Basic #Computer Introduction for #Teachers

It’s important for #educators to start with #computer basics in order to best understand technology. And the first step is to develop a familiarity with the machine that they are primarily working on.

The computer you’re using right now is likely either a Mac or a PC. How do you know the difference between a #Mac and a #PC and why does it matter? The most basic difference is that a Mac is any computer made by Apple and a PC is any computer NOT made by Apple. Some examples of a PC are Dell, Gateway, and HP. By the way, “PC” is an acronym that initially stood for “Personal Computer.” This was the term years ago to denote a “newer and smaller” machine that could actually fit on a person’s desk.

The machine you’re using is also either a desktop or a laptop. The main difference between a desktop and a laptop is that a laptop is much smaller and can be moved from place to place very easily, while a desktop is made to stay in one place. Are you using a #laptop, a #desktop or both (maybe one at home and the other at school)?

How to Teach Computing: An Introduction to Concepts, Tools and Resources for Secondary Teachers

We will be exploring the ideas, concepts, processes and skills that are important in computing and then introduce you to the tools, resources and lesson activities that can help you teach these concepts and processes in the classroom. ... It is relevant to secondary teachers from all subjects and all levels of experience.

Technology is everywhere, if we like it or not. And nearly all future jobs require us to understand it. To respond to this, governments are including computing in national curricula, as a subject taught at all ages but also as part of other subjects. This means the responsibility is on to us, the teachers, because we need to teach it.