INTRODUCTION

  The goal of the Midland Elementary Schools’ technology literacy curriculum is to provide students with the technology skills necessary for becoming productive citizens in a technological world.  Students need to learn to operate computers and their peripherals and use software applications both as instructional aides and production tools. This curriculum guide introduces keyboarding and technology literacy skills in a sequential program appropriate for the students’ physical and conceptual development spiraling from kindergarten through grade six.

  Keyboarding skills, technology literacy skills, and engaged learning opportunities are the three components of this curriculum. These three strands are woven together to promote the use of technology as a tool for learning and support technology literacy for all Midland elementary students.

  Keyboarding is the term used today to refer to touch-typing, special key functions, use of the mouse, and numerical operations. Students learn proper key-reaching techniques to build speed and accuracy. These keyboarding skills provide the student with knowledge of correct finger placement and the choice of an automatic response when typing on a keyboard or using other input devices, enabling the efficient use of computers and related equipment. Our goal is to produce students with keyboarding skills that will increase their productivity and contribute to positive technology applications in all academic areas.

  Technology literacy skills are a set of life skills that will enable students to use electronic tools effectively and efficiently. These life skills will enable students to become proficient users of technology by understanding the basic computer technology and applications. Acquisition of these skills enables students to make informed decisions about technologies and their applications. Technologies may include multimedia software, CD-ROM, digital camera, video camera, Internet software application, scanner, VCR, calculator, and tape recorder. Our goal is to prepare students to use these tools effectively by learning how to select technology appropriate for the task, use it efficiently, evaluate results, and communicate information in different formats.

  Engaged learning creates much wider learning opportunities for our students by permitting them to become active participants engaged in knowledge building activities through direct exploration, expression, and experience. They will become strategic learners who can apply and transfer knowledge to solve problems and make connections. Tasks will be interactive, cooperative, authentic, and multidisciplinary tasks. Students will be responsible for their own learning by becoming collaborators in the pursuit and creation of knowledge. Our goal is to foster more student interaction, more connections among schools, and more collaboration among teachers and students, and provide more opportunities for students to become more actively engaged in their learning.