Remember to model the simple things! |
We recently heard concerns from teachers about the difficulty some students were experiencing when using the touchpad on their Chromebooks. Then came the question "Can't they just use a mouse?"
My immediate thought was: does the issue lie with a user's lack of instruction or with the device?
Solid modeling plays a very important role in removing barriers to using technology in the classroom. When young learners need to be shown how to properly hold a pencil we introduce them to the tripod grasp or the pinch and flip trick. So why wouldn't we teach them the two-finger swipe or two-finger scroll on their Chromebook touchpad?
Google provides a support page for everything you would want to know about how to be efficiently touchy with your Chromebook's touchpad: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1047367?hl=en. In addition to learning a few gestures, you can also slow down or speed up the responsiveness of your touchpad.
So remember: be a good model in your classroom and model all skills at all times!