The curriculum for middle school students -- although not the same for all schools -- is usually based on topics such as databases and common workplace programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet Explorer. Microsoft Word is a good seminar topic that allows the students to get creative while learning something. One seminar plan devised by the Hotchalk website gets students to create a birthday invitation using Word. Encourage students to use clip art, create borders and experiment with colors, fonts and shapes. The seminar will teach the students about using Microsoft Word as an artistic design program.
IT students in their mid-teens can learn about the use and misuse of data, designing systems, hardware, control systems, health and safety, information systems, IT in society, security and software applications. Focus on thinking about IT as a concept. Encourage students to engage in class discussions about how computers can affect society. Topic questions can include "What different ways can we gain access illegally?" and "How much of a threat is wireless connectivity?"
Seminars held at a university-standard of education will be based on advanced topics that will vary greatly between universities. Some common areas of study include computer psychology, coding, mathematical theories, engineering, data, music, computer design and graphics. Seminars at this level should involve the class as a whole, promoting discussion and debate. Seminar topics will also follow a predetermined lesson plans as outlined by the department -- they usually start with an introduction to the topic seminar.
According to the Florida Atlantic University, we remember only 30 percent of what we see, hear and read. Conversely, we remember up to 90 percent of what we experience and do. Hands-on learning is an excellent way to deliver the seminar topic and will help your students understand and memorize the lesson's teachings. Topics based on IT hardware could have the students test the hardware before connecting and using it on the PC. For example, hold a seminar on photography hardware: get the students to experiment with taking photos before connecting and learning about how the hardware interacts with the computer.