Woodbury Public Schools Technology Junior and Senior High

TECHNOLOGY MISSION STATEMENT:

Students are growing up in a digital age where the use of technology is as essential as reading and writing. Through the use of technology students have a greater chance of becoming innovative problem solvers who can create opportunities for themselves.

In keeping with today’s society, technological literacy has been further emphasized by its inclusion as a separate standards area which focuses on both computer and information literacy and technology education

All students must understand and be comfortable with the concepts and application of technology not only in order to function in today’s complex society but also to become informed and productive adults of tomorrow.

In order to address these concerns, it is the mission of the Technology Department of the Woodbury Public Schools,* to prepare students to successfully integrate technology into their personal, academic, and professional futures.

Technology definition as it applies to WHS:

Technology is humans using objects (tools, machines, systems, and materials) to change the natural and human-made (built) environment. Technology is conscious, purposeful actons by people designed to extend human ability or potential to do work.

Supporting Goals, and Benchmarks of The Technology Department of The Junior/Senior High School

1. Students understand and appropriately use a variety of technology tools including hardware and system software.

Rationale

Technology tools are an integral part of students’ learning and are widely used in education, the workplace, and everyday life. Technology systems are comprised of a variety of
interconnected hardware components and software. By understanding these components and their interaction, students will be able to apply technology in an appropriate and productive manner.

Supporting Goals
In order to meet this standard, students will:
• identify and use the hardware components of technology systems.
• understand and use system software.

Benchmarks

6-8
As students in 6-8 extend their knowledge, what they know and/or are able to do includes:
• proficiency in keyboarding skills using the touch type method;
• identifying and using hardware components as appropriate to curricular tasks;
• demonstrating proper care and safe use of hardware;
• expanding troubleshooting skills;
• understanding and operating system software to manage storage devices, files, and system memory;
• selecting and using hardware and system software appropriately; and
• an awareness of ethical issues in technology.

9-12
As students in 9-12 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:
• understanding and operating system software appropriate to the curricular task;
• identifying and using hardware components as appropriate to curricular tasks;
• demonstrating proper care and safe use of hardware;
• troubleshooting ;
• an awareness of ethical issues in technology; and
• demonstrating keyboarding skills in the use of software applications.

2. Students appropriately select and utilize a variety of software applications to enhance, facilitate and improve learning and productivity.

Rationale
In all curricular areas, the use of appropriate software applications can be an effective and efficient means for meeting individual needs, motivating diverse learners and stimulating critical thinking and creativity.

Supporting Goals
In order to meet this standard, students will:
• use software applications which are specific to curricular areas.
• use software that supports critical thinking and problem solving.
• use productivity software to support curriculum related tasks.

Benchmarks

6-8
As students in 6-8 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:
• using software to support learning of new concepts and skills including critical thinking and problem solving;
• an awareness of ethical issues associated with software;
• using electronic resources;
• formatting documents;
• using spell check/thesaurus;
• designing, building and searching a database;
• constructing a spreadsheet using formulas and graphs;
• using application software to create electronic presentations; and
• creating and using graphics to enhance a document.

9-12
As students in 9-12 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:
• using software to support learning of new concepts and skills including critical thinking and problem solving;
• an awareness of ethical issues associated with software;
• using electronic resources;
• composing a document at the keyboard using word processing skills and the writing process steps; and
• using application software to create quality products and electronic presentations.

3. Students use and understand technology to communicate and access information electronically.

Rationale
Technology has facilitated efficient and more varied means of communication. It is increasingly important to obtain timely and relevant information from appropriate sources and to exchange such information throughout the world.
Supporting Goals
In order to meet this standard, students will understand and use electronic communication tools to:

• access relevant data and information specific to curricular areas.
Benchmarks

6-8
As students in 6-8 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:

• using search strategies to retrieve relevant global electronic information.

9-12
As students in 9-12 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:
• using search strategies to retrieve relevant global electronic information.