Course Contents

Unit 1 Introduction to Computer  Introduction to computer  Examples of computer o personal computers (desk-top, laptops, pocket PCs/hand-held computers)  main-frame computer systems  Brief history of computers with timeline  Knowledge about and interfacing with:  Input devices (Examples: mouse, keyboard, scanner, joystick, webcam, digital camera, bar-code reader, digital voice recorder, etc.) o Knowing the mouse and keyboard  Interfacing with the computer using mouse and keyboard o Practicing to input data using a mouse (leftclick, right-click, move, drag, trackball, double-click), etc.  Output devices (Examples: printer, speaker, projector, etc.)  Storage devices (hard disk, USB-flash disk, CDs/DVDs, memory card, etc.)  Understanding of Central Processing Unit (CPU)  How do computers work?  Operating/System software introduction  Application software- usage & types (word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia, etc.) Unit 2 Learning Computer Basics and Internet  Hands-on activities on: o User window (Minimizing, maximizing and closing a window, menu, status and other bars, etc.)  Working with the Operating System • Start/Shut down (menu, purpose, etc.) • User window (Minimizing, maximizing and closing a window, menu, status and other bars, etc.) • Basic concepts of Desktop, Icons, shortcuts, etc.  Working with the Operating System (Continued) o Control Panel o Using Help o Selecting a Printer, Changing a Default • Printer, Checking the Status of a Printer  Concept of files and folders (types of files and extension)  File and folder properties o Renaming a folder, etc. (Practicing to input data using a keyboard)  Types of storage devices  Practically knowing and accessing storage devices/drives  Data transfer between different storage devices (Example: to/from USB-flash disk to hard disk, etc.)  Introduction to Internet and the World Wide Web (www)  Internet browsing applications (Examples: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, etc.)  Web addresses and links  Interfacing with the Internet browser window (browser menu-bar, buttons, scrolling, clicking on links, etc.)  Search engines  Using specialized web-sites (see reference weblinks)  Searching for information (search tips, etc.) Brief introduction to:  Local Area Network (LAN); sharing on a LAN; Wide Area Network (WAN); Wireless Networks  Sharing on networks; network-related security issues  Firewalls  Security (Identity and virus protection): o Protection against virus and spam emails o What is Hacking, and protecting against it  Software installation (Example: Installing an electronic Dictionary)  Utilities: o What is file compression and why it is needed o File compression applications (Winzip, other programs) o Learning to compress files and folders using Windows default options (Zip, rar) Unit 3 Using Productivity Applications (Word Processing) (Microsoft Word, OpenOffice.org Writer) • General introduction to application window  Creating, saving & opening documents • Formatting, editing Pages, text & paragraphs • Adding pictures to pages (Clipart & from file) • Working with tables, charts & graphs • Working with Diagrams (Using “draw” feature) • Print preferences, printer properties and printing a document • Using preset and advance features • Using word processing to create classroom instruction documents (diagrams, lesson plan, worksheets, flash cards, brochures, newsletters) and motivation tool (certificate) Unit 4: Using Productivity Applications (Spreadsheet) (Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice.org Calc)  General introduction to spreadsheets interface  Creating, saving & opening spreadsheet  Using worksheets (renaming and adding worksheets)  Adding and working with information (formatting cells, adding comments, inserting hyperlinks)  Changing the look of information with spreadsheet (cell alignment, changing font face and size, adding background color to cells and rows, inserting picture)  Doing Mathematics (formulas: addition, subtraction, average, logic formula etc)  Making charts (formatting i.e. background, legend, color of bars, creating pictograph)  Including print properties  Using spread sheets to create class room management documents (seating chart, electronic attendance register, result sheet, student academic performance graph, bio data) Unit 5: Using Productivity Application (Multimedia) Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice.org Impress  General introduction to multimedia application  Creating, saving & opening presentation  Viewing and working with slides  Building presentations (adding, moving/sorting and duplicating a slide)  Making slides look good (applying templates, changing color schemes, slide layout, background)  Adding pictures and artistic effects (inserting compressing pictures , applying borders to pictures and other objects, adding 3-D effects,  Adding sounds, movies and links  Adding animations and special effects (applying slide transition, adding & customizing animations, adding action buttons, turning off animations)  Setting up and playing presentation (printing presentations, setting time)  Using multimedia to create presentation (school profile, lesson presentation, action plans, assignment presentation, etc) Unit 6: Making Connections  Searching multimedia resources  Uploading, downloading documents and other files (pictures, audio, etc.)  Saving information from Web pages Interfacing with online multimedia resources (Example: videos on www.youtube.com about learning computer)  Creating and using e-mail to communicate and collaborate o E-mail management (creating, sorting, forwarding, searching, flagging, deleting) o Attaching document (files & folders)  Using Web 2.0, Using chat/talk applications (Skype, GoogleTalk, etc.)  Introduction to online collaboration  Working with an online collaboration application (Application: Google docs)  Creating, importing and editing a file – document, spreadsheet & presentation)  Sharing and accessing online files Unit-7: Using multimedia devices and resources  Introduction and examples of digital devices (camera, mobile phone, digital voice recorders, etc.)  Using a digital camera and other technologies i.e. mobile phones to down-load images, and videos  Transferring images and videos to computer from mobile devices (mobile phone, camera)  Using multimedia applications (Examples: Real Player, Windows Media Player, Quick Time Player etc. ) to play educational audio & video clips Unit 8: Use of computer in daily life  Uses of computer • at workplace, • in community, • for communication, o • education & research, literacy • entertainment  Code of ethics  Computer crime  Copyrights Law and fair-use guidelines and plagiarism  Computer as a teacher  Use of computer-assisted instruction  Online education (Example: Virtual University of Pakistan)

Course Synopsis

This course will prepare teachers to understand, use and apply technologies (computer, digital camera, mobile phones) in an effective, efficient and ethical ways. Advanced technologies are more pervasive today than they have ever been, and their uses are expanding continually. ICT is significantly enhancing and altering human activity, and enabling us to live, work and think in ways that most of us never thought possible. Prospective teachers will actively explore the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes for applying technology in educational settings. They will also learn to develop skills like collaboration, higher-order thinking, problem solving, and self-direction through effective use of technology tools and resources thus, enabling them to be a lifelong learner in 21st century.

Course Learning Outcomes

Trainee-teachers develop confidence and an aptitude for using computers and will be able to: 1. use computer technology as a tool for communication & collaboration, problem solving 2. create productivity materials related to teaching profession (lesson plans, result sheets etc) 3. use computers technology for personal & professional growth, for research and generating new knowledge 4. explore new technologies/knowledge for career growth as lifelong learners