As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each Tuesday, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy!Q: I teach kindergarten. They don’t always understand the difference between left and right.
A: There are two times kids get confused about right and left when I’m teaching:
- right mouse button
- clicking in front of a spot (to edit, use the tab key, format–stuff like that)
I’ve found an easy way to clarify. Here’s an example:
“Right click with your mouse”
Student promptly clicks with their left mouse. I know–doesn’t make sense. It does to them. They’re happy to focus on the right hand and have no idea they need to go one level further.
“The other right.”
Always works. And, they don’t feel stupid (which they aren’t). They remember it.
Question you want answered? Send it to Kali at [email protected]
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
