Computer/Technology skills are essential components of every student’s education. In order to maximize opportunities for students to acquire necessary skills for academic success, the teaching of these skills should be the shared responsibility of teachers of all disciplines.

Minimum skills that students should acquire by the end of Grade 5 include the following:

C/T5.1

The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of computer theory, including bits, bytes, and binary logic.

C/T5.2

The student will develop basic technology skills.

• Develop a basic technology vocabulary that includes cursor, software, memory, disk drive, hard drive, and CD-ROM.
• Select and use technology appropriate to tasks.
• Develop basic keyboarding skills.
• Operate peripheral devices.
• Apply technologies to strategies for problem solving and critical thinking.

The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.

• Use search strategies to retrieve electronic information using databases, CD-ROMs, videodiscs, and telecommunications.
• Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs.
• Use local and wide-area networks and modem-delivered services to access information from electronic databases.
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of various computer processing, storage, retrieval, and transmission techniques.

The student will communicate through application software.

• Create a 1-2 page document using word processing skills, writing process steps, and publishing programs.
• Use simple computer graphics and integrate graphics into word-processed documents.
• Create simple databases and spreadsheets to manage information and create reports.
• Use local and worldwide network communication systems.

Computer/Technology skills are essential components of every student's education. In order to maximize opportunities for students to acquire necessary skills for academic success, the teaching of these skills should be the shared responsibility of teachers of all disciplines.

Minimum skills that students should acquire by the end of Grade 8 include the following:

C/T8.1

The student will communicate through application software.

• Compose and edit a multi-page document at the keyboard, using word processing skills and the writing process steps.
• Communicate spreadsheets by entering data and setting up formulas, analyzing data, and creating graphs or charts to visually represent data.
• Communicate with databases by defining fields and entering data, sorting, and producing reports in various forms.
• Use advanced publishing software, graphics programs, and scanners to produce page layouts.
• Integrate databases, graphics, and spreadsheets into word-processed documents.

The student will communicate through networks and telecommunication.

• Use local and worldwide network communication systems.
• Develop hypermedia "home page" documents that can be accessed by worldwide networks.

The student will have a basic understanding of computer processing, storing, retrieval, and transmission technologies and a practical appreciation of the relevant advantages and disadvantages of various processing, storage, retrieval, and transmission technologies.

C/T8.4

The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.

• Use search strategies to retrieve electronic information.
• Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs to retrieve and select relevant information.
• Use laser discs with a computer in an interactive mode.

• Use local and wide-area networks and modem-delivered services to access and retrieve information from electronic databases.
• Use databases to perform research.

The Computer/Technology Standards by the End of Grades Five and Eight identify technology skills for improving student learning through the integration of technology across the curriculum. Mastery of these skills results in students who are both computer literate and competent in the application of technology tools to support their learning needs. In grades nine through twelve, technology continues to be integrated across the curriculum. The goal is that students in these grades achieve a higher level of mastery in the application of technology in their learning. The following standards identify essential skills for the student’s appropriate use of existing and emerging technology tools for communication,
productivity, management, research, problem-solving, and decision making.

C/T12.1 The Student will demonstrate a basic understanding of fundamental computer operations and concepts.
 

• Successfully operate a multimedia computer system with related peripheral devices.

• Demonstrate touch-typing skills in computer use.

• Use terminology related to computers and technology appropriately in written and oral communications.

• Describe how imaging devices may be used with computer systems.

• Describe how computers may be connected to form a telecommunication network.

• Analyze and solve simple hardware and software problems

•  Identify new and emerging technologies.

C/T12.2 The student will use application software to accomplish a variety of learning tasks.
 

• Use advanced features of word processing, desktop publishing, graphics programs, and utilities in learning  activities.

• Use spreadsheets for analyzing, organizing and displaying numeric data graphically.

• Design and manipulate databases and generate customized reports.

• Use features of applications that integrate word processing, database, spreadsheet, telecommunication, and graphics.

• Identify, select, and integrate video and digital images in varying formats for creating multi-media presentations, publications and/or other products.

• Select, evaluate, and use appropriate technology for research and data collection.

• Apply specific-purpose electronic devices (such as, a graphing calculator, scientific probeware, or multi-function keyboards) in appropriate content areas.

C/T12.3 The student will develop skills in the use of telecommunications networks.
 

• Use local, wide area and worldwide network communication systems to access, analyze, interpret, and synthesize information.

• Compare and contrast the use of local area networks, wide area networks and worldwide networks.

• Access and use telecommunications tools and resources for information sharing, remote information access and retrieval, and multi-media/hypermedia publishing.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of broadcast instruction, audio/video conferencing, and other distance learning applications.

• Explain legal, personal safety, network etiquette, and ethical behaviors regarding the use of technology and information.

C/T12.4 The student will demonstrate skill in the selection and use of appropriate technologies to gather, process and analyze data and to report information related to an investigation.
 

• Design and use a wide range of effective search strategies to acquire information.

• Use a wide variety of electronic media and databases to search for and retrieve information.

• Evaluate the usefulness, appropriateness, currency, and reliability of acquired information.

• Select appropriate technology for communicating information for an intended purpose and audience.

• Utilize a variety of media and resources in collaboration with peers, experts, and other to design a learning activity and/or presentation.

• Appropriately cite electronic resources in gathering information.

• Apply Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines in reporting information.