Succeed In School: Lesson Plan prepared by Fred Baker

Subject: Self-Improvement

Grade Level: Adult Learners

Goal: To improve learning abilities and confidence levels of anyone who

wishes to learn improve ways of communicating with others, both verbally written, and increasing reading skills and comprehension levels. Objective: To improve the above mentioned attributes through the use of the

"Succeed in School" software program in an academic setting using

computers. The assumption is made that the students have a basic

familiarity with computers.

 Materials: Computer system: IBM PC or compatible with a 486/33 MHz processor or higher, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher or Windows 95, 8 MB RAM,

640 X 480 color monitor with minimum of 256 colors, double speed CD-

ROM drive, 8-bit sound card (Sound Blaster compatible) and speakers,

Windows compatible mouse.

Internet Web Sites for Self-Improvement, dictionaries and thesauruses: Self-Improvement: http://www.lightyourfire.com/ http://www.hypnotapes.com/
http://www.jb-ublications.com/improve.html

http://www.motivator.com/selfimprove.html

Dictionaries: http://www.onelook.com/

http://www.m-w.com/netdict.htm Thesauri: http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/rbeard/diction.html Procedure: The entire program will take five days of self-paced work using a combination of self-study and a computer program for completion of the course. Each day’s worth of lessons should not exceed more than two hours actively using a computer. Time required for practicing the skills learned without using a computer outside of the class should take no more than three hours each day. There will be a daily assignment for online line research each day, normally expected to last for one and a quarter hours the first four days. Day One: ** Prior to bringing students into the classroom, ensure that all computer setups are functional and have the proper software loaded for the lessons.**
  1. Have students pick a desk with a computer setup that they feel they will be comfortable with for several days.
  2. After all students have selected a desk and computer setup, direct students’ attention to the screen at the front of the room. This is were the demonstration of how to use their equipment will be displayed.
  3. Start the computer program and Proxima projector. Dim lights.
  4. Take the students through the entire startup procedure. Once this is completed, have all of the students turn on the power switch to their respective computer systems. Be sure to tell students to notify the instructor in the case of an apparent malfunction or a failure of the system to start up.
  5. After all student systems have been successfully started, take them step-by-step through the process of starting the "Succeed in School" program. Monitor all students carefully to ensure that they have all started the correct program, and are at the same point before continuing.
  6. Once all students are at the main page of the program, demonstrate for them how to log on to the program and make their own files to allow them to track their progress.
  7. After the students have developed their own personal files, stop their progress and explain the importance of following the prescribed order of lessons shown on the main page of the program. Discuss the drawbacks of not following the prescribe course of instruction, such as an inability to fully comprehend the meaning of a paragraph, or not effectively increasing their reading skills or speed.
  8. Assign the students to spend three hours reading a regular printed book during the evening, subject matter of their own choice.
  9. Assign the students one hour during the evening visiting the self-motivation websites of http://www.lightyourfire.com/ and http://www.hypnotapes.com/. Inform the students that there will be a daily discussion of the recommended websites each day.
Day Two: ** Prior to bringing students into the classroom each day, the instructor will ensure that all computer setups are functional and have the proper software loaded for the lessons.**
  1. Review all items covered the previous day.
  2. Ask the students if they have any questions, and answer as many questions as possible. If there are questions you are unable to answer, ensure the student that you will find the answer and get it back to them as soon as possible.
  3. If there are no questions, or they have all been answered, proceed to have the students startup their systems and log on. When all students are logged on, have them access their personal progress files, and determine if they would like to re-do the previous day’s work, or continue on with the prescribed order of instruction.
4. If students report that they are having trouble with the reading comprehension portions due to

unfamiliarity of the words, or they having difficulties in finding better ways to express

themselves, recommend that they visit the following sites for help: http://www.onelook.com/,

http://www.m-w.com/netdict.htm and http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/rbeard/diction.html

  1. When the students are done with their lessons for the day, ensure that they have properly saved their personal progress, and exited the program.
  2. Make study assignments following the previous day’s assignment schedule.
Day Three: ** Prior to bringing students into the classroom each day, the instructor will ensure that all computer setups are functional and have the proper software loaded for the lessons.**
  1. Review all items covered the previous day, including any websites the students may have visited during the last two nights that pertain to what they are doing in class.
  2. Ask the students if they have any questions, and answer as many questions as possible. If there are questions you are unable to answer, ensure the student that you will find the answer and get it back to them as soon as possible.
  3. If there are no questions, or they have all been answered, proceed to have the students startup their systems and log on. When all students are logged on, have them access their personal progress files, and determine if they would like to re-do the previous day’s work, or continue on with the prescribed order of instruction.
  4. When the students are done with their lessons for the day, ensure that they have properly saved their personal progress, and exited the program.
  5. Assign the students to visit the following websites before the next class:
http://www.jb-ublications.com/improve.html and http://www.motivator.com/selfimprove.html. These are

more self-motivational sites.