Essential Computer Skills for Students to Master by High School

 You might assume that by the time your child is ready for high school, they will have mastered all things "computer," regardless of whether they have attended an online school, distance learning programme, or a more conventional school. After all, most preteens and teens already spend a significant portion of their day staring at devices. Students in middle school should begin learning how to use computers now so they can succeed in high school, college, and beyond. Examine the following list of the top computer skills for your child to learn to ensure that he or she is prepared for the academic demands of today's high schools.

Web Surfing

The computer user should also be familiar with the common software used with a mouse and keyboard. See to it that your kid knows how to use "Bookmarks" or "Favourites" and is familiar with the three most popular browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge). They need to learn to erase their browser's cache, history, and cookies when it starts performing slowly.

Typing Skill

Typing is the foundation of computer use. Young children often learn to use computers by mastering the basics, including how to type. A pupil in middle school should have the ability to type quickly and accurately using both hands. There are plenty of typing games like Type Fu available online to help your high school student who is falling behind catch up.

Conducting Research via the Web

Research for essays, reports, and presentations in high school often necessitates the use of online databases, print resources, and personal interviews with experts in the field (SMEs). In order to do research for high school online courses, students need to be able to use the internet effectively. This includes being able to evaluate web resources for authority, currency, purpose, and content, as well as conducting an effective search with a search engine (like Google, Bing, or Yahoo) using advanced search commands, identifying legitimate resources, etc.

Microsoft Office

A high school student needs to be proficient in the most widely used software suite in order to make effective use of their computer. Your kid has to be proficient with Microsoft Office, a set of tools that are widely used in schools and businesses. It has the usual suspects, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Email Etiquette

Email, instant messaging, and social media posts are just some of the ways in which computers facilitate communication. Your youngster will be better able to communicate through these mediums if he or she has a firm grasp of how communications should adapt to different settings.

Systematising and Updating Files

It's getting difficult to keep up with all of the homework. A computer user's ability to generate and save work is fundamental, but the prolific user will quickly learn that they need a method for organising their files. Understand the use of external discs, such as flash and thumb drives, etc., and be able to construct and label directories for storing files and other organisational elements.

Competence in Online Privacy, Security, and Safety

Students at virtual schools also need to know how to stay secure while using the internet. You may have instructed your youngster to stay away from unknown websites, delete strange emails, and be cautious when using social media, but cybercriminals are becoming more cunning every day. Students should be aware of the hows and whys of cyber safety measures such as enabling the "Do Not Track Tool" in browsers, creating and never sharing passwords, avoiding opening attachments from unknown senders, requesting approval before signing up for anything, adhering to age restrictions on all social networking sites, etc.

Basic Computer Troubleshooting

Fundamental knowledge of computers and how to troubleshoot issues is essential for any user. If your high schooler encounters computer issues, he or she should know how to perform some basic troubleshooting steps, such as verifying that all cables and plugs are securely connected, and that power strips are turned on; documenting each step taken to resolve the issue; and, finally, rebooting the computer and/or programme.

Tips to Guide Students to Develop Responsible Use of Smartphones

Do you have a mobile device in your hands to read this? If your answer is yes, then you must be aware of the difficulty caused by smartphones in the classroom. The usage of technology is pervasive. Our pupils live in a technologically advanced environment, so we must discover methods to limit their smartphone use at school. As the best CBSE school in Bhubaneswar, we know that the previous model of just prohibiting phones doesn't work and only leads to greater behavioural difficulties in the classroom. So here are some suggestions for rethinking the role of cell phones in the classroom.

The Battle of Old Habits and New Guidelines

When it comes to kids, it's easy to see why parents and schools might consider enforcing blanket restrictions on all cellophane use. However, it is important to keep in mind that harsh punishments can have unintended results in the classroom. For example, parents who value being able to contact their kids quickly in an emergency may be less inclined to support a ban on smartphones. Individual confiscation as a threat does not work either: When put away in a pocket, a cell phone nevertheless creates a distracting background hum. In addition, the act of confiscation invites noncompliance and unnecessary conflict, which weakens teacher-student relationships and raises stress and anxiety levels.

It is reasonable to expect pupils to adhere to rules if we make them clear to them. When pupils are competing with the world of the internet on pocket-sized dopamine dispensers, it can be natural for instructors and parents to punish them automatically. Punitive methods like confiscation are frequently used, even by teachers who should know better.

Educate Students About the Effects of Smartphones

Try to think of ways that you can incorporate mobile phone research into your topic. The mathematician among you will find the cell phone usage data to be quite illuminating. In a social studies course, it would be beneficial to discuss the emergence and impact of various technologies on the development of societies and the distribution of people across the globe. The scientific process can be enriched by delving into the physiology of pleasure/reward feedback loops. We have experimented as one of the best CBSE schools in Bhubaneswar by having pupils keep diaries in which they record their experiences during a cell phone fast or otherwise reflect on their own personal relationship with technology. The outcomes have been revolutionary.

Start a Student Information Campaign at School

Students can avoid guilt and blame by learning the science behind cell phone addiction. You should expect them to steal your focus. Schools can organise screenings of documentaries like The Social Dilemma and offer open forums where students may talk to their peers about the dangers of using social media.

Evolve the Mindset

Teachers now need to adapt to the changing needs of a generation that is deeply embedded in technology. Consider impulse control a lagging ability that needs encouragement to develop rather than disrespectful cell phone use. ODM Global School, the best CBSE school in Bhubaneswar, recommends combining multiple tactics at once, stressing the need for time, effort, and collaboration between parents/teachers and kids in order to achieve the greatest results.