Computer Class (2 Hours, 3 Students)
Class started with an introduction to PDFs. I used tax forms as an example because I couldn't come up with any other examples. We practiced rotating and zooming the document. We talked about what a PDF is, including the difference between forms you can fill out and forms that are read-only. I happen to strongly dislike PDFs and barely manage to keep from pulling my hair out when using them. I told them as much so that when they start to smash their computer when attempting to use a PDF, they might remember that the frustration happens to others, too.
That necessary unpleasantness over, we moved on to keystroke shortcuts for copy and pasting. But wait! Google Docs wouldn't paste pictures with the keystrokes. I tried earlier that day to make sure you don't have to use the mouse, but when I got to class it wouldn't work. On to Plan B.
For those using library computers, I had them open Word and they had success copy and pasting pictures without using the mouse. For those using their own computers and not owning Word, I fussed with it a little to see if I could get it to work, but for some reason, no pictures would paste.
Then I switched everyone to copying and pasting text. This worked in Google Docs, so everyone was able to have a positive experience using keystrokes.
I had them start with pictures because highlighting text takes more mouse skills than clicking on a photo to select it. We used the sample photos from the computer hard drive and text from whatever web page they happened to have open.
Everyone caught on quickly and easily remembered the keystrokes. They also got to see how several copies will be pasted if you continue to hold down the keys and learned to use CTRL + Z to undo a paste.
That necessary unpleasantness over, we moved on to keystroke shortcuts for copy and pasting. But wait! Google Docs wouldn't paste pictures with the keystrokes. I tried earlier that day to make sure you don't have to use the mouse, but when I got to class it wouldn't work. On to Plan B.
For those using library computers, I had them open Word and they had success copy and pasting pictures without using the mouse. For those using their own computers and not owning Word, I fussed with it a little to see if I could get it to work, but for some reason, no pictures would paste.
Then I switched everyone to copying and pasting text. This worked in Google Docs, so everyone was able to have a positive experience using keystrokes.
I had them start with pictures because highlighting text takes more mouse skills than clicking on a photo to select it. We used the sample photos from the computer hard drive and text from whatever web page they happened to have open.
Everyone caught on quickly and easily remembered the keystrokes. They also got to see how several copies will be pasted if you continue to hold down the keys and learned to use CTRL + Z to undo a paste.
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