Computers in Action
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Fonts


Clueless

Language Objectives:
Writing, reading, question formation
Computer Objectives: Scrolling, adjusting font size
Language Level: Beginner to advanced
Time: One-half hour
Computer Prerequisite: Scrolling, highlighting
Preparation:

Make sure the zoom feature is at 200% or higher on all computers so that when students choose the largest font size, the words will be so large they will not be able to read a complete sentence without scrolling. You can do this by clicking the View menu, then clicking Zoom. Prepare a sentence or two beforehand to demonstrate the changing of font and font size. For example:

What were you
doing when the
lights went out?

If students don't know how to open a document, you may want to do that for them in advance on their computers.

Activity
  • After showing students how to use the font functions, have them work in pairs.
  • With a normal size font, have students type a sentence, preferably a question to which other students can respond.
  • Instruct them to highlight their sentence.
  • Then have students change the font size to its highest setting, e.g., 72. They can do this by clicking the Format menu, and then clicking Font.
  • Students then go to another computer in order to scroll to read what is on the screen.
  • Students have three chances to move the scroll bar, read the question, and answer it.
Variations:
  • Students can experiment with font types and sizes by collaborating on making signs, banners or flyers for the school.
  • By making the window small, a variation of the same activity can be played by shrinking a word (person, place, or thing) to the smallest font, playing 20 questions and then enlarging the size when the word is guessed correctly or at the end of the 20 questions.
YOUR ideas!

E-mail us YOUR ideas or submit a form and we will add them as a Variation.

 

CESOL || NELRC

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He's going home now. He goes home now. He going home now.