Masters Thesis

Three units of computer study for grade six students

There are few resources available to teachers who have limited training and understanding of computers but who are required, by recent changes in their school districts' curriculum, to teach units of computer study. This project is intended as a primer for grade six teachers to assist in the planning and presentation of three units of computer study. This project includes the following units: (1) Word Processing; (2) BASIC Programming; and (3) Low-Resolution Graphics. Each of these units is divided into weekly lessons that require as little as thirty minutes of teacher presentation time each week. The students' weekly activities are designed to be completed in the classroom computer learning center. The weekly lessons include: (1) an overview, new vocabulary and lesson objectives; (2) teacher preparation suggestions; (3) lesson presentation ideas; (4) evaluation guide, grading, displaying and rewarding students' work; and (5) daily student activities, work sheets and journal pages. Special attention is given to provide directions in language teachers and students can easily understand. As teachers proceed through the three units, they will find examples and demonstrations of basic programming techniques. The goal of each unit is to enable teachers as well as students to become more confident computer users. The scope of this project includes: (1) review of literature relevant to the use of the computer as an educational tool; (2) description of the process used to develop the three units; (3) expanded lesson plans; (4) description of the use and content of the units; and (5) references and resources for teachers and students who would like to enlarge their knowledge of this interesting field.

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