§126.3. Technology Applications, Grades 3-5.
(a) Introduction.
(1) The technology applications curriculum has four strands: foundations,
information acquisition, work in solving problems, and communication.
(2) Through the study of technology applications foundations, including technology-related
terms, concepts, and data input strategies, students learn to make informed
decisions about technologies and their applications. The efficient acquisition
of information includes the identification of task requirements; the plan
for using search strategies; and the use of technology to access, analyze,
and evaluate the acquired information. By using technology as a tool that
supports the work of individuals and groups in solving problems, students
will select the technology appropriate for the task, synthesize knowledge,
create a solution, and evaluate the results. Students communicate information
in different formats and to diverse audiences. A variety of technologies will
be used. Students will analyze and evaluate the results.
(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) 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.
(2) Foundations. The student uses data input skills appropriate to
the task. The student is expected to:
(A) use a variety of input devices such as mouse, keyboard, disk drive, modem,
voice/sound recorder, scanner, digital video, CD-ROM, or touch screen;
(B) use proper keyboarding techniques such as correct hand and body positions
and smooth and rhythmic keystroke patterns;
(C) demonstrate touch keyboarding techniques for operating the alphabetic,
numeric, punctuation, and symbol keys as grade-level appropriate;
(D) produce documents at the keyboard, proofread, and correct errors;
(E) use language skills including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, word
division, and use of numbers and symbols as grade-level appropriate; and
(F) demonstrate an appropriate speed on short timed exercises depending upon
the grade level and hours of instruction.
(3) Foundations. The student complies with the laws and examines the
issues regarding the use of technology in society. The student is expected
to:
(A) follow acceptable use policies when using computers; and
(B) model respect of intellectual property by not illegally copying software
or another individual's electronic work.
(4) Information acquisition. The student uses a variety of strategies
to acquire information from electronic resources, with appropriate supervision.
The student is expected to:
(A) apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information
including keyword and Boolean search strategies; and
(B) select appropriate strategies to navigate and access information on local
area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), including the Internet
and
intranet, for research and resource sharing.
(5) Information acquisition. The student acquires electronic information
in a variety of formats, with appropriate supervision. The student is expected
to:
(A) acquire information including text, audio, video, and graphics; and
(B) use on-line help and documentation.
(6) Information acquisition. The student evaluates the acquired electronic
information. The student is expected to:
(A) apply critical analysis to resolve information conflicts and validate
information;
(B) determine the success of strategies used to acquire electronic information;
and
(C) determine the usefulness and appropriateness of digital information.
(7) Solving problems. The student uses appropriate computer-based productivity
tools to create and modify solutions to problems. The student is expected
to:
(A) use software programs with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning
experiences;
(B) use appropriate software to express ideas and solve problems including
the use of word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, simulations,
and multimedia; and
(C) use a variety of data types including text, graphics, digital audio, and
video.
(8) Solving problems. The student uses research skills and electronic
communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge. The
student is expected to:
(A) use communication tools to participate in group projects;
(B) use interactive technology environments, such as simulations, electronic
science or mathematics laboratories, virtual museum field trips, or on-line
interactive lessons, to manipulate information; and
(C) participate with electronic communities as a learner, initiator, contributor,
or mentor.
(9) Solving problems. The student uses technology applications to facilitate
evaluation of work, both process and product. The student is expected to:
(A) use software features, such as on-line help, to evaluate work progress;
and
(B) use software features, such as slide show previews, to evaluate final
product.
(10) Communication. The student formats digital information for appropriate
and effective communication. The student is expected to:
(A) use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products
are appropriate for the defined audience;
(B) use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products
are appropriate for the communication media including multimedia screen displays,
Internet documents, and printed materials; and
(C) use appropriate applications including, but not limited to, spreadsheets
and databases to develop charts and graphs by using data from various sources.
(11) Communication. The student delivers the product electronically
in a variety of media, with appropriate supervision. The student is expected
to:
(A) publish information in a variety of media including, but not limited to,
printed copy, monitor display, Internet documents, and video; and
(B) use presentation software to communicate with specific audiences.
(12) Communication. The student uses technology applications to facilitate
evaluation of communication, both process and product. The student is expected
to:
(A) select representative products to be collected and stored in an electronic
evaluation tool;
(B) evaluate the product for relevance to the assignment or task; and
(C) create technology assessment tools to monitor progress of project such
as checklists, timelines, or rubrics.
Source: The provisions of this §126.3 adopted to be effective September
1, 1998, 22 TexReg 5203.