Technological Standards, Learning Activity Lesson

Technological Standards

According to the core standards in technology, by the end of high school, students should know: 1) how to use technology, specifically the computer, for technical purposes and 2) as a resource for communication, obtaining information, creating solutions in all variety of formats, and practicing necessary life skills, such as creative and critical thinking skills.

The progression of technology achievement requirements is as follows:

1) By the end of Pre-K, students should be exposed to the computer and its basic function: turning it on and off, inserting CDs, opening the browser and the ability to navigate through it, using the keyboard and the recognition of its layout, experiencing how to take photos on a digital camera, and constantly using technology for interactive games or activities.

2) By the end of second grade, students should know how to demonstrate the use of the computer using specific terms and vocabulary, use the computer as a resource for depicting original ideas, stories, and solutions, as well as a communication tool to connect with other students. They should understand the importance and usage of citing resources.

3) By the end of fourth grade, students should know how to use the computer to create a more visual and multi-media oriented presentation of ideas and opinions as well as to analyze data. They should be involved in online discussions to learn and understand the problems other children around the world are facing. Finally, students need to be able to explain everyone's purpose in the society and why it is important "to practice cyber safety, cyber security, and cyber ethics." 

4) By the end of eighth grade, students should be able to create basic documents (i.e. flyers, etc.), share and publish their opinions on the Web, be a part in online communities to learn about problems around the world as well as the viewpoints others have about those issues, understand related topics to cyber use, and find information to support or oppose opinions.

5) By the end of twelfth grade, students should know how to create more complex documents (i.e. spreadsheets, charts, etc.), manipulate data through the use of mathematical functions, recognize the Internet as a life-long learning resource, create personalized digital portfolios for future career applications, using technology to create digital learning applications to offer solutions having gone through the process of evaluating resources and opinions of others and the collection of resources as support for their solutions. Students should also know where to search for valid resources and information.

Learning Activity Lesson

A learning activity that covers the technological standards in an eighth grade class would be to have the students pretend that they are docents in a group art show and are expected to present to the audience/viewers an art piece that they have extensive knowledge about. They would need to make a flyer with information about an artwork for the group show advertisement. A list with examples of artworks would be provided and students would need to pick one to research for information. They would need to research the historical factual information that would be put onto their flyers. Criticism on the artwork would be needed in the docent tour as they talk about their artwork. A minimum of five criticism is required. They would be shown which websites are suited to finding the appropriate resources and how to determine whether or not opinions are valid. 

In the next few lessons, students would be taught how to use programs on the computer to put together a presentation. After all the materials, research, and the formation of presentations are finished, parents would be invited to attend the mini group art show and students would present what they learned about their chosen artwork.