Creating a Technology Course
When I was hired at Toledo School for the Arts four years ago, I was so excited about the possibilities of working in a one-to-one iPad school. I was blown away by the idea that I would not need to make another copy and the students would be able to complete all their work on an iPad, even math! Since then I have embraced the use of technology in all of my classes. I am constantly looking for new and exciting ways to do things.
One conversation has come up time and time again. That conversation was about how our students need to learn some basic things about computers. The English teachers would like students to be able to type using home row and they would also like the students to learn more about researching on the internet effectively. The technology department would like students to be able to troubleshoot basic problems when using the computers in the lab as well as the requirement that they complete a digital driver's license.
This conversation got me thinking about how our school has always been ahead of educational technology and we seemed to be dropping the ball when it came to teaching our students basic computer skills. I decided to do a little research to find out what the students already knew about technology and what the parents and teachers felt they should learn while at school. I used a Google Form to create a skills assessment for the students to fill out. They answered questions selecting the things they could successfully complete on a computer. I also used Google Forms to create a needs assessment for the parents and teachers to fill out. They were asked to choose the topics they thought should definitely be included in a technology course.
By: Katie Gill