hebrew language lab beginning computer

Hebrew language lab beginning computer use

Setting up a Hebrew Language Lab- Torah Day School of Atlanta

Hebrew language lab beginning computer use

Mrs. Javits (Morah Shoshie) and Mrs. Shmuel began working with the

students on the computers in the computer lab while we await the

delivery of the cart for the laptops. (It was supposed to arrive

during Sukkot; we waited...and waited...it turned out they lost the

order. Grrrr.) Since the children are already familiar with the lab

computers, it makes for an easier transition once the mobile lab is

complete...more on that next time

They had 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes working in the lab, although

our test group is the 4th grade class for this project. First step was

to teach the vocabulary of computer use, since all directions are

given in Ivrit, with a lot of pantomime on Morah Shoshie's part.

The vocabulary list includes words such as mouse, to click, to

research, password and so on. The students initially used Microsoft

Word (Hebrew enabled), again because of familiarity, to write letters

to their parents about what they are learning in Ivrit.

Once they were comfortable with the computer terminology, they went

online to do research b'Ivrit. Third graders searched for information

about lion families and monkey families. Fourth graders wrote to their

parents asking about the sources of their given names, e.g. for whom

they were named and why. The origin of last names was the topic for

fifth graders.

We switched this year from Dagesh to DavkaWriter as our Hebrew word

processor, but the students have not had time yet to learn to use it

as readily as they do Word. They will begin learning DavkaWriter

during their weekly computer classes. Fortunately, the two programs

are similar enough that they should pick it up quickly. We do not use

stickers on our keyboards, having heard too many sad tales of phantom

rearrangers. We have the keymaps on copy clips by each computer and

the children memorize the keyboard fairly quickly.

Posted by Davida Levin at 5:21 PM