As the students return for the 2000-2001 school year at St. Maurice, they will find a newly installed computer lab. The transfer to IBM - Windows Based software will, by its similarities and differences to the MAC system, require several sessions dedicated to the unique characteristics of the installed software programs and these machines. Students will have their own computer and the only items they will share are the printers. Each computer will have Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Power Point and access to research vehicles such as the Internet and encyclopedias.
After the necessary instructions on the use of the system and its methods of saving information, some time must also be spent on keyboarding. Their fingers are now of the size that the reach and expanse can be more defined. A commercial software program will be used. The one selected is Mavis Teaches Typing. We all know that the only way to become a good keyboarder is to practice and home practicing is encouraged.
During the course of the study year in the sixth grade, the emphasis is placed on the structures and uses of data bases. We are all well aware that this function of computer programming is one of the most widely used in our lives. It also requires a systematic order of thinking that will enable the user (our students) to develop organizational methods of sorting that will, hopefully, transfer over to the skills needed to search "the web" with proficiency.
About the time of Halloween, our work on data bases will begin. The students will be instructed on the components of such a system, the manner in which fields are chosen and why some of their choices may prove to be wrong. (It is very difficult for some students to try to define what is common in many things and sort out this information into useful search patterns.)
The students are then asked to construct a basic database of their own. The first one will consist of ten records and five fields. Many of them like to choose databases that have already been done and duplicate them i.e. sports cards, their class make-up, and even internet bases that they have downloaded. Although this last selection is a good one, and very useful, it is preferred that they think of one that they can construct.
They will then be shown that not all of the information that is collected for a database needs to be presented all the time. A review of the formats of presentation will then be attempted. Only certain fields, usually in a tabular form, will be necessary to be printed to complete this project.
The second semester will bring a more advanced database for them to accomplish. Depending upon the individual success of their first assignment, the students will be given a topic to research. They will be encouraged to use all available reference materials found in libraries and in computer accessed programs (encyclopedia and the internet) to complete their databases. It is at this point that instruction for searching the internet will be emphasized and practiced.
If you have any questions at any time please call: Betty Killmeyer 351-5403.
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