Computer Skills Curriculum

Word Processing Utilization

Title: Production Time

Other Curriculum Objectives that can be addressed by this lesson plan
English Language Arts: 1.1, 2.1, 2.3; Computer Skills: (Gr. 7) 2.1; Information Skills 1.4, 1.5

Grade: 7

Competency 2.1: Identify terms related to computer-generated productions (e.g., desktop publishing, WYSIWYG, clip art, hypertext, multimedia, laserdisc, CD-ROM, VCR, scanners, camcorders).

Measure 2.1.1: Given a chart of various computer-generated production terms, label the terms as text, video, audio, or graphics.

Materials Needed: Collection of various desktop published materials including magazines, student reports, school and local newspapers; pictures of camcorders, laserdiscs, CD-ROM, scanners, etc. (or the actual device); teacher-made videotape created using a computer and a camcorder (for example, using VCR Companion and a camcorder to capture student reports).

Time: Three, 45 minute sessions in class; field trip times will vary.

Terms:
desktop publishing, clip art, hypertext, multimedia, laserdisc, CD-ROM, VCR, scanners, camcorders, HyperCard/LinkWay/HyperStudio, QuickTime, VCR Companion, Slide Shop

Glossary of Word Processing Terms
Grade 7 Glossary

Activities

Pre-Activities:

    Teacher Preparation:

  1. Collect pictures and/or the equipment to be used for these lessons. Plan classroom visit(s) and/or field trip(s) with the appropriate persons.

    With the Students:

  1. Divide students into cooperative groups of three to four students for the activities.
  2. Discuss and show examples of different types of printed media and the types of equipment that may have been used to create each example.
  3. Conduct a tour of a desktop publishing center in a school or central office or a visit to a local newspaper. Give students the opportunity to ask questions and see as much production as possible.
  4. Take a field trip to a classroom where camcorders and computers are being used to develop a tape or show videotape of a video that was produced using a computer and a camcorder. If equipment is available, demonstrate use in class.

Activity:

  1. Provide a classroom or media center experience where students have the opportunity to observe and review different types of print media, computer productions, and videotapes, arranged in centers.
  2. Give students the opportunity to visit each center. Have students identify the types of media that they think was used to create the materials.
  3. Discuss student observations about the different types of media at each of the centers.
  4. Students should define terms: desktop publishing, clip art, hypertext, multimedia, laserdisc, CD-ROM, VCR, scanners, camcorders (see worksheet).

Follow-up Activity/Extensions:

  1. Have students use at least one of these types of production media (i.e., laserdisc, VCR, CD-ROM) for a class presentation.
  2. Plan a school-wide media fair providing an opportunity for students to share different types of media that they have created.

Measure

Pass out the worksheet. Have students read the directions. Have students complete the worksheet which requires students to define the computer-generated terms then label each term as text, audio, video, or graphics. The teacher should reteach as necessary for those items which are still confusing to students and provide additional practice activities.