It is possible to do this

The second reason I have selected this teaching package is because I think that it’s very important for everyone one and that includes the older population to have a good base knowledge of the technology available today. I believe that having a good and basic understanding of software application and computer systems will allow the older population to take advantage of these features available. I think that also having access and knowledge to technology can help the elder population stay safe and live long in their homes and in their communities. For example, with so many modern technology features and devices available today, there should not be a reason that an older individual is not able to call for help or assistance in an emergency situation from home or in any setting. One amazing feature about technology is that it allows us to communicate with anyone around the world in real time.

Whether is via email, text message or a voice call an elder individual should have the capacity and knowledge to be able to use the benefits of the technology available today.

1 HERBERT F. MELENDEZ 11/16/20 COURSE PLAN PAPER The first learning theory that I’ll incorporate in this learning course plan is the Information Processing Theory. Information Processing Theory’s main idea and concept is that our brains work like a computer operating system and how new information is absorbed, processed and then stored in our brains to use at a later time. To be more specific our learning plan will mainly focus on Atkinson & Shiffrin “Multi-Store” Model of Memory (1968). i Using Atkinson & Shiffrin three storage warehouses model process we’ll be able to introduce new information to the students using sensory memory, after successfully introducing new concepts to students the goal is for new patterns to stimulate and activate the working memory and after practicing and rehearsal the new information will be stored in the long-term memory for use at anytime when needed.

The second learning theory that I’ll incorporate in the learning course plan is Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Learning theory. ii The bases of this theory are that social interactions have a great impact on the learning process and allows us to use basic social skills and language as a learning tool. The goal will be to create a small culture and community within the classroom setting where the students can learn from instructors and from peers therefore group activities will play a major role in this course plan. I believe that using a Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Learning theory and Atkinson & Shiffrin “Multi-Store” Model of Memory will allow students to engage and be proactive learners. Both of these theories have solid processes to creating new memory for storage and subsequently achieving learning goals to store new information in the long-term memory for permanent storage.

This introductory course for basic computer skills will take place a at local community college in a wealthy urban neighborhood. The school is equipped with advance digital technology such as iPads and touch monitors. As mentioned before this course is designed for an older 2 HERBERT F. MELENDEZ 11/16/20 COURSE PLAN PAPER population, ages 55 – 65 years of age with a total of fifteen students in the class. The individuals enrolled for this course come from a diverse background, (50% Caucasian, 25% African American, 15% Spanish, 10% Asian) six females and nine males and finally known SES background: 20% from low-SES families, 80% from high-SES families. This basic computer skills will be an all-interactive course and use all online and technology equipment available to students. Student will allowed to learn at their own pace, ask question to instructor and seek for assistance from other classmates when necessary. Peer engagement is strongly recommended, and group activities will be a core foundation for this course. Instructor will make themselves available to answer questions anytime during the class period. Class will begin with short lecture for the for the day and expectations and any questions.

Students will then be allowed to work on given task on their own computer and own pace.

Weekly goals and expectations will be posted. Weekly review sessions on Mondays to reinforce previous learned material. This is a 6-week course meeting Monday to Fridays from 10 am to 11 am.

Course Description : Students will be learning basic computer skills, including typing, Office software, browsing the internet, searching for information, saving information, sending and receiving emails while engaging and participating in group activities. Student will be able to demonstrate on the final week of class all learned skilled and use them to communicate with instructors, classmates and peers outside the classroom.

Course Objective & Expectations: By the end of the course, student will be able to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and information of basic computer skills learned in clall. Student is 3 HERBERT F. MELENDEZ 11/16/20 COURSE PLAN PAPER expected to attend all classes on time and be proactive in their learning process, ask clarification questions and additional help when needed.

Course Outline Sessio n Topics Goals & Expectations Learning Notes Week 1 Typing skills and keyboarding skills- Student will become familiarized with keyboard and locate letter number and systems and perform basic functions using keyboard. By the end of the week student should be familiar with keyboard and locate letter and symbols and be able to type words, and create sentences using proper punctuation and become familiar with basic computer terminology. Instructor demonstrate all the keys and functions on keyboard and will allow student ample time to get familiar and comfortable with computer keyboard Week 2 Typing skills and keyboarding skills / Office software - Microsoft Applications. Student is expected to continue build on typing skills and keyboarding skills and learn to type and edit documents on Microsoft Word. Instructor will demonstrate where to locate Microsoft Application such as Word, functions and features.

Week 3 Searching browsing for information on the website application. Student will be able to learn all web search site such as Google and Yahoo using keyword to search for information online. By the end of the week student be able to complete scavenger hunt task using all Instructor will demonstrate basic website to search application and will provide assistance with scavenger hunt task.

4 HERBERT F. MELENDEZ 11/16/20 COURSE PLAN PAPER internet search engine.

Week 4 Saving and printing documents. Student will successfully learn to save and print all assignment completed during class. Instructor will demonstrate saving and printing documents Week 5 Sending and receiving emails Student will successfully create and set up a personal email account, send and receive files. Instruction will demonstrate process to create email account and features such as sending and receiving documents.

Week 6 Review and final week to complete all assignment tasks and complete final examination. Student will be able to demonstrate all learned skills during the first five weeks and complete daily task. Instructor will answer any questions that students have and make final assessment requiring each student demonstrate a daily task from each week.

I believe that using a Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Learning theory and Atkinson & Shiffrin “Multi-Store” Model of Memory will allow students to engage and be an active participant in their learning process and will make them successful at looking at new information, process the information and will effectively retain and using the basic computer skills acquired. Students will be allowed to engage with all the peers is the classroom and this will give students the opportunity to ask questions not only to the instructor and but also to their peers, this will give the opportunity for students to work together at completing tasks. Using the sociocultural approach and using Atkinson & Shiffrin “working memory” model and its concepts will allow all the students to learn from each other within a structural format and setting using visual and 5 HERBERT F. MELENDEZ 11/16/20 COURSE PLAN PAPER auditory stimulus to activate the short-term memory and with repetitive rehearsal encode the new information in the long-term memory as techniques to achieve optimum learning potential.

Potential limitations that can be encountered that can affect and impact learning: any age-related disease and illnesses, such as blindness or difficulty hearing, degenerative physical or mental illnesses. Physical barriers such as not being able to attend daily class sessions due to not having transportation to school, prior commitments. The strengths of the course plans are multi- theoretical approach to learning that allows students to work at their own pace of learning and asking for help for every individual in the classroom, including the instructor and student.

“Cheating” is allowed and encouraged in this course, this will allow all student to learn from the instructor during lecture time and also will give the students the change to learn from each other.

As a way to continue rehearsal and encoding of basic computer skills in their memory.

6 i https://cnx.org/contents/dqtUp6xW@1/Information-Processing-Theory-for-Classroom-Teachers ii https://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html Works Cited (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://cnx.org/contents/dqtUp6xW@1/Information- Processing-Theory-for-Classroom-Teachers Mcleod, S. (1970, January 01). Information Processing. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/information-processing.html Mcleod, S. (n.d.). Lev Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html