The Importance of Context.
If an application is taught in isolation it could lack relevance. Students may not be able to see the value or the point of becoming proficient in a particular software application. If you provide a focus for a class: such as make up a company, make a product, make up a pop group... then a whole number of practical activities naturally arise from the context. These activities usually involve a number of applications, such as word processing, graphics, spreadsheets etc. and specific skills can be built up while the students are becoming familiar with the actual software. Their interest and enthusiasm remains high because they are actually producing something and not just wading through a piece of software.
Here are some of the contexts that I use.
Brochure: Desktop publishing
CD cover: Graphic Design Activity
Design your dream home: House Project.
Business context: Your company
An advertising program: Design a product.
Newsletter: Class news
You may like to check the content or skills that are taught through this context approach..
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Created with Microsoft Frontpage. Marione Pennick copyright 14/11/99