Note: This is not a complete list of our topics.
Nest
Nest students learn the fundamentals of technology through exploration and investigation. In Tech, we learn how to navigate computer and internet browser interfaces. By utilizing websites related to their classroom unit, Nest students familiarize themselves with mouse to screen coordination while learning integrated material. Through games and play, students become fluent with computer functions. At this age, Nest students also learn shortcuts and gestures with iPads. Using the iPad cameras, students discuss and evaluate when it is acceptable to record other people. Nest students also learn about the topic of internet safety and being a digital citizen. During the year, Nesters begin to troubleshoot problems that they may encounter when using technology.
When we use Tech in the Nest, we ask ourselves: What is technology? What does “using technology responsibly” mean? How do I open the internet? How do I go back to the last website? How do I change my window size? How can I change the volume? When can I take a picture of another person? Why do people leave bad comments on the internet? What does cyberbullying mean? How do I get to the next line so I can type underneath what I already have? Why does this menu keep showing up when I click? How do I make my text bigger? What is “screen time” and why is that important? How do I get back to the Tech website? How do I close this website? How do I know what I’m supposed to do on this game? How am I supposed to handle technology tools? |
Project examples include:
|
Pond
Pond students build from prior knowledge and begin to explore how to personalize their documents. They also explore different methods to present material and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Pond students develop an understanding of the various modes of communicating their ideas using technology. At the Pond level, a focus on proper typing techniques is emphasized. Students begin to memorize the layout of the keyboard and stretch their minds to remember key locations. Troubleshooting is a key component of the Pond curriculum. Students learn to assess their environment to try to figure out how to solve a problem. Pond students begin to think like a computer programmer and are introduced to coding. They analyze computer goals and find solutions to achieve those set goals. Pond students also learn about digital citizenship and social justice. They learn what it means to stay safe on the internet. We delve into the appropriateness of online communications such as online chatting, commenting, and posting.
When we use Tech in the Pond, we ask ourselves: Can I add pictures and videos to a presentation? When should I leave a comment online? What do I do if someone says a mean thing? How can I program a character to move across the screen? What do I want my character to do when it gets there? Who do I ask for help when something doesn’t work? Can I figure this out myself? How do I save a picture? Where do I save a picture? How do I find a file that I’ve saved? Can I share this document with my teacher? How do I make my text go down the middle rather than the side of my word document? Why is my word underlined? How do I safely search the internet to find more information about a specific topic? |
|
Lake
Students in the Lake spend a large portion of the year exploring what it means to be a digital citizen. They learn to embrace their generation’s responsibility of creating and following the rules they set for digital citizenship. There are currently nine elements of digital citizenship; access, commerce, communication, literacy, etiquette, law, rights & responsibilities, health & wellness, security. Lake students look at these elements and they analyze how they fit together and how they differ. They explore social justice in the digital world and find their online identity. Lakers discuss and practice using appropriate actions for justice. Students also examine website reliability in preparation for their Independent Projects. They learn how to take notes on a website, cite the website, and use those ideas in their paper and presentation. At the Lake level, students begin to learn about careers in technology. Lakers are ready to take on more organization skills. They learn how to maintain their Google Drive accounts.
When we use Tech in the Lake, we ask ourselves: How do I know that a website is reliable? Is Wikipedia reliable? Could Wikipedia be reliable? Who adds pages to Wikipedia? What does copyright mean? Can I use this picture that I found on Google? What does creative commons mean and how is it different than fair use? What do I do if I see that someone posted a mean comment? How can I stand up for the target of the mean comment? What elements of digital citizenship does cyber bullying fit into? What are some ways that I could be vulnerable online? How do I create a new folder? How do I move a document from one folder to another? Is my document saved? How do I copy and paste a URL? How do I create my own website? What careers include technology specialists? What is programming? |
Project examples include:
|
Sky
Students in the Sky take an integrated approach to technology. Sky students critically think about synthesizing presentations and process information and graphic choices. Skyers learn how to dig into digital resources such as scholarly articles, newspaper archives, and general internet searches. They will also take care to cite each resource to give credit to its source. Students in the Sky level create and edit video and photography. They create public service announcements for a cause of their choice. By giving students a choice, they are able to explore their interests and communicate those passions to their peers. Social media and similar websites are also critiqued for their profiling, safety, and responsible use. Sky students use computer programming and game design to develop games that are peer reviewed by their classmates. Students learn the technical aspects of files and sharing to be efficient and knowledgeable about their choices. Social justice is addressed throughout the year. Sky students learn to identify their own online presence and develop empathy and compassion for others in the expanding network that the internet provides.
When we use Tech in the Sky, we ask ourselves: How do I properly cite my research paper? How can I more efficiently search Google for my research project? How do I search an electronic database for local information? What information should I include in my visual presentation? How can I improve this program to reach more people? What elements are put into this game? How do I add a visual effect to my video to make it look dark and mysterious? If I film from a different view point, does it change how my viewers respond to my story line? Does a file extension change my file in any way? Can I share my document with my classmate so that we can collaborate together? Why do ads show up on the side of my website? |
Project examples include:
|