Weird Richard News Update

Sent Date

03-23-02

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TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY UPDATE

A weekly newsletter for families and educators committed to
building brighter futures for kids in a technology-rich society.
THIS WEEK: K-2 Classroom Integration Strategies!!

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TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY THIS WEEK

Over the past three weeks we've been looking at classroom
integration strategies for grades 3 and up, focusing on the
"Big 3" enabling technologies (Spreadsheet, Word Processing,
and Presentation software). This week, we're going to take a
look at laying the groundwork with younger students in grades
K-2.

TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION STRATEGIES FOR K-2 STUDENTS

If you are working with younger students (K-2), your primary
focus needs to be on basic computer literacy skills including
recognition of basic computer components, basic operating system
functions, and basic keyboarding. These foundation skills need
to be in place first! Just as the Big 3 we discussed for older
students enable them to grow more technologically proficient,
these are the basic "enabling" technologies that younger
students need to get started!

TRY THIS IN YOUR CLASS OR HOME THIS WEEK!

Consider implementing the following regular activities for your
K-2 students if you have the resources to do so.

1) Schedule a regular period of time, at least twice a week,
that gets your students on a typing program. There are many
good ones available, including basic freeware if you can't
afford to purchase new software. Getting familiar with the
keyboard and emphasizing proper positioning, posture, and home
row key use is critical. Forming good habits now will pay off
huge dividends later.

2) Post simple posters explaining the nomenclature of computers
for your students to see. Make a point of explaining the
various components on a regular basis and reinforcing this
knowledge by pop quizzing your students throughout the week.
Offering a simple prize (a special eraser for example) for
correct answers will quickly get your students motivated to
know the correct names and functions of the monitor, keyboard,
etc. As your teaching year progresses, so too should the
concepts as you expand the terminology to include input and
output, peripheral devices, networks, etc. Have fun! Done
correctly, this approach integrates the technology right into
your regular teaching day and gets your students comfortable
with technical terminology with very little effort.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!

We hope that this week's newsletter has been useful to you in
your educational pursuits. In the coming weeks we will continue
to address additional methods of integration and special topics
related to technological literacy. Together, we can build a
brighter future for students around the world by preparing them
to use technology as naturally as they use a pencil and paper!

Until next week!

Technological Literacy Update