Lesson Title

Tackling Basic Computer and Word-processing Skills for the GED and Career Development - Remix

Abstract

This is a competency-based performance lesson in using basic computer and word-processing skills for GED preparation or Adult Education at Level B. Learners are expected to gain valuable skills in either GED online testing to navigate the screen interface or continued development of workplace skills to enhance job prospects or performance.

 Through engaging in tasks involving opening word-processing applications and using features in the home tab to manipulate text, use of a mouse and scroll bar, and keyboard features, the learner will gain valuable skills. The learner will observe demonstrations by the instructor, practice skills with the support of videos, and finally be assessed based upon a performance checklist evaluation.

Learner Audience / Primary Users

Adult Learners who are preparing to take the GED online Test and have low or no computer skills in using keyboard functions and word-processing.  Adults returning to traditional classroom instruction or who are in the workplace needing to further develop skills.

Educational Use

Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment

College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) Alignment

• Level: Adult Education / GED

• Grade Level: Grade Level B

• Subject: English Language Arts / Literacy

• Standard Description:  

• Writing

• CCR Anchor 6 

• Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) and to interact and collaborate with others.
  

Language

English

Material Type

• Instructional Material,

• Lesson Plan,

• Videos,

• Instructor/Learner Manual: Essentials for Word-processing: MS Word 2007,

• Learner Resources, 

• Instructor Performance Checklist .

Learning Goals

The purpose of this lesson is for learners to be able to:

• develop the necessary computer skills in preparation for the GED online Test,

• develop gap skills for employability or continued job performance.

• 
  

Keywords

• Designers for Learning

• Adult Education

• GED Computer Skills

• Computer Skills/Applications

• Word-processing

• MS Word 

• Competency-Based Learning

• Digital Literacy

Time Required for Lesson

60 minutes Face-to-Face/Untimed Blended Learning

Prior Knowledge

Learner’s must have a basic knowledge of computers (desktop, tablet) and word-processing application terminology. 

Required Resources

• Access to a desktop or laptop with word-processing software installed (i.e. WPS https://www.wps.com/office-free ) preferably with MS Word 2007 or 2010,

• Access to the internet in case learner can only use Google document word-processing application (https://www.google.com/docs/about/),

• USB flash Drive, and in case of pre-registration provide an email to send activity documents,

• Where there are a group of learners, computer lab access would be more beneficial.
  

Lesson Author & License

• Lesson Author: Donald J. Jones

• License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Part 2: Lesson

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:

• open a new word-processing document and existing document,

• use a mouse and scroll bar within a document,

• use 3 basic functions of the Home Tab (copy & paste, cut & paste, undo/redo edits),

• identify and use  5 basic Keyboard features(shift, delete, and , enter, backspace and space bar),

• demonstrate using the functions in writing and manipulating a short written text

Lesson Topics

Key topics covered in this lesson include:

• creating text within a word-processing application,

• navigation of a document using ribbon tools,

• manipulation of the keyboard for typing within a document.

Context Summary

For GED learners, they must understand and use basic computer word-processing applications and will simulate creating and typing text within a document. In developing these skills they will be more confident in their ability to do well on their GED.

Adult learners will assume the role of an office typing clerk who must apply the necessary skills to create documents in a timely manner. Using informational resources to assist such as guides, learners will be comfortable in their ability to use computers and word-processing applications.

Relevance to Practice

In today's high tech, GED testing is moving away from the traditional paper-based testing and learners must have computer skills in order to successfully pass. Additionally, employers are most likely to hire potential employees who have adequate computer skills in word-processing and other applications.    

Key Terms and Concepts

• Word-processing: writing, editing, and production of documents

• Word-processing applications:  software used to manipulate a text document (i.e. MS Word, Google Docs, WordPerfect, and WordPad)

• Competency-Based Learning:  systems of instruction, assessment, and grading based on learners demonstrating what they have learned

• Competency- Based Assessment: actual skills and knowledge that a learner can demonstrate in the workplace or other contexts

Instructional Activities and Strategies

Warm Up

Time: 5 minutes

 Instructor elicits from learners what they already know about using computers and word-processing applications (i.e. MS Word, Word-Perfect) and how important is it to know for GED testing and the job market. Provide KWL handout, briefly explain the purpose and have learner’s complete two entries.

Introduction

Time: 5-7 minutes

Instructor shows video timed at 3:10 minutes (Computer Skills Need for the GED 2014 at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewMjYaSh3A). This will setup why the computer and word-processing are important to know and the benefits in skill development. If time available show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAV8y01t2V0  , starting at 20:51 – 23:06 (testimony of a working mother).  

Using the PowerPoint slides 3-4, provide the format and the performance outcomes of the lesson:

1.  Learners will observe and model the steps in opening a word-processing application and existing

      documents and use features within the document using a mouse and keyboard.

 2.  Learners will follow a checklist to practice tasks.

 3.  Learners will be observed and assessed in demonstrating the skills utilizing a performance checklist.

Presentation / Demonstration / Modeling

Time: 15-20 minutes

The instructor models the following skill tasks through demonstration and have learners follow the steps:

Demo 1:  Show the mouse using PowerPoint slide 5 right and left buttons and scroll wheel; use the mouse (right click) to open a word-processing application (preferably MS Word). See pg. 10 of reference manual. Refer learners also to PowerPoint slide 6 (wireless mouse). If time permits show the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3s_OYgtl8g “How to use the mouse.” or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalSs_Go6x4  “The difference between right and left click.”

Demo 2:  Show how to open an existing document using document below and show video. See pg. 10 of reference manual. 

Demo 3:   Go over the location of home tab functions (copy / paste; cut / paste; undo / redo) in manipulating text.  Demonstrate using previous document. A video is available.  Let learners know they can also highlight text (double-right click on mouse or highlighting by dragging over the text).

Note: Instructor may need to download the document to a USB flash drive prior to lesson and provide for learners in class.

Demo 4:  Show the 5 basic keyboard functions – PowerPoint slide 7 (shift, delete, enter, backspace, and space bar). Refer to reference manual pgs. 13 -14.  Open the existing downloadable document GED Computer Skills from Demo 2 and also ensure that learners have access to it. Navigate and manipulate the paragraph using keyboard functions.   

Guided Practice

Time: 15 minutes

Ensure learners have the Guided Practice Learner Task with instructions on their computers and briefly go over the tasks that they must complete.  Monitor and provide feedback. Learners will refer to Learner Instructions, Demo4 document. There are  copies of Demo4for the ‘Instructor Only’ in identifying what is to be monitored. 

Use the Demonstration Log to record competence.

Assessment

Time: 5 minutes

Learners will take the written test in form of 10 multiple choice and gap fill questions.    

Application

Time: Untimed - Blended Learning

Option 1:  For the GED Adult learners, direct and have them complete outside of class, the interactive writing online. This would provide them using the skills taught in this lesson as well as developing skills in writing an essay for GED preparation.  Refer students to the following link at http://www.essaypunch.com/.  Recommended to use IE browser and with the latest Adobe Flash. 

Option 2: For ABE learners, have them follow the link at http://auspost.com.au/education/letterwriting/media/interactives/lw-letter-writing.html and complete as an assignment.  This focuses on writing personal and business letters. It is recommended that they use IE browser and have Flash.

Part 3: Supplementary Resources & References

Supplementary Resources

References

TR Ledger, Adult Literacy and Employment Preparation Program(n.d.). Essential Skills for Word Processing: Microsoft 2007. Retrieved from  http://en.copian.ca/library/learning/trl/word_processing/word_processing.pdf.

Attribution Statements

 "Basic Word Processing Skills" by CT Distance Learning Consortium is licensed under CC BY 3.0 

 This work "Tackling Basic Computer and Word-processing Skills for the GED and Employability" by Donald J. Jones is licensed under CC BY 4.0