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Teaching Alternative High School Students Computer Skills through Experiential Learning

A Good Idea

Description

Technology education works best when students are allowed to work hands on with computers to diagnose and solve problems. Often times alternative students learn better through this type of experiential education, rather than lectures and book learning. By teaching technology skills to alternative students using experiential learning, an AmeriCorps member in Tonasket, Washington, was able to engage his students in learning while providing them with valuable vocational skills. Students also participated in community service by refurbishing computers for the Community Computer Center, which provided computers to community members.

Goal / Mission

The goal was to engage students in learning how to use and fix computers so they would be competitve in the job market following school.

Results / Accomplishments

The students had a very positive attitude toward the technology class. Students were always in class early, and other students not enrolled in the class requested to join. The students also expressed interest in helping teachers at the Community Computer Center to teach classes on Internet usage, e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Tonasket Alternative High School
Primary Contact
Scott Olsen and Carol Lanigan, Coordinators
Tonasket Alternative / Outreach School
35 HS Highway 20 East
Tonasket, WA 98855
(509) 486-1428
Topics
Education / Student Performance K-12
Education / School Environment
Organization(s)
Tonasket Alternative High School
Source
Corporation for National and Communitiy Service
Date of publication
8/9/2001
Location
Tonasket, WA
Target Audience
Teens
Santa Cruz