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Draft Syllabus
Basic Computer Literacy


Amended by DOSE, WAEC, Peace Corps, NGOs and Gambian computer teachers, for Gambia Senior Secondary Schools
Effective May/June 2001 for The Gambia


  1. Aim

  1. aim of the Syllabus is to:

  1. Afford candidates an opportunity to acquire a good foundation for further studies in computers.
        
  1. Test Candidates' knowledge of basic computer literacy skills, as laid out in the syllabus.

  1. Target Population

  1. Syllabus is designed for:
  2. Senior Secondary School Students
  3. Students who want to acquire a working knowledge of computers.

  1. Duration of study

For the following syllabus, one full year of one hour per week should be sufficient study to prepare the student for examination.


General Learning Objectives

At the end of the course of studies, candidates will be required to show:

  1. Ability to handle a computer

  1. Usage of computer software and hardware

  1. An appreciation of and usage of Windows

  1. An appreciation of and usage of word processing programs

  1. An understanding of the advent of computers and their role in the life of mankind

Syllabus Content

1. Computer Basics    
1.a. Introduction to Computers 1.a.1. What is a computer?
    1.a.2. Brief History of Computers (From the Abacus to Charles Babbage)
    1.a.3. What are computers used for?
1.b. Handling a Computer    
  1.b.1. Starting a Computer 1.b.1.1. Identify the various parts of a computer
    1.b.1.2. Switch on the computer and its peripherals/boot the computer (cold and warm)
  1.b.2. Concepts 1.b.2.1. Explain the terms Hardware, Software, and Operating System.
    1.b.2.2. Parts of the Windows Desktop
    1.b.2.2.a Desktop and Icons
    1.b.2.2.b Start Menu and Taskbar
    1.b.2.3. Applications
    1.b.2.4. Files and Directories
  1.b.3. Windows 1.b.3.1. Loading of Windows Operating System
    1.b.3.2. Use of the Mouse:
    1.b.3.2.a Single Click
    1.b.3.2.b Double Click
    1.b.3.2.c Click and Drag
    1.b.3.2.d Window moving, closing, resizing, minimizing, and enlarging
    1.b.3.3. Access and use software in Windows
    1.b.3.4. Using the keyboard in Windows (Shortcut keys)
    1.b.3.5. Exit Windows/Shutting Down
  1.b.4. General Care of Computers 1.b.4.1. Explain the importance of protection
    1.b.4.2. Advantages of the UPS and voltage stabilizer
    1.b.4.3. State some preventative measures in handling computers
2. Typing Skills 2.1.1. Ability to use the Mavis Beacon typing tutor or available substitute
    2.1.2. Suggested Proficiency level of 10-20 words per minute on all keys test.
3. Word Processing    
  3.1. Keying and Editing 3.1.1. Use appropriate commands to start a new document ready for text to be entered
    3.1.2. Recognise and respond to simple error message prompts
    3.1.3. Use the cursor controls to move up, down, left, and right in text
    3.1.4. Use the appropriate key to scroll text horizontally and vertically
    3.1.5. Proof read a document on the screen and edit it by inserting and deleting characters, words, and by using the appropriate commands
    3.1.6. Proof read a document on the screen and edit it by overwriting characters, words, and lines
  3.2. Formatting 3.2.1. Design the page and type of text
    3.2.2. Format Paragraphs
    3.2.3. Use automatic formatting styles
  3.3. File Management 3.3.1. Save a document
    3.3.2. Load a document
    3.3.3. Locate documents on the computer (Windows Explorer and Find utility)
  3.4. Printing Documents 3.4.1. Insert paper into the printer
    3.4.2. Produce a printed copy of a document

Sample Schedule for First term of computer classes
Below is a time table for a computer lab that has 10 computers and 40 students in each class. Due to under-staffing, one teacher will be teaching each class in two parts, with 2 students to a computer, once a week. Twenty of the students will have an elective while the other 20 take computer classes and then switch the following week.
        With two students to a computer, much of the practical will take twice as long to ensure that each student is progressing. This 10 week schedule would in fact take 20 weeks under those circumstances. But a student that learns and RETAINS 100% of the material in these ten classes will have achieved the basic computer literacy.
Suggested Schedule
Week Possible Software Practical Theory
1 Spell the Fruit Dig Dog Dig Jacks Simon Students will play Spell the Fruit for 25 mins After learning the meaning of LEDs on the monitor and computer, students will turn computers on and off. They will be able to name major parts of the computer.
2 Wintutor Win95 Tour Students run Wintutor to learn about Window manipulation and the mouse. Learn names and purpose of parts of the Windows software
3 Wintutor Maviswin Introduction to Maviswin (60mins) or repeat Wintutor for the slower students. Learn keyboard concepts: home row, shift, escape.
4 Maviswin Maviswin (30mins), practice using Start Menu. Understand the Start Menu and the Taskbar.
5 Maviswin Maviswin (45mins), students that perform well play game. None
6 Maviswin Maviswin or Test on Windows Basics and Typing Speed None
7 MsWorks, Word, Wordperfect 6x Maviswin (15mins), introduction to MsWorks. Save, Open, Exit commands using the "File" menu.
8 MsWorks Maviswin (15mins), MsWorks Assignment 1 Left, Right Center alignment
9 MsWorks Maviswin (15mins), MsWorks Assignment 2 Bold, Underline, Italic, font, size
10 MsWorks Test of Typing and Wordprocessing skills None