Foundations of Technology starting in the Pre-K

Many of you may be just as shocked to hear (as I was) that there at TEKS for technology in Pre-K. That’s right, at the age when children are learning to share their toys, wash their hands and not to wee in their pants, they are also learning how to open and navigate through software programs, learn how to name all the parts of a computer and its input devices, operate sound/voice recorders, operate touch screens, use software, and be able to realize that they can find information through technology.

This may seem a bit overwhelming but as I look back at my own son’s experience with Pre-K and technology I realize that it’s not any different than trying to teach your kids how to play Hi-Ho Cheerio or CandyLand. Pre-Kers use programs such as Reader Rabbit or JumpStart to not only learn shapes and colors they also learn how to use a mouse and how to start a program. Recording or listening to a story on a computer is no different from when we used to listen to books on tape as children. Now some may say that operating a touch screen is a bit much but I believe it is the best first step to take maybe, even easier than learning how to use a mouse. Software such as the ones above also have programs built in for kids to create their own pictures or express themselves with music. Some may feel that technology is being pushed down their throats but in reality, it is preparing them for school and the real world.

The Pre-K technology requirements lay the foundation for student performance just like the regular Pre-K curriculum lays a foundation. Society has chosen to give our kids a leg up on school by providing an opportunity to prepare for school without the pressure of having to “pass” to the next grade level. The technology TEKS for Pre-K do just the same.

This brings up the point of spiraling or scaffolding. The technology TEKS are based on a scaffolding system. One example where this is evident is in the Technology Application Strand Solving Problems. It starts in TEKS 7(ABC) with the basics of USING software programs with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning experiences in the elementary levels and develops into TEKS 7(A-J) in middle school. Which cover topics including but not limited to using software, creating and editing word processing and spreadsheet documents, creating databases, and now CREATING multimedia documents incorporating text, audio, video and graphics. It then builds further in the high school level by separating into different computer classes including Computer Science I and II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, and Web Mastery. Which each have TEKS associated with various methods of dealing with text, audio, video and graphics.