"Teach
the Tool - Use the Tool to Teach"
Curriculum
North Carolina K-5
Computer/Technology Skills curriculum areas of focus by
grade level.
Kindergarten
- Parts of the computer and how
to operate
- keyboarding familiarity
- Grouping and sequencing
- Respect for the work of others
|
Grade
1
- Using technology at home and school
- Gathering, organizing, and displaying
data
- Using word processing
- Exploring multimedia
|
Grade
2
- Using technology in the community
- Using electronic database to locate
information
- Building word processing skills
- Collecting, sorting, and displaying
data
- Exploring multimedia (graphics,
sound, text)
- Using drawing tools
|
Grade
3
- Awareness of Copyright Law
- Exploring information technologies
- Building word processing techniques
- Exploring spreadsheets
|
Grade
4
- Using databases
- Using spreadsheets
- Locating information on the Internet
- Evaluating information found through
telecommunications
- Developing word processing documents
- Exploring e-mail
- Identifying ways technology has
changed North Carolina technology
|
Grade
5
- Using search engines
- Exploring the need for protection
against viruses and vandalism
- Participating in curriculum-based
telecommunication projects
- Developing word processing document
using proper keyboarding techniques
- Developing a product using a database
|
|
North Carolina Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study |
Students learn technology skills
that include desktop publishing (word processing), spreadsheet,
database, multimedia, Internet, and ethics. These standards are
set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
New Hanover County's goal is to teach these skills as they are
integrated with the core subject areas of Language Arts, Math,
Science, and Social Studies. Technology skills can also be integrated
with the arts, healthful living (P.E. and Health), Information
Skills (Media Center), and Guidance.
|
The strength of technology
is that it provides an excellent platform where students can
collect information in multiple formats and then organize, link,
and discover relationships among facts and events. An array of
tools for acquiring information and for thinking and expression
allows more students more ways to enter the learning enterprise
successfully and to live productive lives in the global, digital,
and information-based future they all face.
Statham,
Dawn S. , and Torell, Clark R. Computers in the Classroom:
The Impact of Technology on Student Learning, Boise State
University College of Education. p.10
|
OVERVIEW
In our global society, technology changes on a daily basis. Beginning
with kindergarten, students use technology tools to help them
become life-long learners in a technology intensive environment.
The North Carolina Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course
of Study is designed to form the foundation for continuous learning
and to be applicable to ever-changing innovations.
COMPETENCY GOAL
1: The learner will understand
important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit
behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.
This goal addresses the role of technology in all parts
of society. Students must understand the impact of computer technology
on society in a technology-based information rich world. Students
must understand appropriate use of computer technology and exhibit
ethical behavior in using hardware, software, and information
accessing resources.
COMPETENCY GOAL
2: The learner will demonstrate
knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
This goal is concerned with fundamental computer operations
and application software use that make students independent, productive
users of computer technology . Students must master certain computer
operations, application software skills, know computer terms and
functions, demonstrate basic keyboarding skills, and be able to
use software correctly. The application software skills identified
include word processing, database management, spreadsheet problem-solving,
multimedia production, and accessing information resources via
telecommunications.
COMPETENCY GOAL
3: The learner will use a
variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize,
apply, and communicate information.
This goal focuses on the application of computer/technology
skills access. Students will access information using search strategies
and analyze information using database, spreadsheet, and graphing
software. They will then communicate and share the results through
desktop publications, multimedia productions, video-conferencing,
and telecommunications with audiences near and far.
Source:
Fall 1998 Note to Parents... by Martha Campbell, Information Skills
and Computer Skills Consultant, Instructional Services, North
Carolina Department of Public Instruction
You may find out more about
the North Carolina Standard Course of Study by clicking on the
link below.
Click on any one grade level and go directly to its Technology
Standard Course of Study.
Or go directly to the www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computerskills/scos/
Learn the definition of the terms that you will used in the K-8 Computer/Technology Skills SCOS.
Tips for Parents...
Parents can help their children
have a positive attitude toward computers and enjoy the computer
skills they are learning at school.
All Parents Can:
- Tell children about the ways computer
skills are used in their jobs or in their workplace.
- Help children understand that
computer skills are important tools for success now and in the
future.
- Encourage an emphasis on the use
of computers with classroom assignments and projects.
- Use current events to show how
computers play a role in day-to-day life. Discuss how space exploration,
detective work, medical breakthroughs, new car design, favorite
movies, genetic research, ocean exploration, and more are helped
by computers.
- Discuss how learning continues
throughout life, and that having computer skills will open up
an even wider world of information, wonder and possibilities.
- Visit the school to see first-hand
the ways that computers are incorporated in day-to-day classroom
activities.
If You Do Not Use a Computer:
- Encourage discussion when your
child mentions what he or she is learning to do with computers
at school. Ask the child to share with you what he or she is
learning.
- Let your child demonstrate their
keyboarding skills for you, either on a computer or on a typewriter.
- If you have a typewriter, allow
your youngster to use it to practice keyboarding skills, which
are an important part of computer use.
- Consider taking a basic computer
course at a community college or computer training company. It
will probably be fun, it could give you one more skill that can
be used in your work, and it will show your child that you believe
computers are important.
If You Do Use a Computer:
- Discuss with your child how you
learned to use a computer, and the role computers play at your
job.
- If you have a home computer, encourage
your child to use it; consider buying software applications appropriate
for your child.
- Model appropriate skills and behaviors
when using online resources.
- Be familiar with your school system's
Acceptable
Use Policy and encourage your child to follow these guidelines.
- Establish guidelines for using
online resources at home.
- Bookmark specific websites that
you consider appropriate for your child.
- If you are a whiz on the computer,
give your child an opportunity to demonstrate skills they are
learning. Focus on what they know, rather than what they do not
know.
- Encourage younger children in
the family to feel comfortable with computers.