The first day of course went completely different than I had planned.  We see kids touching all this technology and we make an assumption that they are pretty competent when it comes to using a computer.  WRONG!

Half the class scored under 15 WPM when i administered a typing test.  (Should have given a WPM texting test).  Many could not respond correctly to terms such as:

• Open a browser
• Go to My Documents
• Shut the computer down.

But we forged on, made adjustments for the very different levels of computer skills in the class.  But here are some interesting thoughts I have formed over the last 6 weeks.

1. Kids are great but they came is so many different types of packages.  You have to pay alot of attention to the package’s needs to impact learning.
2. Real world examples are still difficult for them to relate too, so you have to find examples from their world.
3. There is no FEAR

I have taught many adult computer classes and I had to stop because I couldn’t deal with the FEAR factor anymore.  “OOOOOOOOHHH I just know I’m going to break it!”.  The kids have no fear.  They click away till somthing works the way it should.  When we are in Word and I tell them to insert a Times New Roman 24 pt Title… within seconds they are off exploring all the differnt fonts and colors and sizes and shapes.  So I let them.  Times New Roman 24 pt is boring.

Next week they are creating a newsletter about themselves.  I think this will be fun!