Meeting Grade Level Standards...

Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–11) Standards

The following experiences with technology and digital resources are examples of learning activities in which students might engage during Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-11):
1.

Produce a media-rich digital story about a significant local event based on first-person interviews. (1,2,3,4)
2. Use digital-imaging technology to modify or create works of art for use in a digital presentation. (1,2,6)
3. Recognize bias in digital resources while researching an environmental issue with guidance from the teacher. (3,4)
4. Select and apply digital tools to collect, organize, and analyze data to evaluate theories or test hypotheses. (3,4,6)
5. Identify and investigate a global issue and generate possible solutions using digital tools and resources (3,4)
6. Conduct science experiments using digital instruments and measurement devices. (4,6)
7. Conceptualize, guide, and manage individual or group learning projects using digital planning tools with teacher support. (4,6)
8. Practice injury prevention by applying a variety of ergonomic strategies when using technology. (5)
9. Debate the effect of existing and emerging technologies on individuals, society, and the global community. (5,6)
10.

Apply previous knowledge of digital technology operations to analyze and solve current hardware and software problems. (4,6)
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I actually enjoyed reading those standards. I think part of my uplifting feeling arrived after I realized that I'm actually hitting a couple of these in the best way I can given my knowledge, skills and resources. I have done a couple of webquests with my students and saw the power of using computer resources to conceptualize and synthesize information. There is no way we could have reached a depth of knowledge and understanding had we explored this information in straight paper, pencil, text book.

I still have a long way to go. There were two key standards that caught my attention that I will focus on this year...and years to come. The first is using digital/computer resources to explore global issues. Using Google Earth, last weekend opened up so many possible learning opportunities for me and my student. One great gap in third grade social studies is getting students to understand the difference between city, state, country and continient. What an amazing way to use this new tool...

Eager to try it, I went into the computer lab and tried to download the application. I recieved what I have gotten many times over. I need a password. This means a work order needed to be placed. District Tech Support let me know it'd be about 3 months til they get to it. Sigh. Breathe deep. Sometimes that's the best we can do. Know what I mean? In the mean time, there's a whole world of wiki's and webquests to leap into.