Control

            Students learn computer skills at own pace.
             Students at Springdale High School in Arkansas don't wonder what they have to do to earn an A in computer class. And they don't worry about being bored or overwhelmed by the work. .
             Traditional computer classes in the school's business technology department have been replaced with self-paced, mastery learning classes that have specific learning goals. Students learn at their own pace and demonstrate that they have acquired the necessary skills to advance to the next level. .
             "Students are taking much more responsibility for their actions," said Kathleen Johnson, who teaches computer skills. "They are more likely to analyze problems and find solutions to improving their grades. They are also learning to set goals, meet deadlines, and manage their time.".
             After being frustrated that some students were wasting time, Marilyn Carrell, head of the business technology department, teamed up with other business teachers, including Johnson and Karrie Combs, to revamp the school's computer courses in the 1999-2000 school year. .
             "We were teaching semester-long courses, and the advanced kids  those with computers at home  were bored to death," Carrell said. "But we couldn't skip the basics, because the beginning students needed the basic instruction.".
             Input from the business community.
             Teachers from the business technology department polled other teachers about the computer skills that contribute to success in high school, college, or careers. They also asked the school's advisory board of business experts to recommend computer skills and compiled a list of skills that business professionals need. .
             The teachers then reorganized the courses and got a waiver from the state officials to teach computer skills in a new way. The courses at Springdale High School cover the same skills that the state wants taught  and more  but the skills now are arranged in an integrated software curriculum.