Computer Technology – Course Overview

Knowledge of, and proficiency in, the use of Information Technology (computers) in today’s business and educational environment, has become as necessary to students as basic core curriculum subject matter. As such, it is imperative that students are exposed to the technology and begin developing their proficiency in its use, at the earliest stages of their educational experience and development. To this end, many educational institutions provide both structured and integrated instruction in Computer Technology to all their students, from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, in age and grade appropriate increments. As students progress through their primary, elementary and middle school (Junior High) education, computer instruction becomes more advanced, and is extended and integrated into the rest of the basic core curriculum.

In the Primary Grades (Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 1), students are provided with structured and “laddered” instruction, designed to introduce them to, and prepare them for the use of computers as a learning tool, as they explore their educational experience, and the psychomotor domain of learning.

During their elementary years (Grades 2 through 4), students are provided with structured and “laddered” instruction, designed to provide them with general skills and proficiency, in the use of basic software applications and research strategies and tools, for the use of computers as a productivity tool, as they begin to experience the cognitive domain of learning, and exercise and demonstrate the extent of their learning experience, through the communication of their knowledge and understanding.

The Middle School (Junior High) experience (Grades 5 through 8), provides students with the opportunity to refine their technology skills, learn about additional software applications and exercise their creative talents, for the use of computers as a research, creative and communication tool, as they delve into the affective domain of learning, expression, analysis and synthesis.

Designed as a continuing, life-long educational process, adapted and tailored to age and grade appropriateness, as well as the continuing evolution of the technology, the following course overview provides for the full range of students from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Each grade level of students is provided with tailored instruction, consistent with their demonstrated ability to consume the information and demonstrate the necessary skills proficiency.

I.      Computer Readiness (Primary Grades)

A.     Hardware component identification

B.     Mouse familiarity & fundamental usage

C.     Keyboard familiarity & fundamental usage

D.     Internet introduction & terminology

II.      Keyboarding Skills (All Grades)

III.      Basic Computer Literacy (All Grades)

A.     Computer concepts & basic history

B.     Computer terminology

C.     Removable media

IV.      PC Health (Grades 4-8)

A.     Operating System updates, security patches, service packs, critical updates

B.     Anti-Virus software, definition updates, system scans, media scans

C.     System tools

1.      Disk Clean-Up

2.      Temporary Internet files

3.      Cookies

4.      History

5.      Disk de-fragmentation

6.      Disk Doctor/Disk repair

V.      Operating Systems (Grades 4-8)

A.     Disk Operating System (DOS)

B.     Windows (3.x, 95, 98, 98 SE, CE, ME, NT, 2000 Pro, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003)

VI.      Application Software (Grades 4-8)

A.     Games

B.     Web Browsing

C.     Time Management & Electronic Communication (E-mail)

D.     Word Processing

E.      Spreadsheet

F.      Presentation

G.     Desktop Publishing

H.     Database

I.        Web Design, Development & Management

The course content in the preceding overview is not intended to create “experts” in computer technology, but rather to provide an exposure to all of the necessary facets to develop proficient computer users, in preparation for life-long applicability to everyday routine tasks and working life preparedness.