Please comment here on what you think might need revising. Things to consider are as follows:
- Are there items that need rewording? How would you revise these items?
- Are there items that need to be moved to a different grade level? If so, what grade level?
- Are there adjustments that should be made in the mastery level for an item for a grade level?
- Are there items that should be deleted altogether? Which ones?
- Are there things missing that should be added? If so, what should be added?
- Other things you can think of?
12 comments:
I am looking at the standards primarily at the 2nd grade level. I think that 1.1 (2nd indicator) could be raised up to mastery. I feel this way because the students have the same username and password since Kindergarten and it is stated as “developing basic computer operations”.
Looking at 4.3, I think that this one should be at the introduction level. “Making a graph or table to sort and understand information” is a skill that is more difficult and the students will need more time to develop this in order for it to be used in a variety of ways.
In 1.3, it has interactive books as one of the examples. Do we have these? I know that we used to have software but the last time I was able to use it was prior to the change over of the server. Should we eliminate this part?
I am looking at grades 5 and 6 primarily. Under 3.3 "Make presentations using tech..." only Power Point is listed. Perhaps Photoshop Elements, Picasa, Movie Maker...could be added. Then of course, the level woul be introduced or developed.
3.2 indicates that the students use e mail here at school when in fact they don't. Perhaps we should take that out.
I am thinking that the math web sites could be added?
Basically, these Performance Indicators were developed a number of years ago. So many so that Kidergarten and first grades didn't even have a scheduled time in the computer labs at that time. Looking over these, I feel that they are, for the most part, outdated. Especially since staff in the district are trying to integrate technology more into the classrooms the students are learning more at an earlier age. Also, as far as making presentations using technology, i.e Power Points, at the time that was the coolest thing. But now we already have students using Movie Maker and making pod casts to do a presentions. Making sure they know how to use Power Point is important stuff and should still be a part of the standards, but maybe at a earlier grade level. Some software applications that are mentioned in the standards, especially Tables in Word in and Microsoft Excel, for the most part haven't really been explored by the students. They should probably stay where they are as far as grade level introduction, developed and mastery. I'd like to see more of that done in the labs. All in all, I think the Standards need to be looked at and changed or tweeked just a bit.
In regards to 1.1: developing skills in basic computer operations, the keyboarding and mouse skills I agree belong to "introduced". If the different aspects of operations could be separated out, I would say that logging on and logging off should at least be at the "developed" stage. (I can see where that separation would not necessarily be preferred, though, given the heading.)
First of all, I agree with the earlier postings of things being outdated and some needing to be moved to developed from introduced. Specifically, in first grade 4.3 making a graph or table is something I haven't done and would need more support with. I believe it was introduced to us last year with excel but teachers who are not part of our committee might need support with this one as well.
As I looked at the first page - the standards for ALL students, these read like exit outcomes to me. the wording is off here somehow. It starts with "students of all grade levels K-12 will..." To say a Kindergartener will "use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts and other audiences" seems a bit much!!
Reviewing these brings questions to mind. Why are we not assessing or at least using checklists to document these standards for students? How are we holding teachers accountable for teaching to these standards? Can we come up with better ways to support teachers as they try to meet these standards ie. standardized lessons etc...
Because I work with grades 1, 2, and 3 in a supportive role, I don't feel that I can fairly comment on the appropriateness of items in particular grade levels or potential adjustments to expectations. Rather, as I was reviewing the standards, I tuned into the wording of each section for grades K-3. In section 1.1, floppy disks are listed as an example of way to save information...if I can remember correctly, at our last new staff seminar on technology, it was mentioned that floppy disks should be removed from our collection of data saving pieces...should we remove that as an example from the standards then too? Under 3.2, can we provide the additional examples of 'podcasts & blogs' to 'share information with others while using data networks and telecommunications (email with class, class web page)'? Other than those two minor suggestions, things look good!
I feel at kind of a loss as to what should be moved or added. I rarely get an opportunity to work with students on the computer. I agree with the comments posted so far. I work primarily with 5 and 6 grade students and I have had the opportunity to do some podcasting with them. I believe that poding casting might be a good addition to 3.3, at the introduction/developed stage. I also agree with Terri that although we have these standards, are we held accountable? And if so, in what way? A checklist might be a great idea. (At least it would be a way to track what was "taught".) One area I feel is appropriate in the stardards, but I'm not seeing the developed /mastery level in at 5 & 6 grade is keyboarding skills. Many, many students are still very unfamiliar with the keyboard and it takes then an inordinate amount of time to produce written work or navigate a site. How can we improve this? Any ideas?
I think who is suppose to teach these standards is just as important as what standards and concepts are being taught.
I also agree with what many others wrote now that students have the opportunity to use the computer lab at a younger age and also have more access at home the standards will need to be re-looked at and updated and technology and knowledge grows and improves.
After reviewing the performance indicators for grades 4-6, I was surprised at how much the sixth graders will have mastered by the end of the year. One question I was thinking about as I was going through each one, was that there was nothing really about keyboarding skills. Are they required to have some knowledge of where the letters are located on the keyboard? I know I still see many of them doing the "look and peck" method. Do we still require them to use Type to Learn or another similar program? I also agree with Terri that some sort of assessment or checklist would be a good idea since each teacher may be working on something completely different. This would ensure that teachers made sure they covered what they needed to and you would have a better idea of what each student had already covered. Lorie
A lot of interesting comments have been posted so far...I agree, that some of the standards are outdated and need to be revisited--that's typical of technology today--always getting updated and/or getting better! The use of floppy disks is almost non-existent these days--so yes, that indicator needs some rewording or deletion!
I'm not sure I agree with the need for another kind of assessment. (I'm only "speaking" as a primary grade teacher.) I'll have to think more about this--I know some kind of accountability is needed, but I also know we have a great deal of assessments right now.
As I looked at the K-3 performance indicators and skills, I felt like many of the indicators were fair and "right on". Primary classes (expecially K-1) spend a great deal of time in the beginning of the year teaching students how to log on, using their own ID and school password. However, they are also capable of so many things when it comes to technology! My class never ceases to amaze me with their knowledge and ability to "teach" others when it comes to technology, so perhaps some of the indicators could be "brought down" to the primary level--at least as an "introduced" indicator.
The comments that have been posted in response to the post are great thoughts and updates to the old technology standards. I have two thoughts:
1) There is a lot of information on the Internet that students take at face value. It would be helpful for students to learn when and how to question their Internet research.
2) For the intermediate elementary standards add that students will cite the Internet sources they use for research.
I appreciate standard #4. To me, this is the area where many educators are not taking advantage of technology. Many of us are still stuck in the 'old' paradigm of utilizing technology at the end of learning. I think that we sell our students' capabilities short in this area, when in reality, students are becoming more and more adept with the use of technology.
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