"Byte" Sized -- What Should the Kids Know How to Do? -- Computer Use

 Todays' blog post is the next post in a series of posts sharing the TL;DR information available in the Illinois Computer Literacy Knowledge and Skill Development Continuum adopted May 2022. In this  series, it is hoped that you will have a better understanding of what technology skills our students are expected to have at different grade levels. Of course, each student is different -- some will acquire these skills sooner than their peers; some will acquire them later. These are meant to be a guide for teachers. 

Computer literacy isn't just something that is taught in "computer class" by a "computer teacher." Because the use of computing devices impacts our students at school and at home, for school work, for socializing, and for fun or entertainment, computer literacy is something every educator needs to assist students with. It is my hope that by summarizing these skills for you, it will be easier for you to find ways to help students develop, refine, and retain the computer literacy skills they will need and use for the rest of their lives.

You can find the actual continuum here. What you will see in these posts and the linked spreadsheet are my interpretations and summaries.

Some of the things students are expected to be able to do include things like using icons and menus to access what they need, use shortcuts to make the most of their time on a computer, use gestures like swiping on hand-help devices, locate and use accessibility features when needed, and use help functions and online resources to do computer troubleshooting. Some of these things can be tricky for adults to do! Honestly, one of the best tricks out there for knowing how to do anything on a computer is simply knowing how to Google it! Can't remember what the keyboard shortcut is to copy and paste something? Google it! Can't remember what the difference is when you swipe left or right on an iPad? Google it!

For a more detailed breakdown, check out this spreadsheet, specifically the tab labeled, "Computer Use." Not sure how to accomplish these things with your students? Let me know! I would love to sit down with you and brainstorm ways to do this!

"Byte" Sized -- What Should the Kids Know How to Do? Computer Parts

 Todays' blog post is the start of a series of posts sharing the TL;DR information available in the Illinois Computer Literacy Knowledge and Skill Development Continuum adopted May 2022. In this  series, it is hoped that you will have a better understanding of what technology skills our students are expected to have at different grade levels. Of course, each student is different -- some will acquire these skills sooner than their peers; some will acquire them later. These are meant to be a guide for teachers. 

Computer literacy isn't just something that is taught in "computer class" by a "computer teacher." Because the use of computing devices impacts our students at school and at home, for school work, for socializing, and for fun or entertainment, computer literacy is something every educator needs to assist students with. It is my hope that by summarizing these skills for you, it will be easier for you to find ways to help students develop, refine, and retain the computer literacy skills they will need and use for the rest of their lives.

You can find the actual continuum here. What you will see in these posts and the linked spreadsheet are my interpretations and summaries.

Computer literacy, like anything else, has to start at the very beginning, and that means simply knowing the names of the parts of a computer and how to use those parts. This would include things such as

• Knowing what is meant by terms like screen, monitor, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, power button, volume button, power source, headphone port, USB port, home button, etc.
• Knowing how to turn a device on and off or put it to sleep.
• Using a mouse or a trackpad or a touchscreen to be able to navigate a screen, icons, and within an application or website (click links or buttons, scroll).

In general, these skills are considered beginning skills for the youngest learners. They need plenty of repetition and practice to learn the terms and physically manage the skills. However, by grade 3, all students should have these skills mastered. For a more detailed breakdown, check out this spreadsheet, specifically the tab labeled, "Computer Parts." Not sure how to accomplish these things with your students? Let me know! I would love to sit down with you and brainstorm ways to do this!