At the end of pre-kindergarten year a child is expected to open and navigate through software programs designed to develop appropriate concepts. The teacher models the use of computers and software, and the child follows basic oral or visual cues. The teacher also provides a variety of audio, video and graphics with which the child interacts to enhance learning experiences. Another expectation is for the child to use and name a variety of computer input devices, such as mouse, keyboard, voice/sound recorder, touch screen and CD-ROM. The teacher provides instruction and practice time to ensure mastery of the skill. The child is also expected to operate voice and sound recorders and touch screens. The teacher models how to use the recording and provides a CD or tape recorder for the children to use. At the end of pre-kindergarten, the child is expected to use software applications to create and express his or her ideas. Finally, the child is expected to recognize that information is accessible through the use of technology. The teacher models and discusses when and how to obtain information from websites.
By surrounding children with technology such as computers, voice/sound recorders, televisions, digital cameras, etc., children learn to handle appropriate technologies. This early exposure to technology in pre-kindergarten lays the foundation for student performance in later years.
A dynamic and spiraling curriculum provides students multiple opportunities to master a skill. What students learn in the upper grades have been built upon knowledge that was introduced in the early years. Constant exposure to the skill helps them to hone it. As an example, the TEKS in the four strands are repeated from K-2 to 6-8. Foundations for K-2 states that the student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components and software programs. The same TEKS is repeated in grades 3-5 and 6-8. Each grade level builds upon what students learn from the lower grades. The basic skills start in K-2 and become more complex as the students progress to the higher grades. In K-2 students learn to start and exit programs as well as create, name and save files. In grades 3-5 students hone those skills and, in addition, learn to delete files. When they get to grades 6-8, they learn more complex tasks such as comparing, contrasting, processing and using primary and secondary storage devices.
I agree that early exposure is key! I have taught in areas where kids had no idea how to use a computer in its basic form. With the way technology is quickly growing and developing, students have to get a head start!
ReplyDeleteI think exposure is not a problem for the middle and upper class, but their is a digital divide with the poor. They do not have access to the most basic of technology, like email, and start at a great disadvantage to the wealthier students.
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