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This week my LINC class did a "Write an email to your teacher" assessment task. Who knew it could be so hard?
The good news is that everyone was able to log in and open their college email without asking for help. This is great progress since the beginning of the term, so I was pleased about that.
Not only that, but a few students composed their email and sent it without consulting me. As I had instructed, they handed in their cover sheet, asked me to check that I had received their email, and walked out the door about ten minutes early.
Another few used the entire class time, but they were able to complete the task without asking for help.
And then there were those whom I hold responsible for a few new grey hairs!
"Teacher! How do you spell 'now'?"
"Teacher! I don't know how to fix the small 'i'!"
"Teacher! How can I make a space?"
"Teacher! How do I make a question mark?"
As I dashed from computer to computer answering these and other questions, I made a note to self -- for our next computer lab, I will create a handout about the keyboard and mouse and spend some time with students who want to learn or review the basics. I will also ask the students who are more knowledgeable if they are willing to regularly help those who need a hand.
I also plan to compile a list of "Must Know How to Spell" words. As I have always told my students -- English spelling is hard. Even native speakers have problems. BUT --if you have a daughter, learn how to spell daughter. Same goes for husband. However, as an excellent speller who is also the mother of a son who once wrote "It was not biggy nuff", I am sympathetic to those who struggle in this area.
But I digress...
In the end everyone was out of the lab by 4:00 (the official end time for the class is 3:50, so that wasn't bad), I received all the emails, and I think all the students started their weekend with a feeling of accomplishment.
Sadly, I now have to assign grades, when in my opinion, each email is, to quote the Mastercard commercial, priceless.
** I need to add that we did plenty of scaffolding to prepare the students for this task. During the previous weeks, they have sent me 2-3 emails each. I'm not sure if they asked each other for help with those, or if nervousness was responsible for the problems they had on the assessment.
"Teacher! How can I make a space?"
"Teacher! How do I make a question mark?"
As I dashed from computer to computer answering these and other questions, I made a note to self -- for our next computer lab, I will create a handout about the keyboard and mouse and spend some time with students who want to learn or review the basics. I will also ask the students who are more knowledgeable if they are willing to regularly help those who need a hand.
I also plan to compile a list of "Must Know How to Spell" words. As I have always told my students -- English spelling is hard. Even native speakers have problems. BUT --if you have a daughter, learn how to spell daughter. Same goes for husband. However, as an excellent speller who is also the mother of a son who once wrote "It was not biggy nuff", I am sympathetic to those who struggle in this area.
But I digress...
In the end everyone was out of the lab by 4:00 (the official end time for the class is 3:50, so that wasn't bad), I received all the emails, and I think all the students started their weekend with a feeling of accomplishment.
Sadly, I now have to assign grades, when in my opinion, each email is, to quote the Mastercard commercial, priceless.
** I need to add that we did plenty of scaffolding to prepare the students for this task. During the previous weeks, they have sent me 2-3 emails each. I'm not sure if they asked each other for help with those, or if nervousness was responsible for the problems they had on the assessment.
Interesting observations! Yes, a handout or even a big poster in the computer area (if you are allowed) about where characters/keys are would help. All of your students handing in an assignment--that is truly cause for completing the dance of joy!
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