Lesson-Note-Second-Term-BST-Computer-Studies-Week-1-Primary-1 in one sentence

This Lesson-Note-Second-Term-BST-Computer-Studies-Week-1-Primary-1 is a leading guide for teachers on how to teach week one topic in Computer Studies for Primary One during the second term of the academic session.

General Introduction to Lesson-Note-Second-Term-Bst-Computer-Studies-Week-1-Primary-1

I prepared this Lesson-Note-Second-Term-BST-Computer-Studies-Week-1-Primary-1 based on standard Computer Studies Scheme of work for Junior Secondary School 1 – 3 by various state ministries of education.

The state ministries of education on the other hand prepared these schemes according to the new 9-year basic education curriculum. The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is the official developer of the Nigerian National curriculum frameworks. The revised 9-Year BEC reviewed the number of subjects in Nigerian schools from twenty (20) to a maximum of ten (10) for JSS 1 – 3. The developers did this by adopting a conceptual framework that identified and grouped related subjects under one composite subject. Under this structure, Computer Studies (or Information Technology) is under Basic Science and Technology. The other subjects under Basic Science and Technology are Basic Technology, Physical and Health Education and Basic Science.

Accordingly, teachers may this deliver lesson in the first week of second term of the academic year.

Who may find this useful?

These lesson note guides will be useful to all teachers  especially those in Nigeria, parents who want to help their children keep up, school owners and school administrators who want their teachers to do things right.

Note however that this guide does not favour a particular lesson plan format. Instead, it is a general suggestion that can be adapted to any format of choice. The focus of the note is to provide enriched lesson content and then suggest ways of delivering such content.

Lesson-Note-Second-Term-BST-Computer-Studies-Week-1-Primary-1

Teacher: PiusJoe Ankpa

School: LeadinGuides Post

Date: Look up the day that the timetable for the committee fixed the subject and the particular date that the teacher intends to teach the subject.  E.g.: Monday & Wednesday, November 11 & 13, 2019.

 Period: Look up your timetable for the periods the subject occupies on the date of delivery. E.g. 6^th & 3^rd, 12:15 to 01:30 pm and 09:00 to 09:45 am respectively

Duration: Based on the timetable, what is the cumulative duration of the subject for the week in which the teacher will deliver the lesson? E.g. 90 minutes, 45 minutes each

Age: What is the average or range of ages of the children in the class? The students in Junior Secondary School One are typically within the ages ranging between 5-7 years.

Class: Primary 1

Class Composition: How many pupils are in the class? Typical population of students in a class arm for private schools is usually a maximum of 25 – 30 pupils with mixed abilities and moderately quiet.

Subject: Computer Studies (Information Technology)

Topic: Using the computer to play games and for typing text

NOTE: This topic span week 2 – 3. Hence, in this week, I treat using computer to play games.

Reference Materials

Ankpa, P. (2015). Tutors Manual, Smart Kids Guides to Computing. LeadinGuides Educational Technology.

Educational Resource Centre, FCT Abuja. (2014). Primary School Scheme of Work. Abuja: Educational Resource Centre, FCT Abuja.

Eugenio, S. (2017, February 9). 8 Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games for Kids. Retrieved from Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/09/8-cognitive-benefits-of-playing-video-games-for-kids/

Gibson, E. (2017, May 11). Children and video games: a parent’s guide. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/11/children-video-games-parents-guide-screentime-violence

Kano Educational Resources Department. (2016). New Primary School Curriculum, Computer Studies Scheme of Work. Kano: Kano Educational Resources (KERD).

Lagos State Government Ministry of Education. (2016). Unified Schemes of Work. Lagos: Lagos State Government Ministry of Education.

Nisbet, J. (2019, October 1). 27 Best Educational Games for Kids [Sorted by Subject]. Retrieved from Prodigy Game: https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/educational-games-for-kids/

O’Leary, T. J., & O’Leary, L. I. (2006). Computing Essentials. McGraw Hill.

Science Daily. (n.d.). Computer and video games. Retrieved from Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/computer_and_video_games.htm

Shelly, G. B., & Vermaat, M. E. (2012). Discovering Computers, FUNDAMENTALS; Your Interactive Guide to the Digital World. Boston: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.

Sicart, M. (n.d.). The Ethics of Computer Games. MIT Press. Retrieved from MIT Press: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/ethics-computer-games

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Video game addiction. Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction

Entry Behavior

This depends on the location of your school. For a school where the pupils have had only enough contact with computer, the pupils should be excited about using computer. In other places where the pupils might not have had enough contact with computer, the pupils might be nervous about using computer. And for schools in the urban areas where using computer is a regular routine, the pupils will neither be too excited nor paranoid. Notwithstanding, the pupils should generally be interested by the idea of using computer.

Aims and Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should have attained the following objectives:

• Cognitive
  • Define Computer Game
  • State the purpose of playing computer game
  • Mention at least 5 computer game
  • Describe how to play selected game(s)
• Psychomotor
  • Use the computer to play selected
• Affective
  • Defend the essence of playing computer games

Previous Knowledge

From first term the pupils defined computer, identified different kinds of computer and computing devices, identified the parts of computer. These shall serve as entry requirements. Pupils that did not do these lessons may not

Instructional materials

• White board and temporary marker or chalk and blackboard (chalkboard),
• Computer Systems – one or more of desktops, laptops and/or tablet/any smart devices

Method of Teaching

Induction, demonstration and deduction

Teacher’s Activities

The teacher shall identify pupils with control issues and provide adequate guidance. S/he shall also choose suitable game for available device/platform and provide clear instructions. The teacher shall also play selected game in demonstration to the pupils; monitor, guide, group/pair and assess the pupils.

Learners’ Activities

The pupils shall actively participate in the class by asking and answering questions. They shall ask and answer questions. And they shall play and/or compete in the games, complete assigned challenges and carryout written assignments.

Presentation

The teacher presents the lesson in order of the following steps:

1.      Introduction (warm up)

To introduce the topic, the teacher asks the pupils to mention what they do/like to do during their leisure time (hobby). The teacher takes note of pupils that may mention playing with computer. Afterwards the teacher reveals that there is an interesting thing that some people do with their computer which greatly entertains them. S/he discloses that that activity is known as computer game.

Subsequently the teacher writes/displays the topic and explains the lesson objectives to the pupils.

2.      Meaning of Computer Game

In continuation of the lesson engages the pupils in a short probe in an attempt to define computer games.  After that, the teacher thoroughly explains the meaning of Computer Game:

“Computer Game is a computer activity where people interact with objects displayed on a screen for entertainment or to learn.”

The teacher picks the keywords/phrase in the definition and explains.

Computer Activity means something/work that people do with a computer. “Interact” means that people communicate or react to the screen objects. This means the screen objects says or expects the player to do a specific thing – i.e. carryout a particular action – at a given moment. And when the players do the action exactly, s/he scores a point and is often given another task. The teacher explains further that sometimes the screen objects give limited time to perform the action. And if the player fails to complete the action within the time, s/he has to restart again. The teacher reveals that most computer games have smooth sweet background music and sound (effect) to give a pleasurable feeling.

Objects

The teacher explains that the object on the screen is one, combination or all of text, image and animation (moving image).

For entertainment or to learn

The teacher explains that this shows the purpose of computer game – the reason people play computer games. People play computer game to entertain themselves – make themselves happy – or to learn some skills or both.

3.      Importance of Playing Computer Games

After discussing the meaning of computer game, the teacher leads the pupils to discuss the benefits of playing computer game. Thereafter, s/he encourages them to play it as regular as possible especially for the benefits s/he shall outline and discuss.

Hence, to initiate the discussion; the teacher asks the pupils whether it is right or wrong to play computer game – and why? After the ensuing discussion the teacher lists and explains the importance of playing computer game. I mentioned some below.

1. Computer Games help the players to learn how to control the working of body parts (eyes, ears and hands) to accomplish a particular task. This is known as coordination.

      ii.            It helps players to be able to solve problems

Computer games involve certain rules. This means that the player has to think carefully before making any move to ensure that they stay within the required rules of that particular game. The player needs to make split- second decisions that will determine whether or not he or she will advance to the next level.

   iii.            Computer Games help players to remember things

Playing computer game may require both visual and audial memory. The player is required to read or listen to the instructions which might only be provided at the beginning of the game, thus the need to remember them throughout the entire game. Mastery of the keys on your keyboard helps you easily move your characters in the game. This helps improve your memory, whether short- term or long-term.

    iv.            Computer Games help player to concentrate

Computer games especially action games, have proven to be able to capture the player’s attention for the entire period of the game. This is brought about by the player’s need to achieve certain objectives within the game, and be able to progress to the next level.

4.      Ethics of Computer Games for Kids

Before proceeding with the lesson, the teacher advises the pupils briefly on ethics of computer game. This is especially for schools in the urban region where the pupils are likely to get too attached to computer games/gadgets.

The teacher explains that although computer game has many good benefits, they must take care not to play computer game in a way that reduces their ability to do other things. S/he teaches that playing computer game in this way is called game disorder. Therefore, the teacher demands volunteer pupil(s) to describe such manner of gaming that may constitute game disorder – i.e. to mention any game behaviors they think might be bad.

Succeeding the discussion, the teacher outlines the following computer game rules and explains to the pupils:

1. Do not pick a new game all by yourself – always let an adult see and approve the game before you play.
2. Read all game instructions/warning – and ask an adult for clarification in you did not total understand anything.

• Have time limit for playing computer game. The time should not be more than 4 hours each day

1. Computer Game is a leisure activity with educational benefits; at home, you should complete your house chores before playing.
2. Do not loss your manners to Computer Game –
   • You must pause the game when talking with an elder
   • No game at the table/mealtime
   • You must pause the game when you have a visitor or when someone enters the room and attend to them first.
   • No game when alone in commercial vehicles and crowded areas
   • You must not refuse errands for games. You can always pause the game and continue when you return

5.      Examples and Selection of Computer Games

Subsequent to the brief lesson on ethics of computer games above, the teacher leads the pupils to identify some age-appropriate educational games. After that the teacher selects appropriate games for available computing device/platform – such as android, Mac or Windows devices.

To begin with, the teacher asks the pupils to name any game they know or have played in the past. I present some list of educational computer games below. It is not unlikely that one or two of the pupils will mention popular games like Temple Run, Zuma, Fruit Ninja, Candy Crush, Solitaire, Minecraft, FarmVille, Tetris, FIFA and other similar games. The pupils may also mention games like Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Mortal Kombat and other violent games.

After the pupils name the games, the teacher initiates discussion by demanding what one could learn from each. Generally, these games increase the players’ creativity in addition to the other benefits of computer games that we mentioned earlier. Although research has not been able to find any link between playing violent games and real-life aggression or a child’s academic performance; commonsense demands that adults put some restriction on such games for children of early years. Hence, the teacher encourages the pupils to play more of the former sets than violent games. Similarly, the teacher tells the pupils that the aforementioned games are of general benefits – but this class aims to teach them a particular school subject. Therefore, the teacher tells the pupils that they shall pick and play games in which they will learn a particular subject.

Thus, the teacher lists suitable subject-based games for the devices/platforms that are available for the pupils in the class. S/he thereafter asks the pupils – preferably individually – their subjects of interest for which they will like to play the game. After the pupils make their choices, the teacher teaches the pupils how to play the games – s/he provides clear instructions and demonstrates for the pupils to see.

I recommend

The following list of games:

1. English (Vocabulary) – Scrabble
2. Mathematics – Maths Ninja
3. Science – Minecraft

NOTE: These games are available for android, Windows and Mac. For other educational programmes that are appropriate for your platform, I suggest you visit your device app store.

6.      Playing the Game

After identifying at least five educational games, the teacher (preferably with the pupils) selects a game which they shall play. Thereafter, s/he demonstrates and describes how to play the game they selected. This basically includes the control and how to score points. Then assuming there is a large wall screen, the teacher invites volunteer pupil to play the game for other pupils to observe. Two or three more pupils may do same then the teacher directs each pupil to power up their device, launch the game and give it a try. While the pupils are playing the game, the teacher moves round to assist any pupil that may have difficulty.

Once the pupils are able to play the game comfortably, the teacher may pair them and assist them to set up multiplayer mode. The teacher repeats the same exercises for another game the remaining two weeks.

Different Situation

This is however different for schools in the rural area or in schools were the pupils have not had much contact with computers. The teacher has to first of all practice controls with the pupils. This may involve using another game that teaches controls. For mouse control, I suggest Zuma game – available for Windows, Android and Mac. Chicken Invader is another good game for mouse control. For screen control, I recommend Asphalt 8 – available for Android, Windows and Mac.

After the pupils have demonstrated some level of confidence at the system, the teacher can proceed to the game as I have described above.

Evaluation

The teacher assess the pupils’ attainment of the cognitive objectives by setting questions based on the games they played; psychomotor objectives by observing and rating the pupils during the game; and affective objectives through the pupils’ presentations.

Summary

Prior to the teacher giving the pupils the final assignment and terminating the lesson, s/he revises the entire lesson. S/he also summarizes the lesson into a short note which s/he gives to the pupils to copy into their computer notebooks. I present this below.

Assignment

Before concluding the lesson, the teacher gives the pupils exercises based on the lesson.

Conclusion

To conclude the lesson, the teacher marks and returns the notebooks to the pupils. S/he provides necessary feedbacks and links the week’s topic to the next. S/he says that they have in the week’s lesson learned how to study with computer by playing educational games; and in the following weeks, they shall learn another way of using computer to study by watching educational films.

[qsm quiz=3]