The technology education standards rationale was developed in 1997.  Due to advances in technology, Educators and administrators are realizing that students need to learn more about technology in school because technology is improving, changing and becoming more advanced every year.  The Revision Committee examined National and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:State> standards and researched business and technology skills.  They then decided to develop standards for children to achieve in the classroom in order to become well-informed, successful students in the world of technology.

The standards for the grades I am most interested in teaching (K-3) are basic, however they are very important skills for students to attain.  Standard 1 states: students must be able to understand operations/functions or technology systems.  Kindergarten students must be able to identify technology components such as the mouse, keyboard and related items such as a CD player, Grades 1-3 must be able to use the keyboard, print, and use access information sources.  Standard 2 states: Students must understand social, ethical, and human issues related to using technology in daily life and demonstrate responsibility.  Kindergarteners must be able to show respect for other students when using technology (take turns), and be responsible (no drinks near technology or banging on the keys) Grades 1-3 must be able to describe and practice responsibility for technology (such as positive and negative affects of it.)  Standard 3 states: Students must be able to use technology to enhance learning (using models and other creative works.)  Kindergarten students must be able to use a drawing program while students in grades 1-3 must be able to use word processing, add graphics onto them, and create videos or slideshows.  Standard 4 states: Students should be able to collaborate, publish and interact with peers using telecommunications and media.  Kindergarten has none of these standards but grades 1-3 must be able to communicate electronically with assistance of adults, and plan, design and present an academic product to the classroom (such as drawings and story illustrations.)  Standard 5 states: Students will utilize technology-based research tools & collect information pertinent to task as well as evaluating and analyzing the information.  Kindergarten students do not have these standards but students in grades 1-3 must be able to identify potential information sources (such as in web pages or video.)  Standard 6 states: Students must use technology to make and support decisions in the process of solving real-world problems.  Kindergarten classes do not have these standards but grades 1-3 must be able to use technology to collect, interpret and express a solution to a problem (for example: a WebQuest.) 

I feel I will be able to teach most of these standards to these age groups, but there are some parts of the standards that I will need to be trained and assisted in, in order to learn the correct way to provide my students with knowledge about technology. I believe some of my weak areas in technology are knowing how use certain creative programs, and I do not know all parts of a computer that some standards listed so I will need to learn that and help my children care about it and apply it to their daily lives.  To learn more about the information I will need to instruct my students on, I will ask others and take technology workshops and courses. 

Graphic citation: www.doh.state.fl.us/<WBR>chdcolumbia/computer.gif