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Technology and the 4Cs...*Creativity*Communication*Collaboration*Critical Thinking
Students in grades K - 8 use computer technology in school for many educational activities. Incorporating Massachusetts Standards, National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS) and 21st century computer skills, computer class activities revolve around using computers to produce, research, collaborate, and communicate using available technology tools. Creativity and critical thinking activities are also an important part of the computer (instructional technology) curriculum.
In computer class, our younger students start off with exploring and practicing skills in becoming better digital citizens. The students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd start with introductions to Apple desktops, laptops and ipads, moving from mouse and keyboard skills, to use with text and image programs ( KidPix, word processing, Type to Learn Jr, Type to Learn4). Presentation activities, such as a group story and individual slide shows, promote collaboration and creativity in these grades.
Grades 3 - 8 visit the Windows computer lab as a weekly Unified Arts class. The focus of 3rd and 4th include digital citizenship, keyboard and word processing comptency, Internet navigation and safety, and teacher-designated online tools (Glogster, GoogleDocs for 4th). GoogleEarth and digital image programs (Paint, Photoshop) invite many creative and collaborative activities. Third floor students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 continue learning skills and practices in the areas of presentation, keyboarding, research and appropriate and ethical use of Internet services (copyright, citation of sources, web site evaluation, web tools, safety, digital footprint). 7th and 8th graders use creative programs for projects and assignments, - such as MovieMaker, Scratch, Adobe Photoshop. Computer Science ("learning to code") was introduced this year to these grades in the Learn to Code initiative.
click here to visit K-2 EdTech/Computer