With a furry of textbooks on the market for computer applications instruction, it can be difficult to determine what constitutes legitmate instructional content and which does not.

A recent exercise provided by one of the top textbook companies for computer softskill instruction presented a lesson which allowed students to edit textboxes, format cell content, and edit excel value content. However, left no column for the number of units sold on an inventory control worksheet.

When my class attempted to complete the problem, we were forced to develop our own column for the number of items sold in order for the inventory spreadsheet to become something meaningful for instruction.

Therefore, take heed and examine closely the textbook problems connected with computer instruction. Make sure that is a bona fida solution so that students can relate the learning to something they are doing or have already practiced previously.

Here are some helpful hints for even the most basic instructional lesson design:

1. there must be a produceable outcome at the end of the exercise to make it worthwhile
2. the exercise should have content and be put into a context that students in that age group can related to.
3. it should emphasize a practical skill necessary for success in school or the world of work
4. it should be able to be accomplished within a given class period
5. it should be reinforced throughout the unit or throughout the mulit-day lesson connected with it's online instruction.