TOP 10 Keyboarding GOALS -

It is keyboarding time in the Computer Lab and I have been re-evaluating my teaching methods.

Every year I have a Keyboard Challenge inspiring my students to advance in their skills.  I have developed some amazing computer keyboarders over the years, but at the same time have many that have poor skills.  A few weeks ago an 8th grade student asked me to evaluate her to see if she should test out of the basic Keyboarding course at Bishop Kelley.  She is one of our top students, so I was sure I didn't even need to observe her.  She came in the next morning and logged on to the typing test.  My heart sank as I watched her technique go against everything I had taught her.  I felt like Jesus who lost one of his little sheep.  I want EVERY one of my students to be the best he/she can be.  She was all over the keyboard, couldn't keep from hunting and pecking for the words that were on the test.  I know in my heart that she can survive with the low level skills she has, but I also know that these poor skills will slow her down in so many ways - she will always have to think where the keys are instead of riding that keyboard like a bike - flying in the wind not paying a bit of attention to her balancing skills.

This experience has driven me to take an about-turn in my lab.  My students have been working hard for several weeks on this year's Keyboard Challenge racing through the levels trying hard to earn stars.  Over the weekend, I spent hours sewing my new keyboard covers designed to force my students to concentrate on the TOP 10 GOALS of PROPER KEYBOARDING.  

I thought I was in for some hard times covering the keyboards the way I did.  I did have some pretty sour looking faces, but didn't give them any consideration.  I do have various other keyboard covers, but nothing seems to work.  I knew I needed to create something myself that will allow my students to develop the muscle memory they need to develop proper technique.  The trick is, I am keeping these covers on for every project, not just keyboarding - forcing my students to use proper technique all the time.

My goal is to be like the Good Shepherd and not loose even one little sheep in the mission of teaching good keyboarding skills.  

Let the Challenge begin . . .

Digital Citizenship . . .

More and more children are going on-line and at a younger and younger age.  In Tech Ed we discuss the importance of being safe on-line but also the fact that their on-line personality is developing in addition to their real-world personality.  We all need to be aware that we are leaving footprints that can define us in the digital world.  Students especially need to be aware of this, as many are operating on-line unsupervised.  I am in hopes my lesson will bring further discussion at home with parents about this important issue.

Here students are filling a digital footprint in Publisher with predictions of what I might find in ten years if I Googled them.  They really enjoyed this project and had fun making predictions.

Hour of Code Challenges us All -

 I am so proud of all your kids this week. Throughout many computer hick-ups, crashes, blocking and other computer issues from the site, your kids have pushed forward to beat that Angry Bird. This computer lesson also doubled up as a lesson in life - our reaction to problems determines our success. In spite of the site issues, students are earning their certificate and special sweet treat from me. Way to go to all your kids!

Hour of Code - Computer Programming Project

It has been a tough week in the lab.  We are all learning how technology can test our patience.  The Hour of Code promotion has been filled with many computer bugs and glitches.   I have been so proud of my students for their perseverance in our programming project.  Several students have already completed programming their angry bird all through 20 levels.

Excel Spreadsheets can be very sweet . . .

5th/6th Graders enjoy counting and entering their data in their Excel spreadsheets.  Hopefully, none of the data was lost as the sweet temptation of M&M's might cause a student to sneak a few tiny bits.  

Next Week . . . .

. . . during their computer class, students will participate in the HOUR OF CODE.  Ask your student about information and details as they will be able to log in at home and complete their programming challenges.

Red Ribbon Week - Drug FREE . . .

Keyboarding can be fun when you are creating a playlist for your iPod.  My lab theme for Red Ribbon Week was "itune out drugs" and I had students create their own playlist of creative song titles about staying drug free.  The students loved printing their own iPod with playlist to take home and put in their room.  Older students formatting their iPod in Publisher and created a poster.

Inspirational Message formatted in the Computer Lab . . .

Third and Fourth Graders worked in Microsoft Publisher this past week.  They learned how to format text boxes and work with fonts and layout.  The project even had an inspirational message that puts Jesus at the heart of our computer work.

Robotics - Green City Challenge

7th/8th Grade students working on their Green City Challenge robotics missions.  We discussed renewable energy and they are now programming their robots to solve energy issues - plug the dam, activate the wind turbine, attach a solar panel to the house and sort trash.  Creativity and cooperation are the main components to success in this elective.