Week 13

(1) Foundations. The student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. The student is expected to:

(A) use technology terminology appropriate to the task;
(B) save and delete files, uses menu options and commands, and work with more than one software application;
(C) identify and describe the characteristics of digital input, processing, and output;
(D) delineate and make necessary adjustments regarding compatibility issues including, but not limited to, digital file formats and cross platform connectivity; and
(E) access remote equipment on a network such as a printer or other peripherals

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) Foundations. The student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. The student is expected to:

(A) use technology terminology appropriate to the task;

(B) start and exit programs as well as create, name, and save files; and

(C) use networking terminology such as on-line, network, or password and access remote equipment on a network such as a printer.

By the fourth grade, due to our society, I expect that my students will have some basic knowledge of technology already. But, my eldest son Christopher described to me that even as a Junior in high school, he was only an "amateur" at technology until he took a class specifically catering to students interested in technology, and only just learned how to "officially" use Web 2.0 tools. With my students in fourth grade, I plan to at least prepare them for more in-depth courses in coming years of their education and the future, making sure they know the basics of  how to use technology, and not be just throwing around a mouse to put together something sloppy. Hopefully they will leave my class with working knowledge of programs such as Microsoft Office, and maybe even some Web 2.0 tools.

Reflection: It is evident to me that TEKS has much catching up to do. While it wasn't hard to find something about technology, there was not much to offer. Just like in the judicial system, it seems that society has some catching up to do. Technology is becoming a huge part in our world and TEKS is lagging behind. A society that outpaces its' laws will not do well in the long run, and neither will those who do not stand on the side of progress.

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