Key Words: Macintosh basics, computer skills, productivity tools, multimedia tools, HyperStudio, ClarisWorks, digital video, digital cameras, scanning

MacPac for Teachers: Hands-on Macintosh Applications - No Longer Available

Annette Lamb (1997)

ISBN 0-9641581-4-0

$19.95

146 pages

 

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Overview

 

A hands-on, step-by-step guidebook focusing on Macintosh basics, ClarisWorks, HyperStudio, and digitizing images, video, and sounds. A great companion to Treehouse for Learning.

 

Table of Contents

 

Chapter 1 - Basic Macintosh Skills: Getting to Know the Desktop

 

From turning on the computer to saving files and formatting disks, this chapter helps users become comfortable using the computer.

 

Chapter 2 - Basic Productivity Tools: ClarisWorks in the Classroom

 

This chapter provides step-by-step instructions for using the word processing, painting, drawing, database, and spreadsheet in Clarisworks.

 

Chapter 3 - Multimedia Tools: HyperStudio in the Classroom

 

Learning HyperStudio is easy with the step-by-step instructions provided in this chapter. The chapter includes making stacks, cards, fields, and buttons. Users learn to integrate still pictures, Quicktime movies, laserdisc segments, CD-Audio, sounds, animation, and testing into their projects.

 

Chapter 4 - Digitizing Images: Scanning and Digital Cameras

 

The final chapter focuses on using a scanner, digital camera, and video camera to create still and motion pictures for projects.

 

Index

 

Introduction

 

My students know more about computers than I do! I've never used a Macintosh! I'm scared of mice!   Anyone can learn to use the computer. Yes, even you! Once you've mastered the Macintosh computer, your skills will easily transfer to other computer platforms. This book was developed for teachers learning the basics of the Macintosh computer. It provides step-by-step instructions for using computer tools to develop print, projected, display, and multimedia materials for your classroom. Once you've mastered the basics, you'll be able to involve students in using these tools to create exciting classroom projects!   This book was developed as a companion to Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classroom. While Treehouses focuses on the application and integration of technology, this book provides the step-by-step instruction to learning the tools.   Each of the hardware, software, and peripherals discussed is available for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms, so you'll be able to apply the skills you learn in this book to whatever equipment you may have at your school.   You can't just read about technology, you've got to do it! I suggest that you place this book next to the computer as you proceed through the software programs. I'll provide some sample projects, but you may want to start with your own content and simply follow my lead.   New versions of hardware and software are constantly being introduced. Be aware that the screens and commands may vary depending on the version of the programs you are using. This book will be updated frequently, but it won't be able to keep up with all the changes. Refer to your owner's manual for specific commands that may have changed. Finally, just do it! You can't break it. The worst thing that can happen is that software will need to be reinstalled or you'll have to retype a paper that you've lost. Both experts and "newbies" have trouble with technology. The screen freezes, the network goes down, or the disk goes bad, these are just hazards of the Information Age. When you have problems, take a deep breath, restart the computer, and try it again. Good Luck!

 

Sample Selection

 

From MacPac for Teachers - Chapter 1: Pages 6-9

 

Macintosh Entry Skills

There are three fundamental and essential skills for using a Macintosh. These are the skills of using the mouse for pointing, clicking, and dragging. If you're already good at pointing, clicking and dragging, skip to this section.

Entry Skill #1: Pointing

You need to be able to use the mouse to move the pointer to any object on the screen.

The mouse is a small device that controls a pointer on the Mac screen. Figure 1-1 contains a pointer, can you find it? The pointer is a small shape on the screen that follows the movement of the mouse. The pointer may be an arrow, an I-bar, or some other shape. The pointer only moves when the mouse rolls on a surface.

As you can tell, using the mouse to move the pointer requires some eye/hand coordination. Pointing will become automatic with practice. After a while, you won't even have to think about it, you'll just do it.

Entry Skill #2: Clicking

You need to be able to click on any desired object on the screen.

Notice that the mouse has a button on it. Clicking is quickly pressing and releasing the mouse button without moving the mouse. When you point to an object on the screen and press the mouse button, you're clicking that object. Clicking makes something happen. For example, icons are selected by clicking on them.

Entry Skill #3: Dragging

You need to be able to drag any desired object from one screen location to another.

Dragging is the procedure of moving an object on the screen from one location to another.

To drag objects from one place to another:

 

Point at the desired object.

Press the mouse button and hold it down.

Move the mouse while you watch the object move on the screen.

Stop moving the mouse when you get it to the desired location.

Release the mouse button.

 

You must be able to perform the pointing, clicking, and dragging operations in order to use a Macintosh. If these skills are new to you, you'll need to develop them before you can make much progress with your computer. We've found that one of the best ways to learn and practice these skills is provided on the Macintosh Tour that comes with every Macintosh computer. You can also practice by dragging objects such as the trash can around on the screen.

When you're an effective "pointer, clicker, and dragger," you're ready for your next set of skills. The fourth skill is double-clicking.

Entry Skill #4: Double-clicking

You need to be able to double-click at any desired object on the screen.

A double-click is two single clicks in quick succession. You quickly press and release the mouse button two times without moving the mouse.

Double-clicking is a mouse technique used to perform a shortcut. For example, one way to open a folder is to click on it to select it, then choose Open from the File menu. A shortcut for opening a folder is to double-click on it.

The fifth skill is called selecting. One of the nifty features of the Macintosh is its consistency. That is, every time you want to act on an object, you first have to identify that object for the computer. That way the Mac knows which object it's supposed to act on. The process of identifying the object is called selecting and it's done by simply clicking on the object. You can select many kinds of items including files and folders.

Entry Skill #5: Selecting

You need to be able to select objects on the Macintosh screen.

Selecting an object is a matter of putting the pointer on the desired object and clicking the mouse button. For example, to select Trash, put the pointer on the Trash icon and click. Notice that when you release the button the object is highlighted. Clicking on one icon at a time selects (highlights) that object. It also de-selects previously selected objects.

To select more than one object at a time, you can hold down the Shift-key then click the mouse button on the other icons one at a time.

There are two other Macintosh operations with which you need to be familiar. These three operations are very closely related. In fact, experienced Mac users perform them as one smooth and continuous operation. They are actually combinations of the three basic skills: pointing, clicking, and dragging.

Entry Skill #6: Pulling down menus

You need to be able to pull down menus.

Along the top of the Mac screen is the menu bar. Each item on the menu bar hides a set of commands. To see the commands, you simply point at the desired menu item, click your mouse, and hold it down. For example, to pull down the File menu, point at the word File on the menu bar, then click the mouse button and hold it down. This is different than Windows where you click on the menu. The menu appears and you read the choices for as long as you hold the mouse button down. When you release the mouse button, the menu disappears.

Entry Skill #7: Choosing menu items

You need to be able to choose menu items from pull-down menus.

Once you've pulled down a menu so you can see the commands, the next step is to choose one of those commands. Choosing one of the commands is a matter of dragging the pointer to the desired command, stopping, and then releasing the mouse button. The action that takes place then depends on what object was selected and the command you chose. For example, if a folder was selected, and you chose Open from the File menu, upon releasing the mouse button, the folder would zoom open to reveal the contents of the folder in a window. In Figure 1-2, I selected the Trash can, pulled down the File menu, and selected Open. The Trash can window opened.

There are a number of other skills that will make your work with the Macintosh easier and more enjoyable. For example, you may want to become familiar with the basic "feel" of the Macintosh. You could learn to use the Finder for moving file icons around the screen (desktop), opening folders, selecting icons, and choosing Get Info... from the File menu.

 

 

Sample Activity

 

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