Our First ITC Lesson in Year 3!

Today was a very exciting moment for our Year 3 students in the PYP program—they had their very first ITC lesson with computers! For the first time, the children rented computers for the class, and before they could even begin, they had to learn the important routines of how to check the devices out, and just as importantly, how to return them at the end of the lesson. They practiced putting the laptops back carefully on their chargers so that everything would be ready for the next use. This sense of responsibility was an important part of the learning experience.

Once the computers were ready, the students explored typing for the first time using the free online tool, memonotepad.com. Each student also learned that it is important to properly date their work at the top of the page before starting. The task was to write a short introductory paragraph about themselves, including details such as their name, where and when they were born (this part is still a work in progress), how many siblings they have, and even whether they own pets.

Along the way, the children practiced important writing skills. They were reminded to begin every sentence with a capital letter (still something they are working on) and to end sentences with periods.

They also discovered that names, cities, and countries must always begin with a capital letter. Despite still making grammatical mistakes—many of them are still relying mostly on phonics—the students showed determination and enthusiasm in their very first computer-based writing assignments.

They were all incredibly proud of what they created. Here are some examples of their work:

.

These short but meaningful first attempts at computer writing were a big milestone. More than just learning to type, our students began to understand the importance of digital organization, responsibility, and proper writing conventions. Despite the challenges, they were excited to share their efforts.

It was wonderful to see the pride on their faces as they presented their work to one another. This first ITC lesson was not only about technology, but also about building confidence, independence, and pride in their growing skills. It is just the beginning of many more exciting digital learning adventures to come!