[Moodle] Basic IT Skills

[Keith Richardson]

Hi Frank.
My initial reaction is a positive one, but with a degree of caution. I
find that kids get turned off when I try to teach a set of skills
(apparantly for the skill's own sake), so neither work enthusiastically
nor well, and fail to transfer what they have learnt into new
educational situations.

My thinking during planning therefore, flows along the following lines:
1/ first I identify the skills I want them to 'internalize' (so that
they become automatic and almost instinctive).
2/ then I think creatively of various ways I can generate a 'genuine
felt need' in the student for each of the pre-defined skills
3/ then I think of how I can have the tuition available in a JIT (just
in time) setup - maybe using moodle or some other device.
4/ I would then set up a series of challenges for the kids to overcome,
and they would be able to use many varied sources for advice etc.
5/ I would then set up a quiz or testing scenario that measures for the
student (and me) how well they are able to apply each required skill in
a new situation (thus checking transference of learning, quality of
understanding, and level of skill). Moodle quiz module is great for that
perhaps(?).
6/ above all, the whole activity should be FUN.

Cheers, Keith



On Sat, 20 May 2006 14:25:04 +1000, frankm at sjcs.melb.catholic.edu.au
said:
> 
> Dear Fellow IT Teachers,
> We are currently in the process of working out what we (IT) will be
> offering in our vertical curriculum structure, that begin in year 8 and
> finishes in year 10.
> 
> We are planning to introduce a "foundation" semester length IT unit into
> year 8 that would address many of the basic VELS ICT skills. We see that
> this as an effective way of preparing students to utilise ICT in other
> KLAs more effectively. With such a unit, IT teachers would be able to
> teach the required foundation (basic) skills in a consistent manner.
> Ideally one would rather have this type of unit in Year 7, but curriculum
> restructuring last year lead to computer studies beng deleted from the
> year 7 curriculum.
> 
> I am wondering if you have set up such a unit in your school, perhaps in
> years 7 or 8 or even 9. Also, I am currently evaluating how the book
> 'Practice IT' book 1 (new edition) could fit into such a programme. For
> example, if you have experience in the use of Practice IT, how many units
> from the book have you found you can complete in a semester?
> 
> I welcome any ideas/suggestions you may in this matter. 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> ---
> Frank Merlino
> St. Joseph's College
> 135 Aphrasia St
> Newtown, Geelong, Vic
> Australia, 3220
> (03 52 268100)
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Keith Richardson
Leibler Yavneh College
Elsternwick Ph (03)9528 4911
keithcr at fastmail.fm