When reviewing the technology TEKS for Pre-K students I find that the student will be able to do more than one might think. For instance they will be able to interact with and navigate through software and age appropriate websites. They will be able to use and operate input devices such as the mouse, keyboard, touch screen and voice/sound recorders. They will also be able to create and express their own ideas. Lastly and most important the Pre-K students will be able to learn new information while using technology. Learning while using technology will truly be the way of the future, if not today.
The TEKS for Pre-K lay a solid foundation for the students as the students will advance in their knowledge of technology. As the student get older their abilities will need to advance. They will not only be expected to know how to interact on a website, but how to search the Internet for meaningful information. They will also need to be able to create an appropriate presentation with the information found.
The TEKS spirals these objectives through-out the students public school career. For instance the ability to use various input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.) is an objective from Pre-K to the 5th grade. Being able to publish a printed copy, monitor display, Internet documents and a video is an objective from the 3rd grade to the 8th grade. With the TEKS objectives spiraling through over and again for multiple years this allows students to grasp the entire concept of that objective and to truly master it.
The great thing about the technology TEKS is that they can be implemented in all subject areas. These are not only taught in a computer or technology class. Technology is used in every class from math to English and many electives. This means the students have many opportunities to sharpen theirs skills and master all technology objectives.
Four year olds are amazing little sponges. They are able to grasp more information in a shorter period of time than almost any othr grade level. They are fully capable of manipulating hardware and software AND using the correct terminology. After teaching pre-K for 9 years, I've surprised many parents with the knowledge of what their four year old can do by themselves =)
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