For this assignment I was given the task review the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Technology. These standards set the blue print of expectations set within New Jersey’s grades P-12 across the state. The standards themselves are reviewed and revised as necessary every 5years the standards that I reviewed were adopted in October of 2014. The standards themselves are created and reviewed by a panel of parents, students, teachers, influential members of the community, and representatives of higher education institutions. Research, national standards, community needs, and student needs are a few of many concepts that help influence such standards within the state.
After carefully reviewing the standards I chose 4 indicators to explore further and to supply examples of how I can create classroom activities to reflect each. For this assignment I will be using a 1st grade classroom for my activities.
8.1.2.A.4 Demonstrate developmentally appropriate navigation skills in virtual environments (i.e. games, museums). Under Technology Operations and Concepts: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
For a fun activity in my 1st grade classroom I would have each child use the website https://www.abcmouse.com/ to work on math skills twice per week. This would give the students time to play fun games that are based on math while practicing navigating the technology as well.
Indicator 8.1.2.E.1 – Use digital tools and online resources to explore a problem or issue. This is under Research and Information Fluency where students should be able to apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
I think that I could apply this concept to a 1st grade science assignment where I challenge the children to research an endangered species. Once the children select their animal I will have them research 3 facts about it. They will then create a poster board with their research and photos that they found online to present to their peers.
8.1.2.C.1-Engage in a variety of developmentally appropriate learning activities with students in other classes, schools, or countries using various media formats such as online collaborative tools, and social media. This is under the section of Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
A fun project could be to have the 1st graders read their favorite age appropriate book while being recorded. These recordings can be shared with another classroom outside of our school creating an online video sharing between the two classrooms support both reading skills and technology skills.
Indicator 8.1.2.B.1 – Illustrate and communicate original ideas and stories using multiple digital tools and resources. This located under the Creativity and Innovation Concept that outlines that students should demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and process using technology.
I think an exciting project for 1st graders that supports this combination of digital tools and resources could be creating their own fairy tale. Students could first write their stories using the skills learned through a processing program, they can then create a google slide show with help from the teacher, and finally finish it up by recording their presentation and sharing it with their families via social media which will be monitored by the teachers.
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