Module 9: Technology Skills for Students
(created by Faraj Aljarih and Hatim Abuljheb)
Many teachers expect that students know how to deal with basic technology skills such as using a mouse, keyboarding, or understanding the computer environment generally, and as a result, they are able to perform other advanced tasks. However, many students do not know how to deal with such basic computer skills and therefore, they may encounter difficulties in performing class tasks. In order to tackle this issue, a number of useful websites are provided in this module to assist students in gaining basic technology skills. These websites can be easily used by young and adult students to learn and practice different basic computer skills.
Typing Skills
-
This BBC Dance Mat:
This BBC website provides typing practice and activities for young students from different levels. It teaches very basic typing skills in a fun and interesting way. It helps students to practice typing through listening to instructions and demonstrates which fingers type each letter. It also shows when students hit the wrong key by calling them to hit the right one.
-
Touch Typing Study:
The Typing Study website is designed for adult students to learn basic typing skills. What makes this website different from other typing websites is that it is available in more than 40 languages for both instructions and keyboard. It also includes 15 typing lessons for all levels, from beginner to advanced, in addition to typing games and tests.
Basic Mousing Skills
-
Mini Mouse:
Mini Mouse is a website that provides a number of games for young students to practice mouse skills such as moving the mouse, clicking, and dragging. Young students need to make certain mouse clicks, moves and dragging to acquire golden stars and win the game. If they fail to do so, they will lose a golden star each time.
-
Jig Zone:
Jig Zone is a website that provides a number of puzzle games for adult students to practice mouse skills such as moving the mouse, clicking, and dragging. Adult students need to click and drag puzzle parts to complete certain pictures. This game also supports students' thinking skills.
Mouse, Keyboard, and Other Skills
-
Skillful Senior:
Skillful Senior is designed for adults and includes most of the basic technology skills such as using the mouse, keyboarding, arrows and function keys, in addition to ergonomics, which refers to using the computer in a way that won’t result in pain.
-
Live Binders:
This website is designed for young learners and it contains different basic technology skills. It includes basic mouse and keyboard skills in addition to understanding computer parts and online safety. The website provides different levels of computer skills starting from preschool and kindergarten up to high school skills. Every level contains a number of games and practice with interesting and easy to use features.
An example from this website is "Lesson 1: Computer Basics", which teaches naming the parts of a computer. This lesson describes the computer parts; monitor, mouse, and keyboard, in an easily understood way, and provides a chance for students to practice identifying those parts:
Guidelines
- Don't touch a student's mouse unless absolutely necessary.
- Guide the student orally to fix the issue or problem. This supports their learning of both the technology and the language!
