Lesson Plan

[Cisridn]

Can anyone help me to put together a lesson plan on how to train someone on how to use their computer starting with the very basic's. I really do not know were to start.

Thanks

[mbossman2]

turn it on?


seriously, you'll want to cover:

Mouse use basics (a couple, ten games of solitaire will take care of that)
how to open and close applications and files
how to save files in an organized fashion
how to install and uninstall applications

after that it becomes a "how to use the applications and operating system"

what is your student's ultimate goal? basic, intermediate, advanced? set some goals and then figure out how to get there.

[HAL9000]

First place to start... show them how to get to and start Solitaire... let them play.

[Cisridn]

Thanks for the suggestions. :)

My goal is to get my clients to intermediate level. I do one on one training. Most of them already have some basics down, but they just don't know it.

Most of them don't know what level they want to get to, so I have decided to try to put something together for them.

[mbossman2]

that opens up a whole host of questions:

do they want in depth knowledge of:

the o/s?
applications? if so which ones?

the scope of the curriculum would be pretty big...

[Mesaeus]

I can only suggest one thing : make sure they understand why every single action by them does something. Do not make the mistake of trying to cut corners and learn them a set sequence of actions to accomplish something, like "Press Ctrl-P and then OK to print". It may seem basic, but if you really learn people what programs are, and how the standard elements of a Windows interface work, shortcut keys will be an easy addon. In fact if you do it right, people will be able to figure out how to print on their own instead of you having to teach them a sequence of clicks/key presses they don't understand for every little thing they do.

It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine that there's a gazillion beginners courses that all make the same basic mistake of going way too fast and covering too much ground, learning only sequences of actions instead of the whole fundament of how computers work. A much longer, detailed course that concentrates on the why of every action more than on the how would be worth a thousand beginners courses.

If I can give you one advice : aim low and make sure you reach that target. You will have accomplished much more than if you try to cram it all in a few sessions.

</end rant>

[Cisridn]

I understand what you are staying Mesaeus.

One of the things I was worried about when I teaching someone is if I am going to fast. Currently I just let them ask me questions about what's on their computer and I just take my time and explain what it is.

The reason I would like to put together a lesson plan is so that I have some type of map that I can follow and I am not all over the place.
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I have decided that I will just cover the O/S, mbossman2

[piasabird]

Well there is the hardware level.
Proper way to turn on/off a computer as to not cause damage to data.

Then there is the Operating system level.
This is windows.
Every window has the same elements.
Finding Files
Opening Files
Copying Files
Deleting files (Or how to not delete files)
Where to save files
Folders
Drives(and or logical)
Network problems- Cant find Printer/Network Drive or
How to reconnect to the network
Printers

Then there are software packages.
Prohibited Software
What is allowed on the Internet, prohibited sites, etc.
E-Mail
Browser
Word (Word Processor)
Excel
Access database
Power Point Presentations

Business Level Software
Company level software like a database
Company software security, login, password
Security, Security, Security.

Never ever ever ever ever open E-mail Attachments.
Email is evil
Ati-virus
Firewall
Official Download Policy
Official installing of software policy

The lack of an expected privacy for personal use and the fact that you
are monitoring their activity.

Fax Server
Phone messages in your E-mail.

[Cisridn]

Thanks piasabird,

This is very helpful.

[Cricket]

How to help someone use a computer. (http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/how-to-help.html)

:) Cricket

[Cisridn]

Thanks Cricket,

That article brings up some great points.