Computer Class 1 with Rick Eutsler Jr

For our first semester of the Computer Class we will be covering the basics, as we have students ranging in age from seven years old to forty six years old.

We’re going to do 8 lessons to cover 8 to 10 weeks.  These classes will begin to cover the basics of computing for our children.  They will be broadcast live on Facebook like we did the photography class.  Here is the basic direction that we will be taking in this first round of classes:

1. Week 1: (parents need to be here for this part, subsequent classes would be voluntary)
   • Getting your equipment
     • Review and acceptance of the Homeschooling Equipment Agreement
   • Setting up your account 
   • Basic care: Dos and Donts
2. Week 2:
   • What is a computer?
   • What are the basic components of basically every computer system?
   • Using input devices, i.e. trackpad, touchscreen, etc.
   • Typing Club Program – to learn touch typing skills.  Students will need to practice with this program 2 to 3 times a week to begin to learn how to properly type without “hunting and pecking” at the keyboard.  We will be testing this skillset at the end of the course with timed typing tests which will incorporate speed and accuracy.
3. Week 3:
   • What are apps?
   • What are the included apps on your Chromebook?
     • Google Apps
       • Docs
       • Sheets
       • Slides
       • Photos
       • Keep Notes
       • etc.
     • Gmail
     • Chrome Browser
     • Typing Club
4. Week 4:
   • Working with Google Docs
     • Basic file management
     • Creating basic documents
     • Pick a topic and begin creating your own “story” based on any topic you choose
5. Week 5:
   • Adding pictures to your documents
     • Students will need to check out the cameras and take some photos to go with their story
   • Working with importing and manipulating images for their documents
     • We will be installing Polar on the Chromebooks, which is a free photo editor.  (There’s a paid component which we may explore at a later time.)
6. Week 6:
   • Working with gmail (Chrome browser version)
   • Adding contacts
     • Each student will add all the other students and their parents to their contacts
   • Establish clear guidelines about email and on-line communications
     • Students are NOT to send emails without express prior permission from their parents.  PERIOD!
     • No communications with persons not expressly permitted by the individual student’s parent
   • Send sample email to each other and their parents
7. Weeks 7 / 8:
   • Building on what we’ve learned so far… each student will do the following:
     • Come up with an idea for a story.
     • Start a new document in a new folder in Google drive, share that folder within our homeschool group via email (the instructor account) and their parent.
     • Write a story of 300 words with at least 3 photos taken with the class cameras, downloaded to their Chromebook, edited and saved, and posted into their story.
     • Email the final copy to their instructor and their parent.

There will be a final exam week at the end of Week 8 which will include the following:

1. Their story and how well they accomplished the above
2. Typing test

Students will be graded based on their age level and abilities.   

Students are encouraged to use their equipment as often as they are permitted to work on their typing skills and other class concepts.  All use must be approved by the parent before the equipment is checked out.

As a note, this is the Chromebook we will be using for our class.  Any new Chromebook with Google Play Store support will work.  I’ve seen this model on sale for as low as $220.  I picked these up at Best Buy on sale for $260.

Pricing changes and deals abound.  As a general rule of thumb, you get what you pay for.  I opted for a higher class of gear with the anticipation that the children will want to continue their studies and these will allow them a solid couple of years of growth.  As an alternative, one of my suppliers has the Samsung Chromebook 3 refurbished, which would be a good basic starting point and a usable unit, for around $150.

Computer Class 1  – Lesson 1

Computer Class 1  – Lesson 2

Computer Class 1  – Lesson 3

Computer Class 1  – Lesson 4

Computer Class 1  – Lesson 5

By Rick Eutsler, Jr