Purpose:

To teach students mouse skills, like point, click and drag, so that they can then use computers for other learning activities

Preparation time: 

15-20 minutes. 

Check the Web site a day or two ahead of time to make sure that it works on the computers you want to use with your learners. Bookmark the site so that learners won’t have to type in the address. Two sites are good for mouse practice. Test each one out and determine which one you want to use with your students. You might have them use the practice sites several times, and do each site on alternate days.

Mouse Exercises

http://www.seniornet.org/howto/mouseexercises/mousepractice.html

Mouserobics

http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html

Materials: 

·         Computers for student use with a good Internet connection. Preferably one per student or have them work in pairs and switch places after each student finishes the practice exercises. 

·         One disconnected mouse so you can demo how to hold it and click.

Preparation: Have your computers open and ready at the Web site so students can begin right away. 

Procedure:

1.      Have students stand behind you and watch you use the websites.  Perform several initial steps (not the whole task) of the practice activity while giving very simple directions. For example, click on 1, then 2, then 3.

2.      Go back to the beginning of the activity and ask them how to do it. They should instruct you. 

3.      Go back to the beginning of the activity again and have a student do the activity while students instruct her or him. 

4.      When it is clear that everyone understands this task, have students go to their own computers and begin. 

5.      Walk around and troubleshoot.  Keep your demo (disconnected) mouse handy.

6.      When students click too hard, tap gently on the back of their hand to show them the light pressure necessary for clicking.

7.      If you show students how to point and click on a number, remember to then click on Back, so that students perform the same task you have modeled.

Variations:

1.      Use a projector (LCD player) connected to your computer to show students the task on a screen. Have students watch the screen (dead mouse mode, i.e. they don’t touch their computers) as you perform the task.  Then have them guide you through the activity again, and then do this on their own computers.