Do you need a computer science course? It’s easy! You can do almost anything for a computer science course. Colleges want to know that your children are computer literate: Microsoft Word, internet skills, email, keyboarding etc. In some states, a graduation requirement is “Technology” and you have to have a “technology credit” for high school. It’s a VERY broad requirement, and almost anything goes.
If your child is already computer literate, then you could give them credit based on the skills they possess. You may want to write a course description listing your child’s skills. Ask the child to help. A more “computer savvy” teen will have more programs they can use. One idea is to go to the “programs” file of your computer and ask them all the things they are familiar with. Can you use excel? Power Point? Some kids are online constantly, so ask them if they can YouTube, or program a website, or if they blog. Those are great skills to learn.
If your child is NOT computer literate, then you can create a class. I would focus on basic “Microsoft Office” skills, basic typing with Mavis Beacon, and basic internet skills. Remember that the goal is computer literacy, and independence at college.
Have you checked out our redesigned website. I am so excited! Please let us know what you think of it.
Related posts
- Is Distance Learning Leading you Astray?
- How Do I Teach Computer Technology?
- Computer Graphics and Video Editing Class
- Giving High School Credit Where Credit is Due
- CLEP Study Helps - Part 2
- When is a Credit More than a Credit?
- How Can 4 Day per Week Homeschool Work?
- Free Bible Curriculum!
- Homeschoolers and Fine Arts
- Pennsylvania Homeschoolers
Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
J W says:
I’ve heard that schools aren’t teaching typing (OK, keyboarding) anymore. Is that true?
My children did not start out with primitive computers (“The Little Professor” digital math game, programmable calculators, TI-99, etc.). They did not work their way through increasingly more sophisticated hardware and software technology as I did. They have not known anything different than Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office programs, and the Internet. Yet they have easily taken to it – the equivalent of swimming right away after having been thrown into a lake. I think it’s due to a willingness on their part to try things just to see what happens. That and, as homeschooled students, they have the time to think and explore. Unfortunately, it’s taken the skills of a full blown computer programmer (my husband) to stay one step ahead of my younger daughter’s experiments so she doesn’t cause any real damage!!!
July 14th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Lee says:
Joelle,
You and I live in a particularly rotten school district, and if they don’t require typing that wouldn’t surprise me. But in other states, technology credits are REQUIRED, in the same way that Washington required occupational education. One way or the other, though, it’s up to the parents to make sure their children are well educated, and it this environment that means computer-literate. In order to be efficient on the computer, it helps to be a good keyboardist, rather than hunt-and-peck. I hope that helps. You and I aren’t “required” to teach typing, and our schools may not teach it, but that doesn’t mean when can’t decide it’s a great course to teach our kids.
Blessings,
Lee
July 14th, 2009 at 6:38 am
J W says:
Actually, I did require keyboarding at a very young age for my oldest because she used to have a ton of problems with handwriting. Typing and MS Word liberated her – she finally had a way of recording all her fantastic stories and dreams.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Ben Wagner says:
Hello Mrs. Binz,
I am fifteen years old and have started my own business with the help of my parents. I decided to comment on this post because it was most applicable to the starting of an online business. (I think I could have commented on a lot of your other posts, too.)
I have always had an interest in owning my own business, and my parents helped me to achieve that goal through my homeschooling. They purchased the Homeschool Entrepreneur Course for me to learn basic business skills. I used this course along with other sources to develop my online business.
I greatly enjoyed the experience of developing a website with the help of my parents, especially my father. He learned HTML along side of me in order to design a website using my ideas for my online business. My mom also helped me learn marketing to advertise my website.
I hope this encourages parents to help their high school sons develop their interests using some of their high school courses like computer or economics.
My business sells e-Books of public domain authors of the 1800′s. My website is http://www.olde-books.com. I am also a vendor at the Heart of the Matter Conference this year. I would greatly appreciate it if you would visit my website. I am always open to suggestions. Please use my contact page on my website to leave your recommendations or suggestions for books that would interest the homeschooling community.
In Christ,
Ben Wagner
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 am
Lee says:
Ben,
Your site looks great!
Best wishes with your business!
Blessings,
Lee
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 am
Ben Wagner says:
Thank you, Mrs. Binz. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
My Mom looks forward to hearing you at the conference in August.
In Christ,
Ben W.
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 am