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Mouse
Practical Computer Exam

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Mouse Introduction

Mouse is a fun computer game that teaches new computer users how to use the mouse in a typical dialog window environment.

		Product Description
		When you start Mouse you will be given a task to complete, three lives and some time on the clock. You must complete the designated task before the clock reaches zero. If you cannot do so you will loose a life. If you do complete the task correctly, you will be given a new task and the clock will reset. Each time the clock resets, the speed of the countdown gets faster so that eventually you will loose a life. Your objective is to get as high a score as possible.

Practical Use

While providing fun for the learner, Mouse is intended to act as a serious training program. It takes learners through all the mouse related functions such as clicking, right clicking, double clicking, drag and drop, text selection, use of combo box, check boxes, option buttons etc. While learners are focusing on attaining high scores, they are unconsciously learning to perform all mouse related functions without having to think about them. While learning to drive a car one consciously needs to think about every action but over time the driving actions move into the realm of habit. In my experience of using this program, mouse use becomes a habit very quickly. I could ask a learner to select some text and they would instinctively do so even if they had only been using the computer for a week.


		Features
		Fully customisable options Amount of time available for each task The complexity of tasks that will be given Whether hints will be shown or not ( hints explain to the learner how the task can be completed ) Whether the control involved in the task will be highlighted in red or not A score board of the top ten scores on a particular computer. This can be easily reset with the click of a button Quick level selection Images can be attached to a lesson step to help explain an aspect of it Video clips can be attached to a lesson step to show the learner how the step should be performed Levels Clicking, Right-Clicking and Double-Clicking Use of drop down combo boxes, check boxes, tab controls, spin buttons, option buttons Selection/highlighting of paragraphs, words and parts of words Drag and Drop. Distinguishes between drag and drop copy and paste and drag and drop cut and paste. File management. Tasks require user to navigate folders to open or save files. Printing

		For Trainers
		This program has been successfully tested and used in training scenarios in Uganda, Africa where I worked as a computer teacher for a year and a half. (For details of that experience click here). Students became competitive in trying to achieve a higher score than their classmates. They enjoyed using Mouse but were learning advanced computer skills at the same time.