds keyboard awareness and lets your partner practice locating and using the letter keys, the directional arrows, and the enter key as a line return.

Number Words

As well as practicing number words, your partner will learn the location of the number keys, practice using the enter key as a return and using the space bar, practice converting numbers to words, and practice using the letter keys.

  • Prepare a list of numbers (any numbers will do) that suit your partner's learning level. For example:2583118463Have your partner type each number on a single line and "enter" twice to allow space between.
  • Then, have your partner move the cursor to the end of the first number in the list and touch the space bar twice to move to the right of the number.
  • Next, have your partner type the numbers as words25 twenty-five83 eighty-three118 one hundred and eighteen 463 four hundred and sixty-three

Introducing the Internet to Adult Learners

Review Introducing Your Partner to the Computer. Be sure that your partner had the basic computer skills needed to use the Internet. Mouse skills and basic understanding of toolbars, including icons and drop menus, plus some basic keyboard skills.It will take many sessions at the Internet station for you to introduce the different procedures for accessing the Internet. Don't rush things. Go one step at a time. Be sure your partner is relaxed and not frustrated by the activity. If you sense frustration, stop the activity and do something else. Come back to the activity at another time.Your Partner Will Need to Practice:

  • Connecting to the Internet
  • Entering a URL address
  • Selecting a hypertext link
  • Entering a keyword or phrase
  • Using the back and forward arrows
  • Printing out web pages

Before you begin to help your partner use the Internet, be sure you are familiar with the computer system, browser, and Internet provider you will be using. Review the following steps you used when introducing basic computer skills. Use the same steps when introducing the Internet

Computer Skill Introduction Process

  • Demonstrate the skill, explaining each step as you perform it.
  • Have your partner explain the steps as you perform them.
  • Have your partner verbalize the steps as he or she performs the task (prompt as necessary).
  • Allow your partner to perform the task alone. Only prompt when asked.
  • Allow your partner to repeat the task as may times as are necessary to achieve a minimum comfort level. (But don't let the task become boring or frustrating - let your partner's response to the activity guide you. You can always come back to the task at a later time for more practice.)
  • Be sure your partner is comfortable with performing one task before moving on to another
    Remember, run through each of these procedures before you begin instructing your partner.
  • Be sure the sites and links you will be using are active and that you are able to explain the steps involved.Connecting to the Internet
  • Locate the Internet connection icon on the desktop, in the program listing, or program management screen.Demonstrate how to connect to the Internet (this will vary with your particular type of connection and Internet provider).
  • Then, continue to follow the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above. Examine the browser screen with your partner. Point out the tool bar and drop menu selections and icons, as you did in Introducing Computer Skills. Look at the various features on the screen such as the "search" window, identifying each feature and what it does. Point out the browser "home" icon and explain that if all else fails, your partner can click on this icon to return to the browser home screen and start over.Entering a URLWhen introducing the URL address box, emphasize the need for exactness in entering a URL address.Have a list of several addresses prepared that may be of interest to your partner.Introduce the procedure for entering a URL address by following the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above.Have your partner keep a list of addresses for future use that prove interesting.Selecting A Hypertext Link
  • After you have arrived at one of the sites from your address list, explain the concept of hypertext. Hypertext allows the user to move to another page in a web site or a new web site without entering a new address. The connection is already coded into the page in computer language that is not seen on-screen.Continue to follow the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above. Entering A Keyword or Phrase Explain that this is very much like looking up something in the Yellow pages or an encyclopedia.You are looking for web sites on a particular topic. You need to find a word or words to identify the topic so the "search engine" can look through lists of millions of web sites worldwide to find some that may suit your needs.
  • Brainstorm a list of topics with your partner.Choose one or more topics that would be of particular interest to your partner.
    Then, brainstorm again to come up with some words or phrases for each topic.
  • Follow the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above as you and your partner practice entering keywords and viewing the results of the searches.Using the Back and Forth Arrows
  • Choose a site you will visit with your partner. Arrive at the site by entering the URL, using a bookmark, or using a hypertext selection from a keyword search result.Introduce the use of the back and forward arrows in the toolbar by following the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above.Printing out Web PagesYour partner may want to use information found on a web site away from the computer. Following the steps in the Computer Skills Introduction Process above, introduce the print procedure. (Procedures differ depending on the Internet provider, computer, and printer.)Suggestions for Internet

Activities for Your Partner

As you introduce Internet skills, incorporate literacy skills with them. "Surf" for sites that will be of interest to your partner. Start with some of the sites in Learners Will Love...You can use materials from the Internet the same way you would use print materials:

  • As a background topic for a lesson
  • As text for reading
  • As a word study activity
  • As a springboard for a writing activity
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