Critique of the NJCCCS for Technology:
The Core Curriculum Content Standards in Computer and Technology Literacy foster curriculum development by providing teachers a foundation of what is expected to be taught and the various grade levels. The curriculum outlines a wide variety of topics that should be taught by the end of grades four, eight, and twelfth. Each of the topics has progress indicators that help guide through the core themes. Some of the core themes of the standards are:
1. Basic PC Usage (Keyboarding & Operating Systems)
2. Understanding the Impact of Technology on Society Through Different Designs and Systems (Ex: Medicine, Agriculture, Energy etc.)
3. Solving Problems Through Technology
Strengths of the Content Standards:
One of the strength of the curriculum is it allows the teacher their own independent implementation of how to teach the curriculum to their students. The curriculum is broad which allows teachers to implement and teach to their personal strengths in knowledge. Besides that, some other strengths of the technology curriculum are:
1. Skills and concepts are continuously built from one grade level to the next
2. Targets useful and real life skills that are applicable to daily life
3. User friendly—only two standards in total
Weaknesses of the Content Standards:
Some weaknesses in the technology curriculum at times it can be very “wordy” and hard to follow (using vague language such as appropriate and adequate). The curriculum is very broad and can be easily misinterpreted without a clear direction. Because it so broad, students from different school districts could be learning completely different educational themes from one another without a cohesive and more detailed outline for the teachers to follow. Other weaknesses also include the following:
1. Don’t consider advantages technology has for students with special needs
2. Has vague goals for students (partly because the standards are so broad)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Technology Standards Handout: Skills, Knowledge, and Dispositions
The Targeted Skills Set of the NJCCCS for Technology:
The NJCCCS focuses on building upon some of the basic technological skill sets so that the student will be able to apply the skills they possess towards solving problems in the real world. Some of these skills include, but are not limited to:
1. Keyboarding
2. Computer Literacy
3.. Information-Gathering
4. Information-Organizing
5. Problem Solving
The Knowledge Acquired Through the NJCCS for Technology:
The NJCCCS for technology exposes students to a wide range of knowledge that is critically important because it is cross curricular and also essential towards molding students into becoming functioning members of a complex society. One of the most important areas of knowledge that the standards introduces to the students is determining the credibility of sources of information. Here, students utilize their skills in analyzing and interpreting data in order to determine whether sources of information can be deemed credible or not. Furthermore, the NJCCCS also develops a knowledge and understanding in the area of plagiarism and looks to make students more aware of what plagiarism is, and how to effectively avoid it in their writing assignments and projects.
The Dispositions Fostered Through the Technology Standards:
The NJCCCS for technology fosters dispositions that seek to engage students in utilizing proper etiquette when using technology. The etiquette consists of recognizing some of the set values and beliefs that have been accepted by society when people interact with one another. The NJCCCS for technology recognize that these norms which include being respectful and courteous should also be practiced when people communicate via using technology as well. Furthermore, the NJCCCS stresses to students that they maintain a code of ethics and not violate any copyright laws through plagiarism, that they exercise proper judgment in selecting sources of information that are credible, and that they give credit to those whom they are obtaining information from.
The NJCCCS focuses on building upon some of the basic technological skill sets so that the student will be able to apply the skills they possess towards solving problems in the real world. Some of these skills include, but are not limited to:
1. Keyboarding
2. Computer Literacy
3.. Information-Gathering
4. Information-Organizing
5. Problem Solving
The Knowledge Acquired Through the NJCCS for Technology:
The NJCCCS for technology exposes students to a wide range of knowledge that is critically important because it is cross curricular and also essential towards molding students into becoming functioning members of a complex society. One of the most important areas of knowledge that the standards introduces to the students is determining the credibility of sources of information. Here, students utilize their skills in analyzing and interpreting data in order to determine whether sources of information can be deemed credible or not. Furthermore, the NJCCCS also develops a knowledge and understanding in the area of plagiarism and looks to make students more aware of what plagiarism is, and how to effectively avoid it in their writing assignments and projects.
The Dispositions Fostered Through the Technology Standards:
The NJCCCS for technology fosters dispositions that seek to engage students in utilizing proper etiquette when using technology. The etiquette consists of recognizing some of the set values and beliefs that have been accepted by society when people interact with one another. The NJCCCS for technology recognize that these norms which include being respectful and courteous should also be practiced when people communicate via using technology as well. Furthermore, the NJCCCS stresses to students that they maintain a code of ethics and not violate any copyright laws through plagiarism, that they exercise proper judgment in selecting sources of information that are credible, and that they give credit to those whom they are obtaining information from.
Technology Standards Handout: Summary, Outside Resources, and Curriculum Development
About the NJCCCS for Technology:
The NJCCCS recognizes that the field of technology is a multifaceted and that it is evolving at an amazing rate in terms of the advancements of current fields as well as in the creation of new technologies. With that in mind, the core content standards for this field aim to have the learner possess a basic understanding of technology concepts and be comfortable with the application of technology so that they may be capable of functioning in today’s complex society. Furthermore, the NJCCCS for technology stride to make the students become informed and productive members of society for the future.
Some Resources for Further Development and Understanding of the Technology Standards:
1. Britton, E., De Long-Cotty, B. Levenson, T. (2005). Bringing technology education into k-8 classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
2. Butler-Pascoe, M, & Wilburg, K (2003). Technology and Teaching English Language Learners.Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
3. Cummins, J, Brown, K, & Sayers, D (2006). Literacy, Technology, & Diversity: Teaching for Success in Changing Times. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.\
4. Fitzgerald, M. (April 2007). Write Right!: Owner’s Manual Project Develops Communication Skills. Tech Directions. 66(9); 14-18.
5. Moye, Johnny J. Dec 2007-Jan 2008 Teaching Technology--It Couldn't Get Any Better! , v67 n4 p22-26.
6. Reeve, E.M. (Feb 2006). Implementing a New Middle School Course into Your Technology Education Program: Invention and Innovation. Technology Teacher, 65(5), 25-28.
Curriculum Development: How do the standards foster it?
Standard 8.1 (Technology Literacy) focuses on computer and information literacy, which is done through building upon the knowledge and application of some basic computing skills such as keyboarding and mastering usage of computer software programs found in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc.) The essential goal of Standard 8.1 is to ensure that students will be able to apply the knowledge of basic technology skills to effectively solve problems. Therefore, the curriculum continues to grow and expand as the students progress from grade level to grade level.
Standard 8.2 (Technology Education) looks to develop a student’s understanding of the nature and the impact that technology has on their surrounding world. In doing so, it is the goal of Standard 8.2 to continue to build upon the skills that are necessary to be able to function in the diverse world in which we live in today. As a result, students will gain a better understanding of how to effectively solve problems utilizing technology because they have grasped the concept of just how important of a role technology can have on multifaceted design systems ranging from fields of medicine, education, energy, and the environment.
As time evolves, the field of technology only improves and expands. Keeping that in mind, it is paramount that the state of New Jersey constantly revisits and revises the goals for its standards so that its teachers and students are better prepared for what lies ahead of them in the future.
The NJCCCS recognizes that the field of technology is a multifaceted and that it is evolving at an amazing rate in terms of the advancements of current fields as well as in the creation of new technologies. With that in mind, the core content standards for this field aim to have the learner possess a basic understanding of technology concepts and be comfortable with the application of technology so that they may be capable of functioning in today’s complex society. Furthermore, the NJCCCS for technology stride to make the students become informed and productive members of society for the future.
Some Resources for Further Development and Understanding of the Technology Standards:
1. Britton, E., De Long-Cotty, B. Levenson, T. (2005). Bringing technology education into k-8 classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
2. Butler-Pascoe, M, & Wilburg, K (2003). Technology and Teaching English Language Learners.Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
3. Cummins, J, Brown, K, & Sayers, D (2006). Literacy, Technology, & Diversity: Teaching for Success in Changing Times. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.\
4. Fitzgerald, M. (April 2007). Write Right!: Owner’s Manual Project Develops Communication Skills. Tech Directions. 66(9); 14-18.
5. Moye, Johnny J. Dec 2007-Jan 2008 Teaching Technology--It Couldn't Get Any Better! , v67 n4 p22-26.
6. Reeve, E.M. (Feb 2006). Implementing a New Middle School Course into Your Technology Education Program: Invention and Innovation. Technology Teacher, 65(5), 25-28.
Curriculum Development: How do the standards foster it?
Standard 8.1 (Technology Literacy) focuses on computer and information literacy, which is done through building upon the knowledge and application of some basic computing skills such as keyboarding and mastering usage of computer software programs found in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc.) The essential goal of Standard 8.1 is to ensure that students will be able to apply the knowledge of basic technology skills to effectively solve problems. Therefore, the curriculum continues to grow and expand as the students progress from grade level to grade level.
Standard 8.2 (Technology Education) looks to develop a student’s understanding of the nature and the impact that technology has on their surrounding world. In doing so, it is the goal of Standard 8.2 to continue to build upon the skills that are necessary to be able to function in the diverse world in which we live in today. As a result, students will gain a better understanding of how to effectively solve problems utilizing technology because they have grasped the concept of just how important of a role technology can have on multifaceted design systems ranging from fields of medicine, education, energy, and the environment.
As time evolves, the field of technology only improves and expands. Keeping that in mind, it is paramount that the state of New Jersey constantly revisits and revises the goals for its standards so that its teachers and students are better prepared for what lies ahead of them in the future.
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