3rd - 1st Visit to the Computer Lab


Introduction and Review

This is the first time I see students since having them in Kindergarten.  I reintroduce myself and take attendance while students are seated in front of me.  We discuss what their classroom rules are that we could use in the lab.  I also discuss that I most likely will have them for the next 5 years either at St. Joe or at the Middle School.  I discuss "first impressions"  and they are making a first impression the very first time I meet them.  We then will discuss choices and what are some good and bad choices that they might make in the lab. 

 

Assign Seats

Because a lab is used by many classes, it is a benefit to all if seats are assigned.  This will help in diagnosing any problems with a computer and use of a station.  Usually students are placed alphabetically for quick identification of a station.  But, of course, some students may need special placement for individual help from other students or teachers.

 

Guidelines for Computer Lab

Discuss guidelines for your computer lab. Make it appropriate for the age level student you teach.  Some guidelines may be as follows:

 

 

Major Hardware Components of a Computer

Review the major components from last year.  Point to the major components and have students name them or have the students point to the major components of a computer as you name them - monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU and headphones.  Ask/discuss with the students the function of each piece.  This may need to be reviewed for a couple of visits.  Also, as one teaches, using the correct term will help the students become familiar with them.  Here is a poem that can be used as a fun and easy way to teach the parts of a computer.

 

THIS IS THE COMPUTER

This is the Monitor,
Our work we can see.
This is the Mouse,
It doesn't eat cheese.

This is the Keyboard,
with numbers and letters on the Keys.
These are the Headphones,
be careful please.

This is the C.P.U.,
its brains we will use today.
Put all these parts together,
get ready it is time to Play.

 

 

Logging In

When the computer is turned on, the Novell Client screen appears.   The student will type in their username where indicated.  At this time it would be beneficial to show the students where the "Backspace" key is located for correcting any typing errors.  The students do not have to worry about capitalizing the first letter.  It will happen automatically when they click on "OK" or push the "Enter" key after entering their password.

 

They then need to move the blinking cursor down to the password box.  This can be done either by left clicking the mouse in the box or by introducing and pressing the "Tab" key.  The "Tab" key always moves the cursor to the next box in a form.

 

They now are in the password box.  Introduce the "Num Lock" key.  Press the key to turn on the green light so the numbers are locked and can be used.  Students should learn to use the number key pad to enter their password.  Introduce the "Enter" key and its location by telling students that this key enters the information in the computer so it can find your materials.  Push the "Enter" key to go into the network and to the desktop.  Another option instead of the "Enter" key is to left click with the mouse on "OK".

IMPORTANT - This is the first year they all have DIFFERENT PASSWORDS.  Discuss privacy and responibility.  HAVE cardes ready for students with thier user names and passwords on these.  Collect each time class is done and hand out if necessary at the beginning of each class.

 

Desktop/Icons

Have a discussion about the top of a student's desk being called the desktop.  Explain to the students that the screen they now see is the "desktop" for the computer.  Just like their desk has lots of things inside, so does a computer have lots of things inside it.  One way the computer's desktop shows us what is inside is by the little pictures on the screen.  These are called icons.  They tell us what programs are available for us to use.  Go through some of the icons and tell about the programs.

 

Simple Assignment

The discussion takes up the most time today.  Once they are in they can go into KidPix and "PLAY" since they have used the KP program extensively in 1st and 2nd grade it is something they know how to use and enjoy.

 

Logging Out

At the end of the session, each student must logoff.  After closing all opened programs, click on the Start button in the lower left hand corner of the desktop.  A pop-up menu appears.  On the bottom of the menu you see a green key with the words "Log Off".  Click on it.  Another small window pops up asking, "Are you sure you want to log off?" Click on the "Log Off" button. 

 

Push your chair in and wait for the Novell screen to come back on the desktop.