To: Instructors 1. keep tally on substitutes (names, dates, etc.), absences of students and session missed, and hand in to me at end of first session.

2. note any problem with teaching material and if you have any suggestions

3. note any problem with hardware and define

Verify that you have received this message. Thanks. Lynn

-- Anonymous, September 15, 1999

Answers

Some of us wish that some of the computers were equipped with a track ball. Think we could find some for our arthritic students? Perhaps the Computer Club could furnish one if we don't think of another use for the money. We'll be addressing that very soon!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 1999

First of all let me preface my remarks by saying that I am an Logitech Trackman bigot and both key systems in my house are so equipped. Now for the problems I see that it might cause. Let's say we bought 2. Would these be permanently attached to two systems? Which systems? How do we know which person is going to be the "mouse challenged" when we assign them systems? If no one in the class, is mouse challenged does that mean that two people will have to use a TrackBall and never work with a mouse like they have on their home system? I can think of solutions to some of these problems but there are a lot of things to be considered. I am not opposed to it but a lot of kinks have to be worked out. I have 2 mouse challenged people in my clas sbut I am not sure either would be helped my the mouse. Especially if they did not have one at home too. The last thing is that a great number of people (including yours truly) found them harder at first. We do not want to introduce anythign into the class thta may increase their time to mouse proficency.

Let's have Bob Ennis the Lab Manager look at it and see if there are ways around these problems.

Bruce

-- Anonymous, September 18, 1999

More on mouse profiency.

There is a set of three exercises on the SeniorNet Learning Center download files that I have downloaded. I intend to copy then to disk and leave a set in the Lab. I see nothing wrong with copying those files to the students personal disk for them to practice at home if they are challenged by the mouse. I just reread what I wrote in response to Louise's suggestion about the TrackBall and it sounded much harsher than I intended and I apologize for that. Louise had that suggestion and others think the mouse speed should be adjusted. I guess I have a real hang-uo about doing anything that makes one machine unique for the other. Other centers have told me that one of the biggest problems is keeping the systems identical. I also get concerned that after one instructor adjusts the mouse for a student in the next session someone that can double click fast takes over. Does the instructor in that class readjust it back? Pretty soon you could take the first 10 minutes of each class adjusting mouse speeds or disconnecting the TrackBall and giving someone back a normal mouse. My other suggestion is that we run a lab session and allow anyone who wants help with the mouse to attend. We could spend an hour on just mouse drill and practice.

Just comments on it that were meant as a view from another voilunteer and not as a center policy decision. I live with two big mouse challenged students in my class and I know there is a problem that has to be solved. I am just confused about the trade-off of the solutions.

Bruce

-- Anonymous, September 18, 1999

Having observed some of the problems encountered by a "mouse challenged" student, if one of these people would volunteer to be a test for us, I wonder what would happen if you positioned a hand properly on the mouse and gently taped the fingers in place to prevent lifting a hand off the mouse before clicking, which is what seems to take place so often. I can see where it could cause cramping in the hand after a while but do think it could solve some problems. Any thoughts? It just might help get the proper feel for operating a mouse with no difficulty.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 1999

We seem to lock in on one item and beat it to death. As far as the mouse is concerned, I brought this up in the early meetings when Joe was still around, and the opinion at that time was that the course was geared to the mouse, so that's what we should do. There were other parts to the origional message that have gotten burried in the mouse.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 1999

I see now why we do not want to change. Instructors, share anything that you found useful with your mouse-challenged pupils!

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999