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Computers are used in literacy programs for a variety of purposes. In many
literacy programs, a computer is an educational tool used to help students
improve their literacy skills. Computers may also be used to provide students
with computer training. In both cases, students need to master some basic word
processing skills such as the ones listed below. These skills allow students to
attempt a wide variety of literacy tasks such as typing a grocery list, a
letter of complaint, a resume, or an autobiography.
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Still Learning |
Needs More Practice |
Mastered |
| Generate Text |
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| Type words using capital letters and spaces. |
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| Type lists using the return key. |
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| Type sentences including punctuation. |
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| Type paragraphs using the tab key. |
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| Type letters using the appropriate spacing. |
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| Type charts using the tab key or a table tool. |
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| Type numbered lists using the appropriate
indentation. |
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| Edit Text |
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| Erase what has just been typed. |
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| Use the mouse to move and insert/delete text. |
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| Insert/delete lines in a list, letter, etc. |
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| Edit spelling using a spelling tool. |
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| Format Text |
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| Use different text formats: fonts, sizes and
styles. |
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| Use different alignments: left, center and
right. |
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| Manage a Document |
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| Start a new document. |
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| Save a document. |
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| Print a document. |
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| Close a document. |
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| Open a document. |
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If you are interested in teaching word processing skills such as these
and/or more advanced computer skills, here are some resources you may want to
consult.
| Resource |
Description |
Learners |
Integrated |
Computer Skills |
Lessons Plans |
Assessment Tools |
Basic Computer Literacy for Adults - http://www.aalrc.org/cl
/welcomecl.html |
Basic online course |
Adult literacy students |
No |
General knowledge, hardware, Windows, word processing - NotePad, email and the Internet (in development) |
Yes |
Yes |
Basic Computer Literacy by Joan Perry - http://www.nald.ca/Nald-nb/english/innosucc
/facilit/Computer/Title.htm |
Online course materials |
Adults in a CASP program in Minto, New Brunswick |
No |
General knowledge, hardware, word processing, other software, the Internet, email, keyboarding |
Yes |
No |
| Bridging the Gap Curriculum Guide by Samariton House Training Centre (This guide will be highlighted in a future issue of CONNECT.) |
Theme-based lesson plans cross-referenced with the Government of Manitoba's academic curriculums |
Adult literacy students at Samariton House in Brandon, Manitoba |
Yes |
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Yes |
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Computer Literacy Instructors' Guide - http://gateways.unhny.org
/curriculum/ |
Online collection of lesson plans for integrating life skills and job readiness activities into a computer literacy curriculum |
Adults whose children are participating in The American Gateways settlement program |
Yes |
Windows/Mac OS, word processing - MS Word, spreadsheet, presentation, the Internet |
Yes |
Yes |
Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101 - http://www.jegsworks.com
/Lessons/index.html |
Course notes and presentations |
College Students in Tennessee |
No |
General knowledge, advanced hardware, Windows (including a French version), word processing, spreadsheets (in development), the Internet |
Yes |
Yes |
Multimedia Applications on a Shoe-String Budget - http://library.thinkquest.org
/50001/ |
Units to teach tool-based programs while also reinforcing core content skills |
Middle school students in Washington, DC |
Yes |
Word processing - MS Word, graphics, presentation, web publishing |
Yes |
Yes |
* This review was written in November 2000. Parts of this review may not apply to the current version of this website.
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