Computer Application

Digital Literacy Program Overview – Hughes Academy

At Hughes Academy, the Digital Literacy course is designed to help students build a strong foundation in computer science and responsible technology use. The program emphasizes creating an inclusive computing culture where all students feel empowered to explore and succeed.

Key Learning Areas:

Students in Digital Literacy will develop essential skills in the following areas:

• Digital Literacy Skills: Understanding how to use technology effectively, responsibly, and ethically.

• Computing Systems: Exploring how computers and devices function and how they can be used to solve real-world problems.

• Networks & the Internet: Learning about internet safety, digital communication, and how information travels online.

• Data Analysis: Collecting, organizing, and interpreting data to make informed decisions.

• Algorithms & Programming: Creating step-by-step instructions and writing code to solve problems or complete tasks.

• Impact of Computing: Examining how technology influences society, culture, and everyday life.

By the end of the course, students will not only have technical knowledge but also an awareness of the role technology plays in the world around them. Digital Literacy prepares students to be thoughtful digital citizens and innovative problem-solvers.

Lesson Plans

Weeks 1-9: Keyboarding Skills

Week 1: Orientation and Home Row Keys

• Learning Target: Understand course expectations and practice home row typing.

• Activities:

  • Review course syllabus and expectations.

  • Pre-test: Baseline typing speed and accuracy.

  • Introduction to home row keys and touch typing basics.

• Homework: Practice 10 minutes of typing daily using typing software (e.g., Typing.com).

• Assessment: Baseline typing test results.

Week 2: Reinforcing Home Row and Introducing Upper Row Keys

• Learning Target: Develop accuracy and familiarity with upper row keys.

• Activities:

  • Daily typing drills using home and upper row keys.

  • Typing games focusing on speed and accuracy.

• Homework: Practice typing drills emphasizing upper row keys.

• Assessment: Weekly typing progress check.

Week 3: Lower Row Keys and Common Words

• Learning Target: Expand typing skills to include lower row keys and commonly used words.

• Activities:

  • Daily typing drills with home, upper, and lower rows.

  • Typing sentences focusing on accuracy with common words.

• Homework: Online typing drills focusing on full keyboard use.

• Assessment: Typing test with all rows included.

Week 4: Punctuation Keys and Numbers

• Learning Target: Master punctuation marks and number keys.

• Activities:

  • Typing drills emphasizing punctuation and numbers.

  • Create practice sentences with punctuation-heavy phrases.

• Homework: Daily practice with punctuation and number keys.

• Assessment: Weekly typing test focusing on punctuation and numbers.

Week 5: Increasing Speed and Accuracy

• Learning Target: Improve overall speed and fluency in typing.

• Activities:

  • Timed typing exercises with full keyboard.

  • Typing speed races to motivate improvement.

• Homework: Practice typing passages to improve WPM.

• Assessment: Weekly typing test and progress tracking.

Week 6: Typing Passages and Real-World Content

• Learning Target: Practice typing with real-world content for fluency and accuracy.

• Activities:

  • Typing passages from articles, short stories, or provided text.

  • Practice typing business letters or emails.

• Homework: Practice typing longer passages at home.

• Assessment: Submit a timed typed passage.

Week 7: Timed Typing Drills and Problem Keys

• Learning Target: Identify and improve on challenging keys or patterns.

• Activities:

  • Timed typing drills with error analysis.

  • Individual practice on problem keys using typing software.

• Homework: Focused practice on identified problem areas.

• Assessment: Typing speed and accuracy improvement check.

Week 8: Applying Keyboarding in Real Tasks

• Learning Target: Apply typing skills in completing real-world tasks like reports or emails.

• Activities:

  • Type a mock report or letter with formatting.

  • Peer review for accuracy and formatting feedback.

• Homework: Refine the mock report or letter.

• Assessment: Submit a final version of the task.

Week 9: Typing Skills Summative Assessment

• Learning Target: Demonstrate typing proficiency in speed, accuracy, and fluency.

• Activities:

  • Comprehensive typing test: timed speed and accuracy.

  • Review of individual progress from Week 1.

• Assessment: Summative typing test results.

Weeks 10-18: Computer Applications and Digital Literacy

Week 10: Introduction to Computer Hardware – Internal and External Parts

• Learning Target: Identify internal and external components of a computer.

• Activities:

  • Lecture: Overview of computer parts (CPU, RAM, storage, peripherals).

  • Hands-on activity: Label and match parts on diagrams or physical models.

• Homework: Research and write about one computer component.

• Assessment: Quiz on computer hardware basics.

Week 11: Google Docs

• Learning Target: Use Google Docs to create and format professional documents.

• Activities:

  • Explore basic tools: formatting text, using headers/footers, inserting images.

  • Create a document with text, images, and proper formatting.

• Homework: Format a provided document at home.

• Assessment: Submit and review the formatted document.

Week 12: Google Slides

• Learning Target: Create engaging presentations using Google Slides.

• Activities:

  • Introduction to Slides: Themes, transitions, and multimedia integration.

  • Design a 5-slide presentation on a given topic.

• Homework: Refine and enhance the presentation at home.

• Assessment: Present completed slides to peers.

Week 13: Google Forms

• Learning Target: Use Google Forms to design surveys and collect data.

• Activities:

  • Create a survey using Forms, focusing on question types and settings.

  • Share forms and analyze peer responses.

• Homework: Design a survey on a school-related topic.

• Assessment: Submit a completed and shared survey.

Week 14: Google Sheets

• Learning Target: Analyze and visualize data using Google Sheets.

• Activities:

  • Input data and use basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE).

  • Create charts (bar, pie) based on provided datasets.

• Homework: Practice entering and analyzing personal data at home.

• Assessment: Submit a sheet with formulas and a chart.

Week 15: Digital Citizenship

• Learning Target: Understand ethical and responsible online behavior.

• Activities:

  • Discuss cyberbullying, digital footprints, and online privacy.

  • Group activity: Create a digital citizenship pledge or infographic.

• Homework: Research an online safety issue and write a short reflection.

• Assessment: Submit a digital citizenship project.

Week 16: Hour of Code

• Learning Target: Explore basic coding concepts through hands-on activities.

• Activities:

  • Participate in an Hour of Code activity (e.g., Code.org tutorials).

  • Reflect on coding experience and applications.

• Homework: Practice a simple coding challenge online.

• Assessment: Completion of Hour of Code tasks.

Week 17: Integration of Skills

• Learning Target: Combine learned Google Apps and computer knowledge into a single project.

• Activities:

  • Work on a collaborative group project: Create a report (Docs), presentation (Slides), and survey (Forms) on a chosen topic.

  • Peer review and feedback sessions.

• Assessment: Submit completed integrated project.

Week 18: Final Project and Review

• Learning Target: Demonstrate mastery of keyboarding, Google Apps, and digital citizenship.

• Activities:

  • Finalize and present group projects.

  • Review key skills and concepts from the semester.

Assessment: Group project and individual reflection rubric.