Teaching alternative high school students computer skills through experiential learning
Abstract
Technology education works best when students are given a hands-on setting. Oftentimes alternative students learn better through this type of experiential education, rather than from lectures and books. By teaching technology skills to alternative students using experiential learning, Paul Theis, an AmeriCorps member in Tonasket, Washington, was able to engage his students in learning while providing them with valuable vocational skills. He also connected his students to community service by having them refurbish computers for the Community Computer Center, which provided computers to community members. Excerpted from the 2001 Northwest National Service Symposium.Issue
The computer industry is growing exponentially every year, providing recent graduates with job opportunities and careers in the technology field. Consequently, students need to know the basics about computer hardware and software to be competitive in the job market. Paul Theis, an AmeriCorps member with the North Okanogan AmeriCorps Teen Education and Empowerment Network, taught a computer technology class at an alternative high school in Tonasket, Washington, to give students the basic skills they'd need. He found the experiential learning style worked well for teaching computer skills, and the alternative students became engaged and excited about learning through the hands-on experiences.Action
The experiential learning method worked best for teaching computer skills because students learned the material through hands-on work. Paul Theis served more as a facilitator in the students' learning than a teacher or lecturer. The class started by creating an office/work space and cataloguing computer parts. As the students expressed more interest, they acquired more materials.
Students learned how the components of the computer fit and work together by trial and error and through peer tutoring. When problems with the computers arose, students tried to discover the cause and fix it themselves. If they got stuck, the instructor gave them hints and let them try again.
The Community Computer Center collaborated with the technology class by sending older computers to the school for students to refurbish. The students return the refurbished computers to the Community Computer Center, where they are then donated to community members who have completed technology classes taught at the center.
Context
Paul Theis was an AmeriCorps member teaching six students enrolled in his technology class at Tonasket Alternative School, a high school located in north central Washington State. The class prepared students for A+ certification, a requirement for gaining employment in the computer hardware field.Citation
Theis, Paul. "Computer Technology." Northwest National Service Symposium. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2001. http://www.nwrel.org/ecc/americorps/symposiums/2001/paul_t.htmlOutcome
The students had a very positive attitude toward the technology class. Students were always in class early, and other students not enrolled in the class requested to join. The students also expressed interest in helping teachers at the Community Computer Center to teach classes on Internet usage, e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets.Posted On
August 9, 2001For More Information