I’ve been thinking a lot this year about what I should teach kids. After a quick chat with my buddy Nic Finelli I have changed my thinking to where it likely needs to be.
What do I want my kids to know (or be able to do) when they leave 6th grade?
I am thinking this particularly in terms of technology. I know what I want them to do in my Spanish and Latin classes.
But what about tech?
So I turn that question to you.
What should a 6th grader know and/or be able to do when they leave 6th grade?
I am staring down the barrel of a cool new opportunity for the next school year. So this is more than just theoretical, I need to be able to answer this question effectively. So help me out, eh?
I believe that programming would be so very useful…great for developing problem solving and analytical thinking skills
I have been given the task of creating a scope and sequence for technology in my 3-8 building. Fortunately we do not have a high-stakes test for technology so I have a bit of freedom. I suppose in 2-3 years I will be able to help answer your question better.
I think students need to be able to create, post, and comment on blogs. They should have a basic understanding of wikis. I think they should be able to use a digital camera, get the pictures (and video) onto the computer, and do simple editing. I also think they should be able to explain how to be safe online.
I teach the eight year olds but similar thoughts run through my head as Bill.
By the end of the year I want them to be able to independently use a digital camera, be conversant with some publishing software like Comic Life, Pages etc, I want them to have a portfolio of digital objects that they can access and share with their parents, I want them to have sucked in their parents as well so that their parents are more involved in the learning on line.
I want parents to look forward to visiting our class blog as they will know that there will be something new to look at.
I want them to be aware of their digital footprint and how things that go on line stay on line and want them to know what to do if things go wrong. I want them to be resilient.
I would like them to have co-constructed something with children they haven’t met. To learn from others.
And I want them to use our class blog as a resource to learn and practice skills we have learnt in the classroom.
That’s enough to be going on with!
I want them to be aware of their digital footprint and how things that go on line stay on line and want them to know what to do if things go wrong. I want them to be resilient.