The CTAP Level 1 Technology Proficiency Academy is open to public-school certificated K-12 classroom teachers, certificated non-classroom teachers and school administrators. If you are not sure if your position qualifies you to participate, please email Nancy Moore at moore_nancy@lacoe.edu or call 562-401-5584.
Level 1 is for teachers who need to learn the basics of the computer, or have had limited exposure to the basic computer programs, such as those found in Microsoft Office, Internet, E-mail, and Information Literacy.
The academy is a set of easy-paced, no pressure classes, over four days, where the participants learn programs that they could use with their students, or help them be more productive in their classroom.
Day 1 deals with basic computer terms regarding hardware and software and the basic operations of the computer, such as saving and organizing files. We also do hands-on activities such as making a name tent and writing a letter, where participants get to learn about the toolbars and menu functions. We then end the day working with Inspiration, which is a popular mind-mapping program.
Day 2 deals with word processing and publishing, where the participant applies the skills learned from Day 1 to make flyers and newsletters. This is a great day because the teachers tend to apply what they learn in this class to something they could use immediately to communicate with their students' parents. Participants also learn about E-mail basics and the Web site iSafe, which deals with Internet safety for students.
Day 3 Deals with Information Literacy and Internet Skills. Participants discuss ways to evaluate information on the Web, and learn how to search the Web more efficiently. Participants that day also make a photo montage using either Movie Maker or iMovie, which is a nice and quick way to show pictures of their students' activities throughout the year, and are shown how to turn that montage into a Podcast.
Day 4 is the day participants learn about databases and spreadsheets, using Microsoft Excel. We start the day with a fun hands-on activity to learn to use Excel to write formulas and make charts, and we finish the day learning how to use the mail merge feature to write form letters. We also learn presentation software, particularly PowerPoint. We start with the basics and make a complete slideshow, and if someone already has experience and wants to expand, we have advanced directions for them as well.
Keep in mind that the Level 1 Proficiency Academy is a class where you don't need any prerequisites- we've had teachers take the class with little computer skills- and that's who the class is designed for. But this class would also benefit those some experience in the mentioned programs who want to refresh their skills or perhaps learn a new program.
We hope you find that the Level 1 Technology Proficiency Academy is right for you.
