Report from the Field

Managing Computers in a Multi-level class

Program Description
Class Description:
Provider: Kirkland Lake Board of Education

Multi-level class of 10-12 learners
Continuous Intake
Full time & part time learners.

Program Delivery:
Individualized learning plans are developed
on an ongoing basis according to learner
goals, needs and interests.

Computer Hardware:
5 PC Computers (Standalone - not networked)
1 Pentium with internet access
I PC Computer dedicated to SARAW

Computer Software:

  • Auto Skills Math
  • Typing Programs
  • Reading Programs (children's software, but which learners do not find offensive)
  • SARAW (Speech Assisted Reading and Writing program for people with physical disabilities
  • Microsoft Works
  • Word Perfect 6 for Dos
  • Word Perfect 7 for Windows

CLASSROOM LAYOUT
Classroom Layout

 What access do learners have to computers?

Learners have access to the computers on a daily basis, and they control the amount of time they wish to spend using a particular program. Generally the decision to use a computer program is based on:

Learner Goals

A learner may identify a desire to learn to use a computer, or to learn how to type during their initial interview with the instructor.

Instructor Recommendation or Suggestion The instructor may recommend the use of a particular program to a learner for a specific purpose.

Some learners state at the outset that they have no intention of using the computers. It is most typically older learners, whose reasons include, "I'm too old," or I'm never going to need it." After a few months, or in one particular case 2 years, these learners will suddenly express an interest in using a particular program. Their comfort level and interest usually increases after seeing other learners use the equipment.

How do you provide computer instruction?

Once a learner has decided to use a particular program, the instructor spends an initial period of time teaching that learner how to use the program. Ongoing impromptu lessons would occur as the learner requires it.

Troubleshooting is also a responsibility of the instructor, for example, a learner may turn on an optional feature such as "show all characters" which floods the screen with formatting codes. The instructor would then have to figure out what the learner had activated and turn it off.

Ongoing Monitoring of learner progress is another responsibility. Although the Autoskills Math Program is pretty good, the instructor does

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