USD 250 works on technology curriculum |
It's difficult to grab a hold of something that's constantly changing shape. The Pittsburg USD 250 technology curriculum committee faced a similar challenge this year, trying to grasp the essentials of technology, a constantly changing field, and rolling it all into a consistent curriculum for district students. The committee, made up of administrators, library media specialists, teachers and technology staff, reached consensus earlier this school year on how to enhance technology throughout the district using national, state and local guidelines. USD 250 assistant superintendent Matthew Wendt said that the committee answered the bell and delivered on a strong curriculum that was also liquid enough to adjust as technology changes. USD 250 board of education members voted unanimously at Monday's meeting to support the new curriculum. The committee recommended three changes last spring. The first was to enhance the use of a Microsoft platform in technology classes, specifically in Pittsburg High School business courses. The committee also suggested restructuring technology course offerings at Pittsburg Community Middle School, adding computer technology to the sixth grade exploratory wheel. The third suggestion was to continue to enhance student "test out" procedures to include a Microsoft platform. The district also wanted to implement a comprehensive K-12 computer technology program so that students would be prepared to meet the Kansas Board of Regents requirements. Members of the committee said that it would be easier on teachers because they would know what level of technology incoming students had been exposed to. Each grade level has a specific set of standards and indicators to meet, as chosen by the committee. Requirements for students will be: * At the elementary level, students will be expected to learn: care and proper usage, terminology, keyboarding, word processing, multimedia, responsible and ethical use of computers, Internet searching and research and the use of cross-curricular software. All K-5 students will receive instruction through a scheduled computer technology class. Additionally, technology is integrated into the classroom setting across the curriculum. * At the middle school level, students will be expected to learn: advancement of K-5 skills, spreadsheets, databases, basic troubleshooting, multimedia and presentation software and different operating systems such as Macintosh and Windows. Students will initially experience computer technology as part of the sixth grade exploratory wheel. Elective classes will be offered at the seventh- and eighth-grade levels. * At the high school level, students will be expected to learn: advancement of K-8 skills, technology problem-solving, technology decision-making, and how to transfer electronic information. Career and technical programs at the high school will learn communication technology, computerized accounting, desktop publishing, drafting, photo imaging, production technology and video production technology. Students in grades 9-12 will have a wide variety of elective courses to expand their skills. Test out options are available for the course that meets the Kansas Board of Regents requirements. The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) November 18, 2005 |
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