Summary
The world as it is today is more computerized than ever, and most people rely on technology in performing their daily duties. The skills of using computers and their utilities have become necessary in order to communicate in an efficient manner. The writing, reading and comprehension abilities have greatly improved over time, and it has also become necessary to develop on computer and typing skills. This website includes exercises/games that help the user to improve the knowledge of usage of the mouse, the keyboard and the computer in general. Although learning to write by hand is an essential necessity, there are significant advantages that come with knowing how to use a computer to do so. There no need to get frustrated about your handwriting, syntax errors and spelling and grammar. Editing becomes so much easier when you are using a keyboard. Learning to use a computer boosts your self-esteem and confidence too. As such students, right from 1st grade, need to familiarize themselves with the computer. Teachers also need to have a proper guide and assessment that is in line with the current technology in order to help their students be relevant in the job market. This website assists students of all ages to acquire and practice the basic computer skills and functions.
a). Preschool/Kindergarten Mouse Skills
The website has a user-friendly interface especially for the kids. Thus, it’s easy for the child to maneuver around the various functionalities. The mouse enables you to issue commands to the computer. By moving the mouse, the cursor symbol on the screen of the computer can move to anywhere within the screen. Clicking the mouse buttons allows you to make decisions and tell your computer to initiate functions like typing. The features highlighted under this include: How to drag and drop, single click and double click; How to select all, copy and paste; and How to move the cursor around using the mouse.
Drag and Drop Color Game
This color game enables the student to sort the orange, blue, red, green and yellow objects by dragging the elements into their respective boxes (Chapgar, n.d)
Preschool/Kindergarten Keyboard Skills
Learning the proper position for keyboarding is the first important step. It helps students avoid bad habits in the future of using the wrong hand while keying in the letters. Also, the children are taught on mastery and accuracy of the keyboard keys.
Key Seeker
It’s an interactive learning tool to help children (kindergarten aged) recognize the letters on the keyboard and learn how to use the correct hand to strike the keys. It offers a child the additional avenue to communicate and experience technology while mastering the alphabet.
b) 1st / 2nd Grade Mouse Skills
Mouse Exercise
This exercise focuses on placing a mouse, clicking the mouse, drag and dropping and drawing with the mouse. You can drag items like; pictures, files, etc. from one place to another or resize windows or boxes (Laurie, n.d).
1st / 2nd Grade Keyboard Skills
Good keyboarding habits should be developed right from the start. This will avoid inefficient habits later on. This module enables the student to know the locations of all the letters on the keyboard, know which finger to use to key in a letter and key each letter correctly and with speed.
Balloon typing
This game has letters popping up and every time you hit the correct letter on the keyboard the balloon containing the letter bursts, otherwise if you press a letter that’s not in any of the balloons a funny sound emerges. This game tests on accuracy and speed. (soft schools, 2015)
Why This Website Is Different
This website is very different from other informative/resource sites. Every topic is well outlined and is accompanied by animations that describe it; this makes it easier for the reader to understand with ease and improve on mastery. It’s fun learning how to use the mouse and keyboard via this website. I enjoyed doing this research using this website and had a good time playing the games, learning to type and using the mouse. I highly recommend that teachers should encourage their students to use this website for learning some of the computer skills outlined in it.
References
District, V. U. (n.d.). Computer Skills, Games and Online Safety. Retrieved from LiveBinders: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1226499#anchor
