Overview
Students use a Web resource to increase their sense of confidence and competence by learning how to accomplish a practical or fun task. Then they teach a similar skill to someone else.
Objective
To understand the importance of sequencing in following and giving directions.
Materials
Paper and pencils for each student.
Procedures
Tell students they are going to use the Internet to learn and teach a skill of their choice. Discuss ways that students have learned some practical skills, such as riding a bike or searching the Web.
Find an website that offers tutorials on everyday activities such as repotting a houseplant or making pizza dough. Discuss the organization and sequencing of the information. Elicit student opinion about the ease or difficulty of following the directions.
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Work with students or have them browse independently through some of the online tutorials. Point out the arrangement or format of the instructions. If possible, select with students one or more tutorials to try out in class.
In the classroom, ask students to write the following topics on their piece of paper:
- Skills to be learned:
- Approximate time:
- Tips:
- Keywords:
- Steps:
Discuss useful or interesting things students would like to teach to someone else. Then have them write their own tutorials. Remind them of the importance of clarity and proper sequencing.
After students have completed their tutorials, have them exchange papers with a partner. The partner will read the tutorial and decide if the instructions are clear to him or her. Students will then use feedback from their partners to revise the instructions.
