Mustard Seed Training

Thanks for joining me at VAILL Conference today, either in person or online!

I look forward to discussing the state of adult education in the wake of new educational assessments like the 2014 GED® Test. One of the biggest changes with the new high school equivalency tests (GED®, TASC, and HiSet) is that adult education students must take the test on the computer at an authorized testing center.

Note: “Computer-based testing” does NOT mean “online”!!! For example, corrections facilities are able to administer the test offline and upload the results later.

1. Computer-based Testing Tutorial

Administering the test on the computer means more than just projecting the paper test on a screen. Students and instructors can learn the technology skills required by taking the GED® TEST ON COMPUTER TUTORIAL. When you click on the picture, a new browser window will open to launch the tutorial.

Even if you have seen this tutorial before, think about the basic technology skills required, and how you can teach or support students to master these skills. Feel free to complete the tutorial on your own computer, then return to farrellink.com/blog.

2. Mouse Skills

The most basic technology skill to master is using a mouse. Next we’ll try hand warm-ups with Mouserobics. If you finish early, feel free to try some of the recommended games at the end of the tutorial. Don’t forget to return to farrellink.com/blog when you’re done!

Try Mouserobics again, and this time make a LIST of all the mouse skills that are taught in this tutorial. Check off which of these skills you would like to teach your students.

3. Typing Speed Lesson

After mastering mouse skills, you can challenge your students to improve their typing speed and keyboarding skills.

What have been your experiences teaching typing? Compare it to this sample lesson. Make a list of the top three keyboarding skills that are your highest priority to teach your students based on their skill levels and educational goals.

4. Scaffolding Strategies

Next we’re going to take a break from explicit technology skills to think about our instructional approach to teaching basic technology. How do you scaffold your lessons? Read this Edutopia article on 6 scaffolding strategies and take notes on which of the strategies you apply or would like to try in your classroom.

5. Resource WebQuest

Ready to find the best resources for your context? Explore the web for examples that will work for you. Use your preferred serch engine, or get started with this list:

• GCFLearnFree.org
• DigitalLiteracy.gov
• The Beehive Digital Basics
• Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum
• Rhode Island Digital Literacy Curriculum
• Northstar Digital Literacy Project

Post a comment below or email meagen@farrellink.com to share the resource(s) you found for your classroom, and explain how you plan to use it in the classroom.