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How would you tutor someone in computers?

G

groovin

Senior member
if you had to tutor a 6th grader in computers, how would you do it?

this wouldnt be for school, but just so the kid gains some good skills. everything would probaly be windows-centric at first, but later itd be nice to teach some *nix and basic networking.

would it be worth it to even teach any DOS? otherwise my plan would be something like:

-basics: booting, shutdown, exploring, internet browsing, office, email, managing files
-less basic: installing software, setting up network connection, basic system maintenance, basic security (spyware, antivirus)
-moderate to advanced: installing hardware, troubleshooting, installing windows, more complex system maintenance, managing users, build system from scratch, more complex security

any advice is appreciated! thanks!
 
Originally posted by: groovin
if you had to tutor a 6th grader in computers, how would you do it?

this wouldnt be for school, but just so the kid gains some good skills. everything would probaly be windows-centric at first, but later itd be nice to teach some *nix and basic networking.

would it be worth it to even teach any DOS? otherwise my plan would be something like:

-basics: booting, shutdown, exploring, internet browsing, office, email, managing files
-less basic: installing software, setting up network connection, basic system maintenance, basic security (spyware, antivirus)
-moderate to advanced: installing hardware, troubleshooting, installing windows, more complex system maintenance, managing users, build system from scratch, more complex security

any advice is appreciated! thanks!
Click to expand...

Stay in Windows. use laymans terms -> "booting" = "turning on", etc, and KISS. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
Originally posted by: groovin
if you had to tutor a 6th grader in computers, how would you do it?

this wouldnt be for school, but just so the kid gains some good skills. everything would probaly be windows-centric at first, but later itd be nice to teach some *nix and basic networking.

would it be worth it to even teach any DOS? otherwise my plan would be something like:

-basics: booting, shutdown, exploring, internet browsing, office, email, managing files
-less basic: installing software, setting up network connection, basic system maintenance, basic security (spyware, antivirus)
-moderate to advanced: installing hardware, troubleshooting, installing windows, more complex system maintenance, managing users, build system from scratch, more complex security

any advice is appreciated! thanks!
Click to expand...

Stay in Windows. use laymans terms -> "booting" = "turning on", etc, and KISS. 🙂
Click to expand...

Yeah, you don't want him to start repeating words at school and getting beaten up 😀. That sounds like a good plan. I am glad my dad did this with me. Make sure you don't force this on him, let him decide if he is really interested in computers or not.
 
i learned everything i know on my own. no one taught me anything, and i know more about computers than people triple my age who work with computers for a living.... and im only 15.... lol... sad.... i guess tech just comes manually to me.... i never read manuals...
let him play around with the computer a bit on his own so he gets the jist of it.
 
thanks for the replies,

he has a computer that i built for him a while back so he knows something about them (i think). his mom asked me to teach him and he is pretty excited about learning.
 
Originally posted by: groovin
thanks for the replies,

he has a computer that i built for him a while back so he knows something about them (i think). his mom asked me to teach him and he is pretty excited about learning.
Click to expand...

if he likes computers and has broadband internet access, he will learn more than you could ever teach him directly. if not, then he'll cap out at some level of knowlege and be content with that.
 
I'm personally partial to starting with a CLI. A GUI is kind of like antifreeze---sure it tastes really sweet, but it's poisonous; however, I also suppose that timely intervention will leave no lasting negative effects. In fact, teach both simultaneously; demonstrate that whatever can be done graphically (which the exception of graphics, of course) can be done textually.

Yay hyperbole!
 
I started with DOS, taught myself pretty much everything I know on the MS side of things, but I think sticking with the GUI is better nowadays when the CLI isn't the part you're presented with. For a start, it's safer that way.
 
no use for DOS anymore really... plus its close enough to *nix that if he learns basic commands for there im sure he could figure DOS out 😉
 
Did it ever occur to people that not every one learns the same? There are many styles that people use to learn. Any one that things that the world is a facsimile of him self are wrong at best, or might have a borderline personality disorder.:shocked:

May be his mother right and he does need a boost.:thumbsup:

Even self learners do much better with a good teacher that takes into consideration the Student?s style. I.e. the teacher takes the roll of pointing the student toward the right information and help in organizing the knowledge rather then imposing.

Grooving you has the right idea. Start slow listen and evaluate for your self how the kid seems to learn best. Then match your style to his.:music:

Unlike similar process with adults, it has better to start with functional things and then backward to the principles rather then start with principles that might be too abstract at this age. E.g. Start with functional Windows XP.

:sun:
 
I dunno when I try to tell my kids anything there eyes just glaze over and they fall asleep. Just buy him a good shoot em up game and call it good.
If your a kid interested in computers let me know maybe I'll adopt you.😉
 
You can try to make together a list of games that they would like.

1. You get Game 1 when you learn how to use Word.
2. You get Game 2 when you learn how to use Excel.
3. You get Game 3 when you know the principle of the Video Card.
And so on.

It should their choice if they want to learn ion their own or get help. If they ask for Help it has to be given to them with a positive attitude.

:sun:

P.S. The above is just examples, you can choose what ever you thing it functional for your Kids.
 
Originally posted by: GML3G0
i learned everything i know on my own. no one taught me anything, and i know more about computers than people triple my age who work with computers for a living.... and im only 15.... lol... sad.... i guess tech just comes manually to me.... i never read manuals...
let him play around with the computer a bit on his own so he gets the jist of it.
Click to expand...

Same here. I am also the same age. I learn stuff on my own. I learn alot from reading and forums like this too.

 
I'm younger than both of you guys. I'm just 13. I do wish someone taught me anything. The closest thing to a teacher for computer stuff for me is Google, and forums like this.
 
Originally posted by: n yusef
I'm younger than both of you guys. I'm just 13. I do wish someone taught me anything. The closest thing to a teacher for computer stuff for me is Google, and forums like this.
Click to expand...

google and forums is a great place to go besides formal training... i studied programming for a bit in college, but all the real IT i learned just messing with stuff and on the job.

 
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