Re: Wanted: Ideas for teaching tech to K-8

Fred Schouten (fschoute@mail.isbe.state.il.us)
Thu, 4 Jul 1996 22:36:58 EDT

Bernie Wilson wrote:
>I'm looking for ideas for teaching tech to K-8.
>For example, I want to teach 3rd grade keyboarding
>and wordprocessing. For 4th grade I would teach
>wordprocessing and HyperStudio. The 5th graders
>would do HyperStudio and ClarisWorks. Any ideas
>and/or feedback would be appreciated.

I sould suggest that you find ways to teach writing, math, science, social
studies, fine arts, etc. to the students. First, decide shat is important
for all students to know and be able to do (i.e., the outcomes of their
learning). Then, decide how you want them to learn. Then, decide what types
of learning content and activities are done better using technology tools.
Finally, develop your curriculum around these ideas.

If you do this, I think you'll be much more pleased with your results than
if you merely identify a few applications to teach, and try to develop
activities around the applications.

In other words:
1. Teach kids.
2. Teach content and skills to kids.
3. Teach content and skills to kids using technology tools.

Fred

===========================================================================
| J. Fred Schouten, Ed.D. |http://web.isbe.state.il.us/peohs|
| Director of Curriculum and Technology | fschoute@mail.isbe.state.il.us |
| Peotone Unit District #207U |---------------------------------|
| Peotone, Illinois, USA 60468 | Phone: 708-258-3236 |
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