How can you begin developing a basic computer skills class for your adult learners?

What are your learners' educational goals and what is the curricular focus of your program?  Are your students trying to find jobs?  If so, you can base your word processing activities and Internet activities around job descriptions, resumes, and interview skills.  Are you working with English language learners?  If so, you can use a range of activities to promote vocabulary development, typing skills, reading and pronunciation.  Tailor your computer skills class to meet your learners' needs.

Remember to check the MLC tech training calendar to see if there are any related workshops coming up that could help you get started.

What materials are already available that can help you get started?

When you are planning a basic computer skills class, it is a smart idea to survey your leraners to gauge what they know, don't know, and want to learn.  Click here to view a sample needs assessment form.

To find teaching and learning materials, consider beginning with this "hotlist" of websites with basic skills exercises from Waubonsee College.

GCF Learn Free (www.gcflearnfree.org) offers free online tutorials and instructor-supported classes on a variety of computer topics, including computer basics and Microsoft Office products at:  http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/.

Kansas Adult Education Technology Competencies and Curriculum:   ABE competencies, and lessons for basic word processing, Internet, email and PowerPoint.

SPCLC Basic Computer Skills Curriculum: and click on computer_training.zip. This is downloadable curriculum, with Word, Excel and Powerpoint activities for beginning, intermediate and advanced level ESL learners. Activities start from very basic (turning on the computer) to higher-level office software activities.

Alison.com offers free online courses in topics such as:  Microsoft Office products, using Gmail, touch typing, and protecting yourself from identify theft.

Internet 101 is a free tutorial explaining what the Internet is, how it works, and the basics of what you can do on the Internet (free email, search, etc.).  It does include some ads and requires a relatively high reading level.  Probably most appropriate for American-born adult learners.

CASAS computer skills competencies: use this list as a starting point to develop your own list of competencies for your ABE program.

The BBC Computer Tutor leads learners through the basics of using the mouse, keyboard, and computer screen.

Minneapolis ABE has developed an online touch typing curriculum that is free for all users.

Free touch typing lessons can also be found at:  www.nimblefingers.com, www.learn2type.com and www.sense-lang.org/typing (the last two also include 10-key practice exercises).

Mousarobics: this is an online activity that helps your learners practice basic mouse skills

Mouse skills: very basic click, drop and drag

Forms practice: online practice filling out very easy to complex forms. teaching guidelines pdf

Computers in Action: lesson plans and activities for using computers with students.

eFolio: an online portfolio creation website available to MN residents.

Claire Siskin Bradin's Word Processing Activities : this is a range of fun word processing activities for ESL learners.

Susan Gaer's Computer Class Activities: this is an excellent class website which can be used as a resource to use for online reading/writing activities or to get ideas for lessons to use with your learners.