Computer Curriculum,Middle School Computer Lessons, High School Computer Lessons

Are you looking for a curriculum for your Computer or Technology class? MSCL Publishing has just what you are looking for. Curriculums designed for beginner or experienced teachers in mind. The lessons are complete with student and teacher instructions, worksheets and rubrics, everything you need to create a successful computer program in your school The lessons work with any version of Office or Google docs and are project based. To request a few free samples to see what it is all about visit. www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com 

Computer Curriculum,Middle School Computer Lessons, High School Computer Lessons

Typing Class: Middle School Computer Lessons

Typing Class: Middle School Computer Lessons

Do you teach a keyboarding class? Today, typing on a keyboard is still a vital skill for students. With more high stakes tests (PARCC) being taken on computers, keyboarding is more important than ever. However, teaching just keyboarding is boring! You need to spice up your typing instruction with some interesting lessons that can relate to students lives and draw their interests. If you are just teaching a class that covers typing only, good luck. you are probably dealing with student behavior issues and kids looking at their fingers on the keys just to get through your class. I recommend that your class only types for 5-7 (10 at the most) minutes of typing each time you meet. Short and sweet at the end of the class. Brain research dictates that the beginning of a class is the most vital time for learning. More than likely you use this time for your keyboarding, really the last few minutes may be the best time for keyboarding.

If you are looking for classroom computer lessons that will interest your students, check out www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com and check out the 2 free sample lessons from the “Complete Middle School Computer Curriculum”.

 

@mprezios

Middle School Computer Lessons, Office tools in the classroom: What is the best choice?

Middle School Computer Lessons, Office tools in the classroom: What is the best choice?

Does your school use Office (probably the 2003 version) or Office 360, maybe Google Docs? What one is the best choice for the schools of today? More importantly, how will you adjust your instruction to whatever tools you have. The lessons at www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com are presented in a way so that they can be used with any office or office type program PC, or Mac, Microsoft or Google.

Also, you will need to consider what devices will the students use. Do you have desktop pc’s? Netbooks? Tablets? or do they bring their own? Given the choice I feel that Google docs is the best option, it can easily be used on any device at school or at home. It makes collaboration easy and it is free.

If you are looking for middle school computer lessons or simple high school computer lessons visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com and request 2 free sample lessons from the Complete Computer curriculum.

Twitter: @mprezios

 

Apple Factory Lesson; Middle School Computer Lessons

Apple Factory Lesson; Middle School Computer Lessons

There was recently a story on ABC news about the factory in China that produces iPods, iPods and other apple products. It is less than 20 minutes long and my class was glued to it like it was ICarley. This video shows the lives of the factory workers inside and outside of its walls.

A few things really stood out to me, like how most of my kids could not believe that iPods were made in china. Despite it saying on all Apple products “Designed in California made in China”, the majority of them thought they were made here.

Another thing was how most of the workers at the factory had never seen the finished product. They had never held an iPad before, despite working on them 12 hours a day and living at the factory. That is an interesting concept for kids to wrap their heads around. I told them it was like you work at McDonald’s but never ate the food.

After the video and a brief discussion I asked them to write about the following questions:

1. What are 3 reasons Chinese people want to work in the Apple factory?          2. What are 3 reasons someone would not want to work at the Apple factory?3. Would you want to work in the factory that makes Apple products? Explain why or why not in at least one paragraph.

I would love to hear your comments!

For more ideas visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

How I use Skype; Middle School Computer lessons

How I use Skype; Middle School Computer lessons

In my room, I have my netbook that I use for instructions connected to skype. In the past I have used it for skyping with other teachers and classes throughout the country. Yesterday, I used it a little differently.

My 8th grade class is going to the High School next year and many of them had questions about the computer classes that were offered there. So, during my 8th grade class we skyped with the computer teacher at the HS. He gave my students a brief description of his classes and answered any questions that they had. It went well. He used an IPad and I used a tablet pc. He also showed him the lab via the ipad, which was good for them to see. I plan on repeating this in the future.

I would love to hear your comments!

For more great lesson ideas visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

Middle School Computer Lesons; 5 Essential Student Skills

Middle School Computer Lessons; 5 Essential Student Skills

If you are currently teaching a computer class or have just been told that you will be next school year, what are the 5 most important things to cover in your class? For my students, I feel that giving them a broad range of computer activities and experiences is the best way to help them grow as learners. In my class we may not cover one topic exhaustively but cover many topics lightly. My students only have my class for approximately 45 days per year and I feel it is in their best interest to introduce as many things during tha t time as possible.

– If you are looking for great “Middle School Computer Lessons” visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com for classroom and teacher books.

The top five skills that I try to emphasize with my class are:

5- Social media – this class discussion is always an interesting one

4- Web Navigation– Students benefit from sharpening their search skills; There is a great “Google Search Game” in my book.

3- Office skills– Word Processing, Presentation tools, Excel…

2- Typing/Keyboarding– Text all you want, typing with a keyboard is still where it is at…for now

1- Being able to use the computer as a tool to achieve your goals. Helping students choose the proper avenue and tool when utilizing computer skills in their real life.  This includes troubleshooting common errors and problem solving.

I would love to hear your comments!

For more ideas visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

Middle School Computer Lessons; Google Earth Scavenger Hunt

Middle School Computer Lessons; Google Earth Scavenger Hunt

If you are looking for an interesting way to introduce Google Earth to your students, I have an activity for you. This this activity is good for about 3 class periods.

During the first class, I like to introduce Google Earth (GE) to the class by a little class discussion to see who is familiar with it. I find about half of younger students have never heard of it. Either way, I will show the location of our school then introduce some of the basic tools. I give the rest of the period as a day to “Explore” GE. I ask them to find the school, their house and at least one other place and add place marks to them. Towards the end of class we will discuss some interesting things that they have discovered.

I use the iPad in my class by showing them GE on it and then having a few students travel down the hallway with it and they can observe the little blue dot move as they move in the building. (This is pretty popular with my students). Your building would have to be wireless for this to work.

The next day I pair up my students and hand out my GE Scavenger hunt. It includes Questions that you need GE to answer and a rubric for them to write their answers on. I total up the points when they are finished, It takes 1-2 class periods. This can get pretty competitive, my classes love this activity and it makes them use GE as a tool in ways that they may not have thought of before. During this activity, my role is to guide the pairs of students as needed. I don’t give answers, only clues.

Google earth scavenger Hunt & Rubric

 For more Middle School Computer Lessons and ideas visit:  www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com  and for 2 more free sample lessons email support@middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

Middle School Computer Lessons: Why I deleted my Twitter account.

Middle School Computer Lessons: Why I deleted my Twitter account.

Teaching technology to young adults it like teaching fish how to swim.

They already know how and they are probably already really good at it. There fore, my daily challenge is to capture their interest long enough to introduce them to something they may not know about.

I am all about expanding the “Tech Experiences” of my students. It may be something as simple as showing them where the “~” key is on the keyboard (That is a tilde, by the way) or as complex as programming a robot to follow a line on the floor.

However, when it comes to social media I am no expert. I purposely never started a My Space or Face-Tube or whatever account, it just really didn’t interest me. Not too long ago I did start a Twitter account exclusively to get Tweeters from Jeff Probst of Survivor. It went pretty along with no problems and I added a few more people, I was kind of into it, it was kind of interesting. But after a while I would have hundreds of tweets and I was constantly checking my account, I became increasingly annoyed. Then just deleted the whole thing. Do I really care what “Steve Martin” is doing, apparently not that much. The novelty wore off and I was done. I dont want more things to do on my phone/device. Is Twitter here to stay, maybe but not for me.

Really though, when I ask my students who has a Twitter account it may be about 2 per class 8%….I am surprised to see the ones that don’t even know what is is. Facebook  however, I would say that 90%+ have one. They could teach me a thing or two.

An interesting activity I do in class it to make a graph of students who use what type of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Myyearbook, and even “email”)

I would love to hear your comments!

For Middle School Computer Lessons and ideas visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

Are Tablets the Future of Education? Middle School Computer Lessons

Are Tablets the Future of Education?

Not too long ago, I was convinced that Netbooks were the way to go for the future of education technology. I am not so sure any more. With the prices of tablets coming down significantly, tablets look better and better..

I feel that the Ipad is the Cadillac of all tablets, it is the best without question. However, with the soon to come tablet from Amazon, and dozens of competitors including all Android devices, tablets seem like a viable option to schools.

Some may say that BYOD “Bring Your Own Device” is the way to go. Maybe for high schools, but for middle schoolers a variety of devices is problematic for instruction.

Tablets are more and more attractive for several reasons: 1. Prices are falling; $200 per tablet could be the key for districts to move away from print books to a 1 to 1 tablet model. 2. Portability could make it easier for students to carry the device instead of a pile of books. 3. Tech savvy students would welcome tablets to replace bulky textbooks.

For materials/books/ebooks to use in your technology class visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com

Cell Phones During the School Day?

Does your Middle School (JR. High) allow students to carry and use their cell phones during the school day? My school is currently trying this policy and I have a few reservations.

I do teach technology but I keep thinking that the bad outweighs the good. Here are a few reasons why:

-Uncensored content- The school has no say as to what students are looking at.

– Phone as a status symbol- Kids with more money can show off what they have.

– Devices getting lost or stolen.

– Use of the camera in a phone

-Posting on Facebook during the school day (Cyberbullying)

I do like the idea of then having phones but turned off and in a locker feels like the better solution.

I would love to hear your comments!

For the best middle school computer lessons visit www.middleschoolcomputerlessons.com