|
Computer Skills for Youth
|
This course provides youth with step-by-step instruction in computer
usage. Each lesson is presented within the context of enjoyable activities
that also teach core life skills such as budgeting, valuing the community
and job readiness.
The course is divided into two sections to allow students to mark their
own progress and effectively build on skills already learned. Computer
Essentials provides an introduction to the computer, the Internet
and basic applications. Computer Proficiency allows
for increased self-expression and team involvement through Power Point
Presentations and the creation of Personal web pages. The modules in
the course are integrated and taught as part of one comprehensive program for
youth. |
| |
|
Computer Essentials
|
| |
|
Get Started
|
|
This module introduces participants to the fundamentals of operating a computer and its programs. Teens answer an online survey in which they report their level of computer experience and career goals. Once participants complete and print the survey, they explore computer games.
|
| |
|
Get Connected
|
|
In their introduction to the online experience, participants sign up for an email address that they can use on any computer connected to the Internet. Participants share their email address with their class members and Instructor. They learn to create group lists, edit their address book and manage their email account.
|
| |
|
Take Pictures
|
|
Participants learn to use a digital camera to take, download and print pictures. They also learn to change the memory card in the digital camera, understand picture quality options, and save a picture for use in a web page.
|
| |
|
Find the Facts
|
|
Using the Internet, participants learn to use search engines, portals such as Yahoo! and key words and subject matter searches to find information. They navigate between web pages and search tools, learning to keep track of sites they have visited. Participants also install the Encarta Reference Suite and learn how to use this resource to find information.
|
| |
|
Document Your Goals
|
|
In this goal-setting module, participants learn to use a word processing program to create a document. While learning how to format text and insert a picture from the Take Pictures module, participants also write their short- and long-term goals. This work becomes the basis for the personal web page that they create later in the program.
|
| |
|
Write a Report
|
|
Participants use a word processing program to create a report on a specific topic. They copy and paste text and pictures from the Encarta Encyclopedia and the web into a Microsoft Word document. Participants then learn how to crop and resize a picture and to set text wrapping options in a Word document.
|
| |
|
Create Flyers and Invitations
|
|
Using WordArt objects, Clip Art and formatted text, participants create an invitation to their graduation ceremony as well as a flyer to advertise a service or community event.
|
| |
|
Apply for a Job
|
|
Participants prepare for employment by creating a resume, cover letter and personalized envelope. They practice inserting and formatting tables in Microsoft Word to create their resume and learn how to best present their skills and education to potential employers.
|
| |
|
Balance Your Budget
|
|
While learning the basics of Excel spreadsheets, participants develop a budget, calculate their income and expenses and create charts to analyze their budgets. This module complements the Life Skills module on money management.
|
| |
|
Required Hardware:
|
Digital camera with appropriate manufacture software
|
| |
|
Required Software:
|
Internet Explorer 5.0 or better
Microsoft Encarta 2003
Microsoft Excel 2000 or XP
Microsoft Picture It!
Microsoft Word 2000 or XP |
| |
|
Computer Proficiency
|
| |
|
Map Your Community
|
|
Instructors engage participants in a discussion about communities, then involve participants in identifying local landmarks and sites on a large community map. In this module, participants locate a map of their neighborhood on the Internet and learn to use tools to import, resize and label the map into a Microsoft Word document.
|
| |
|
Conduct a Survey
|
|
Participants create a survey form with check boxes and numbered questions to take in their community. They learn to use Format Painter to copy formatting, to insert page breaks and to change spacing between lines in a document. After printing multiple copies of the form, participants survey neighbors, family and friends.
|
| |
|
Analyze a Survey
|
|
In this module, the class enters their surveys into a spreadsheet and then analyzes the data. Using the data, participants create tables and charts showing the results. Participants learn to format, switch between and print Excel worksheets.
|
| |
|
Recognize Everyday HEROES
|
|
In H.E.R.O. E. S. - Helping Everyone Recognize Outstanding Everyday Superstars - participants learn to value people in their community who extend themselves to make a difference in others' lives. They identify a local hero and create a news story with a picture that they then email to the Instructor, who helps the youth create tabloid-sized printouts.
|
| |
|
Present Slides
|
|
This module teaches the basic skills needed to create and give a PowerPoint slide presentation. Participants learn to deliver a presentation, print audience handouts and rearrange slides.
|
| |
|
Create a Team Presentation
|
|
The goal of this module is to create a presentation that showcases all the things participants have learned in the computer course. The PowerPoint presentation includes the results of the community survey and data analysis, animations and sound. (Have to mention "team work")
|
| |
|
Create a Personal Web Page
|
|
Participants create a personal web page from the document they made in the Document Your Goals module. Participants add color, pictures, animations and links to their web page. They also link their page to other web pages.
|
| |
|
Required Hardware:
|
Scanner
|
| |
|
Required Software:
|
Internet 5.0 or better
Microsoft Excel 2000 or XP
Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 or XP
Microsoft Word 2000 or XP
|
