Lesson 2--Caring for Your Computer (7 minutes) Basic rules for Computer Care

Lessons 3--8 are now available as an outline, with clickable links to the websites listed in the presentations.

Lesson 3--Introduction and Netiquette (10 minutes) The first of 6 lessons on using the internet effectively, efficiently, legally and safely. I recommend that parents watch these lessons with older students, and before younger students, even if you have not registered for the classes yourself. Younger students may not understand everything in them. However, if your students are using the internet without direct supervision, they need to be aware of the information in these lessons.

Lesson 4--Searching the Internet (13 minutes) Focuses on using search engines to find information on the web. Includes tips to make your searches more efficient.

Lesson 5--Evaluating Websites (10 minutes) Explains what to look for in a website to decide if it is appropriate for your use, and accurate for your research.

Lesson 6--Internet Communication (22 minutes) Explores the different types of internet communication, including email and blogging, and the advantages and problems involved in each. Also discusses privacy and security issues.

Lesson 7--Viruses and Spyware (17 minutes) Explains the different types of viruses and spyware, and how to prevent them.

Lesson 8-- Copyright (26 minutes) Focuses on Copyright law as it applies to using material from the internet, with emphasis on student use, fair use, and multimedia, including downloading music and copying movies.

These are Word documents which explain the lessons that are available this session. You can print them if you want to use them as checklists. There is no limit on the number of lessons you do, and you can do lessons from any level. Passwords will be emailed to those families who have paid for this session.

Level 2--3-5

Level 3--6-Adult

Links to teacher instructions in PDF form for the Activities have been added to the Word documents.

The EasyTech© lessons include lessons in touch typing. I do recommend that students have more practice than what is included here. There are many typing programs on the market, or you can use Learn2Type, which has a free version on the website. They also have a pay version, which does not include pop-up advertising.

If you would like to set up controlled email accounts for your children, I recommend EPals. On this website, you can obtain free email accounts that you can monitor. The site also has monitored message boards and blog sites. Your children can have epals all over the world.

1. Register yourself as a teacher.

2. Create a profile. Identify yourself as a home school parent, and give a little info about the ages and interests of your children. It takes a day or two for your profile to be approved.

3. Click MONITORED ACCOUNTS, then ACCOUNTS, then CREATE NEW ACCOUNTS.

4. Set up accounts for your children.

Profanity filters are organized from Level 1 to Level 4, with Level 1 providing the most stringent filtering. In all cases, you can choose whether or not to preview messages containing attachments.

6. Explore the profiles of other teachers. You can even search for other home school families in other countries and email them to find epals for your children. You can join projects that are already in progress, or create your own.

Note: The filters on this program are very strict. It will filter as profanity any word or portion of a word that could be used inappropriately, even if it's not being used that way in the context of the email.