Introduction to Computers (Period 2-6)

Our Introduction to Computers class provides students with the opportunity to learn how to “touch type” and to format pages once they have been created. We use an online program, Typing Agent, to train students in touch typing skills. Instructional games are included in the program to provide a fun way to practice and reinforce the typing skills students are learning. Once the students can touch type, they use Microsoft Word to develop their word processing skills – learning how to format pages (make words bold, italic, underlined, etc.), to alter the size and style of lettering, adding images, tables, etc.

We began the semester with a major research project, investigating the life of a famous person (every student made their own choice). The students explored the Internet to gather quotations and citations, organized the material into an outline, wrote their first thoughts about their person, included the quotations in the appropriate sections and paragraphs of their "first thoughts," and wrote a final draft of their research project. This information will be used in the students' Final Exam when they are to type a minimum of three pages in one sitting (one of the Common Core Standards for our course).