When to start the technology learning process

For elementary school teachers...when do today's children start learning about computers and technology that they would use for the rest of their lives (especially Microsoft word, powerpoint, excel). Or are they simply taught at home?

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Permalink Reply by Garrison Daily on April 11, 2011 at 1:51pm

I teach computers in middle school and, with the exception of WORD, most of my students come to me without having had much experience with the key tools. So, I'm thinking elementary doesn't really address it and I know that most of the parents appear to be email literate, but that's about it.

Permalink Reply by Carol Mosley on April 11, 2011 at 2:05pm

I teach grades 1 - 5 and call my program "from mice to wikis" because, well - that's what we learn. Today for example, I had my 4th graders create a word document, insert a picture, create another page to write a two paragraph story and save it to their student folders on our student server. On Friday, we will upload the documents into our voicethread accounts and create a class story about their Gold Rush fieldtrip last week. We use learning.com's easytech program to make sure we hit all the NETS checkpoints so that students are able to have these tools "for the rest of their lives". Creating a word document, spreadsheet or slideshow should be second nature by the time the students leave 5th grade. Most students can easily navigate -- but there are always "holes" that need to be explicitly taught.

Permalink Reply by Derwin Kitch on April 11, 2011 at 7:48pm

I've taught internationally for the past 10 years and most schools start ICT with pre-school...just the basics and then progress through Grade 5. Regardless of where you start, it seems to me that they just "get it" in Grade 3. That seems to be when they fully grasp the concepts and are able to be more independent and troubleshoot on their own.

Permalink Reply by sharon sinclair on April 11, 2011 at 8:12pm

My 1st and 2nd grade students use Word, PowerPoint, & Excel but we also use OpenOffice's suite and GoogleDocs. I find that even at this young age they can handle learning how to use these apps with ease!

GoogleDocs (while not as robust as the Microsoft suite) offers a perfect entry into documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. We have one general gmail account for all of us and we all login under that account. Several kids can be working together on a project on different machines or everyone can be working on their own documents. My kids have even learned how to create forms which they can then post and have classmates and parents respond to. Today we used the spreadsheets to create Function Tables that would correct our Morning Math for us! I find kids log on at night from home and think it is "fun"!

We also pair up with a kindergarten class every year to help THEM become nerdier! My kids then get a chance to choose apps to teach them and then design a quick project and break down into steps what their little KinderTechs will need to be taught.

So, my firm belief is that it is NEVER too early to start 'em out! :)

Permalink Reply by Susan Marks on April 12, 2011 at 4:26am

I teach 3rd grade, we do not have a formal curriculum to teach the Microsoft programs, however, I like to integrated into my plans. Many of the 3rd graders are familiar with the basic how to's on a computer. With a little guidance they pick right up on the PowerPoint and Word programs. Those are the 2 I focus on. I start off simple and build throughout the year.

Permalink Reply by Debra on April 12, 2011 at 6:44am

I start teaching students in Kindergarten and work with elementary through fifth grade. My K's use KidPix, Kidspiration, Voice thread and Word. My other students use those plus Photo Peach, Inspiration, Animoto, Flip cameras, Capzles, Glogster, Power Point, Excel and more. TO view go to www.lower-school-lab.wikispaces.com

Permalink Reply by Kelly Ryan on April 12, 2011 at 9:06am

I guess my real question is, how are they being taught? are there special individual IT classes or are they just learning through various projects? I am only 24 years old, but I can remember the day when I was in 1st or 2nd grade and we had a class for about 40 minutes of just "playing" on a computer (whether it be learning to type, playing learning games, etc). Of course they were the old school HUGE computers and now-a-days technology is so advanced.

Also, how do teachers learn about new technology?

Permalink Reply by Garrison Daily on April 12, 2011 at 1:01pm

Kelly,

Your question cannot be answered. Every district (heck, every school) is different, don't you think? Just looking at the responses following mine, I could see that we're all over the place. Technology certainly hasn't become standardized.

Regarding teachers, I'd say that this is one of the best places to learn. This, and conferences. Tech changes so quickly, I don't think anyone can keep up with everything.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Ryan on April 12, 2011 at 1:50pm

totally agree. I just wanted to see what the general consensus was with regarding how school children are learning about technology. I just know from working with Microsoft that there are SO many products and useful services out there that even I didn't know about until after I graduated college and went to work for Microsoft. Had I had known in college, I could have finished assignments quicker and limited mistakes. Now I know this group is only elementary school, but that was so long ago for all of us (and since I'm not a teacher myself or have any kids, I really have no idea what today's elementary school kids are learning).

Permalink Reply by Debra on April 12, 2011 at 9:17am

Kelly, this question requires a more in-depth conversation. I'll direct message you my skype and email.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Ryan on April 12, 2011 at 9:18am

k thanks debra

Permalink Reply by Debra on April 12, 2011 at 9:19am

DM not working for some reason. dfinger@shipleyschool.org