Computer- Based Lesson Plans: Computer Technology - Demonstrate Use of Mouse Functions by Diane Whitley

Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom

Title: Computer Technology - Demonstrate Use of Mouse Functions

Learner Level:     Appropriate for all levels, however for beginners with no computer skills

Pre-Instruction:

Instructor should be familiar with the different mouse functions and the proper way to hold and position the fingers on the mouse. Bookmark www.jigzone.com and or other websites for “click and drag” exercise such as Mouseaerobics at http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html

Duration:  15 minutes not including interactive websites 

Materials: Computer and Mouse

Objectives:

The learner will correctly move the mouse pointer, click on the left mouse button, double-click on the left mouse button, and click and drag an icon.

Procedure:

• Review components of the computer.  If the computers have not been “powered up”, have the learners turn the systems on and login.

• Ask learners if they have used a mouse before and what difficulties they had using it.

• Tell the learners that the mouse allows them to provide input to the computer by pointing to or clicking different areas on the screen.

• Show learners the correct way to position their fingers on the mouse.  The thumb should rest in the indented left side of the mouse, the index finger should rest lightly on the left mouse button, the middle finger should rest lightly on the right mouse button, and the ring finger and little finger should be on the right side (not top) of the mouse.

• Learners should learn to click lightly and to hold the mouse still when clicking.

Move the mouse pointer:

• Each learner needs to be comfortable with his/her hand on the mouse. 

• Show the learners the correct way to position the hand on the mouse as explained above. 

• Demonstrate on a computer (with all learners watching) how to move the mouse pointer on the desktop.  (Pointing means to position the mouse pointer on an object without clicking a button.)  Move the mouse pointer over the different icons on the desktop (My Computer, Microsoft Word, Recycle Bin, and Internet Explorer).  You can give as much explanation about each icon as seems appropriate at the time. 

• Explain that if the pointer does not appear on the screen, the learner should pick up the mouse and move it around before putting it back on the mouse pad.          

Practice:

• Have learners practice moving the mouse pointer on the desktop. 

Clicking the mouse:

• Ask the learners why the mouse is used.  (The mouse allows a person to get more information or make something appear on the screen.)

• Explain that clicking means pressing and releasing the left mouse button one time. 

• Demonstrate on the blank space of the desktop (with all learners watching), how to “click” by gently pressing the left button on the mouse and then releasing.  Explain that nothing happens when they do this because they are not clicking on an icon, menu, or any button that will provide information.

• Click on an icon to show the learners that the action highlights the icon.  Click back on the blank space on the desktop to show that the icon is no longer highlighted.

Practice:

• On the blank space of the desktop, have learners take their index fingers and click. 

• Have the learners click on an icon and then click on the blank space of the desktop to “un-highlight” the icon. 

 Double-clicking the mouse:

• Teach the cadence (one...two [not too fast, not too slow]) that they will need to use when double-clicking the mouse.  Illustrate this in front of the class clicking and counting using a mouse not connected a computer or an imaginary mouse. 

Practice:

• Have learners place the pointer on an icon on the desktop and double-click. 

Click and drag:

• Click on an icon and show the learners that by holding the index finger on the left button of the mouse that they can drag (move) the icon to another location on the desktop.  Explain that they can continue to move the icon until they release the mouse button.

• Demonstrate moving several icons around the screen and then move them back to their original position.

Practice:

• On the desktop, have learners click on several icons and move them to different locations on the screen. 

• As an optional exercise, have the learners practice clicking and dragging by going out to www.jigzone.com and manipulate puzzle pieces and the Mouseaerobics site at http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html. 

Evaluation: 

Have each learner (individually) click and double -click the mouse on the blank desktop.  Observe each learner click and drag an icon on the desk and then return the icon to its original position.