RE: computerdisc-l: Sequencing of Computer Courses

["Patti S. Abraham" <psa1@ra.msstate.edu>]

Those courses you recommend sound good to me.  The new Office package
contains some new components. . .one is Mic. Publisher.  Students would
love desktop publishing.  I agree with telecommunications.  It should
include web pages.  I like the idea of Hyperstudio as well.  Wouldn't it
be exciting for them to learn to use digital camera and scanners and
incorporate all of this and video into presentations.  If we could get the
schools to support it, the skies the limit.  

Wouldn't it be great if the kids could help the teachers and teach them.  


Dr. Patti S. Abraham psa1@ra.msstate.ed
Professor, Department of Technology and Education
Mississippi State University
Voice: 601-325-2280	FAX: 601-325-7599	Internet: psa1@ra.msstate.edu

On Thu, 25 Feb 1999, Cynthia Kahler wrote:

> Our school offers very little after Computer Discovery (besides Tech Disc 
> in the 9th), which bothers me.  A half-year course is offered in Office at 
> the high school, and I believe some sort of Internet course, but from what 
> I understand from my previous students it is not challenging enough to 
> attract students who want a challenging elective.  Most take it to replace 
> the CD course if they fail.  It concerns me that our students have 
> preparation at the 8th grade level, but not enough followup afterwards to 
> maintain, increase interest, and perfect skills.
> 
> My feelings: I would love to see a semester course on making home pages - 
> what a wonderful way to have a school home page, let the students do it. 
>  They could eventually make one for every teacher in the school system. 
>  I'd also love to see a course at the high school level on PowerPoint or 
> Hyprstudio - have the students create presentations for academic teachers - 
> maybe as a benefit begin to get teachers interested in technology.  I'd 
> also like to see programming courses at the high school level - we use to 
> have one, but now have none offered.  Some of my students are learning 
> Visual Basic programming on their own, and what an exercise in logical 
> thinking.  Sorry, no concrete info on the sequence at our school - just my 
> personal wish list.
> 
> We are criticized too on the keyboarding.  I believe that is due in part to 
> the lack of self discipline of this age group and the fact that the course 
> is not an issue of retention at our school.  My serious students can often 
> come close to out-typing me, but then - they are serious.
> 
> Cynthia Kahler
> Oxford Middle School
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	kossuth [SMTP:sfollin@network-one.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, February 25, 1999 2:04 PM
> To:	computerdisc-l@Lists.MsState.Edu
> Subject:	computerdisc-l: Sequencing of Computer Courses
> 
> I sat in on a meeting at our school today where my opinion was asked as
> to what courses should be offered after Computer Discovery and in what
> sequence.  I was not sure what to tell them.  I took a guess.  If any of
> you know what sequence your school follows, please let me know.  There
> has been some complaints also that students who leave my class are not
> keyboard proficient enough to continue in higher level computer
> courses.  This upsets me a little because as a keyboarding teacher with
> a business education background, I emphasize keyboarding skills all
> year.
> 
> Thanks
> Suzanne Follin
> Kossuth High School
> 
>