Technology Applications TEKS

The Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS lay the foundation for future learning. The child is expected to learn how to start and exit programs, use a variety of basic input devices, use basic technology terminology, operate programs successfully by following oral or pictoral cues, interact with electronic text such as storybooks, and use a variety of software programs to enhance learning. (Technology Applications Student Standards for EC-12: Prekindergarten Guidelines and K-12 TEKS, 2005)

These TEKS lay the foundation for learning in the future grades because they help the child become familiar with the basis parts of a computer and the process of operating one. They also provide the child with an introduction to how important technology is to their learning. (Technology Applications Student Standards for EC-12: Prekindergarten Guidelines and K-12 TEKS, 2005)

There are many examples in the Technology Applications TEKS of how they are a scaffolded, spiraling curriculum. Students have multiple opportunities throughout their schooling to master the skills. Take the Foundations strand, for example: This begins in Pre-K when the student is first introduced to the parts of the computer, technical terminology, and starting and exiting programs. In K-2, the student is expected to build on these skills by being able to produce and edit products, save, and print. They also build their vocabulary and use more input devices. In 3-5, the student builds on these skills even further by being timed on their production, being able to delete files, and knowing how to access files on a network. Their vocabulary also continues to expand. In 6-8, the student is still expected to do all of the same things, but they must show greater understanding by being able to compare and contrast input, output, and storage devices; analog and digital systems; and LANs, WANs, internet, and intranet. They must also develop and exhibit more specific keyboarding and grammatical skills, such as one space after punctuation and dashes. Finally, in grades 9-12 the student is expected to continue to build on these skills. They must do all of the same things, but also use information to select software and digital formats appropriate to their tasks, understand programming languages, and use much more diverse input devices to produce their products (including touch-screen, voice recorders, etc). (Technology Applications Student Standards for EC-12: Prekindergarten Guidelines and K-12 TEKS, 2005)

Technology Applications Student Standards for EC-12: Prekindergarten Guidelines and K-12 TEKS. (2005). Texas Education Agency. Retrieved from
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/ta/stustd.html.