My unit is appropriate for use with remedial students who need extra practice with their basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. The computer programs will offer independent work which is challenging but rewarding.
The programs are motivational to facilitate learning because of the new experiences they will offer the student. The students will realize through working with the programs that it is not as difficult as it appears. After a short period of time the initial anxiety should diminish and confidence will be built.
For a student introduction I would explain that a computer is a machine that can do mathematical calculations for them. Also, I would discuss how the different programs they will be working with can help them learn. A few program terms they should become familiar with are “READ”, “PRINT”, “LET”, “DATA”, “GO TO”, and “END”. It would be a good idea to show the students pictures of the computer equipment before they were scheduled to visit the computer room. It is important to discuss why the students should be extremely careful with the equipment previous to the initial visit.
One of the ideas I incorporated into the unit was to make programs where the students can type their own addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts into the terminal to receive or give an answer. Using these types of programs the students can work on individual problem facts. I want each student who will be using the computers to have his own record keeping chart to show the improvement in performance. When a student gives a correct response to a program the program will give encouragement by giving a positive response such as “VERY GOOD”. By individualizing the programs I hope to allow the students to progress at a comfortable rate.
At the conclusion of the unit I want the students to feel comfortable with the programs. I want to see competency with the basic facts. Hopefully some of the students will have a desire to pursue computers further and develop programs of their own. I also would like the students to understand some of the BASIC computer language.
