Nets for Students

Basic

By the End of Grade 7

Proficient

By the End of Grade 8

1.   Basic Operations and Concepts

1)       Students discuss common hardware and software problems and identify strategies for troubleshooting and solving minor hardware and software problems.

2)       Students know how to apply search engines, word processors, databases, spreadsheets, timelines, charts or graphs, communications, surveys, and other technology-based research and analysis tools to organize, synthesize, interpret, and communicate results from data collected regarding technological advances over time and the effects of the changes on occupations in business, industry, education, and other areas.

3)       Students know how to use application features (e.g., columns, tables, headers and footers, borders, drawing menu bar) and a variety of other toolbars to format and publish content projects and products.

4)       Students know how to use proper keyboarding posture, hand and finger positions, and touch-typing techniques to improve accuracy, speed, and general efficiency in computer operation.

1)       Students recognize hardware and software components used to provide access to network resources and know how common peripherals (e.g., scanners, digital cameras, and video projectors) are accessed, controlled, connected, and used effectively and efficiently.

2)       Students know how to evaluate, select, and use appropriate technology tools and information resources to plan, design, develop, and communicate content information, appropriately addressing the target audience and providing accurate citations for sources.

3)       Students know how to identify appropriate file formats for a variety of applications and apply utility programs to convert formats, as necessary, for effective use in Web, video, audio, graphic, presentation, word-processing, database, publication, and spreadsheet applications.

4)       Students know how to use the electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spelling and grammar checker, and editing features to maximize accuracy in development of technology-produced products.

5)       Students examine changes in hardware and software systems over time, and identify how changes affect business, industry, education, government, and individual users.

Basic

By the End of Grade 7

Proficient

By the End of Grade 8

1.   Basic Operations and Concepts

b. Students are proficient in the use of technology. (information management)

Students know how to organize materials in files and folders, sort files and e-mail lists (by file name and date), and sort data within application programs (e.g., word-processing tables, spreadsheets, and databases).

Students identify strategies and procedures for efficient and effective management and maintenance of computer files in a variety of different media and formats on a hard drive and network.

1.   Basic Operations and Concepts

b. Students are proficient in the use of technology. (terminology and problem solving)

Students select correct terminology and concepts associated with hardware, software, computer systems, networks, Internet connectivity, and technology applications (e.g., word processor, database, spreadsheet, multimedia, telecommunications, drawing, concept-mapping, simulation) and other digital resources.

Students know how to solve basic hardware, software, and network problems that occur during everyday use; protect computers, networks, and information from viruses, vandalism, and unauthorized use; and access online help and user documentation to solve common hardware, software, and network problems.

2.     Social, Ethical, and Human Issues

a. Students understand the ethical, cutural, and societal issues related to technology.

Students recognize, discuss, and visually represent current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on the workplace and society.

Students identify legal and ethical issues related to use of information and communication technology, recognize consequences of its misuse, and predict possible long-range effects of ethical and unethical use of technology on culture and society.

2.     Social, Ethical, and Human Issues

b. Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

Students identify and develop scenarios or examples that illustrate ethical behaviors for use of personal copyrighted media (e.g., images, music, video, content, language, correctly formatted citations for the copyrighted materials).

Students discuss issues related to acceptable and responsible use of information and communication technology (e.g., privacy, security, copyright, file sharing, plagiarism), analyze the consequences and costs of unethical use of information and computer technology (e.g., hacking, spamming, consumer fraud, virus setting, intrusion), and identify methods for addressing these risks.

Basic

By the End of Grade 7

Proficient

By the End of Grade 8

2.     Social, Ethical, and Human Issues

c. Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Students identify how they currently use technology and predict how they may use and benefit from its use in their future.

Students examine issues related to computer etiquette and discuss means for encouraging more effective use of technology to support effective communication, collaboration, personal productivity, lifelong learning, and assistance for individuals with disabilities.

3.     Technology Productivity Tools

a. Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Students know how to use content-specific hardware and software (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, simulations, Web tools) to support learning, research, productivity, and creative thinking.

Students describe and apply common software features (e.g., spellchecker and thesaurus to ensure accuracy of word-processing documents; formulas and chart generation in spreadsheets, and insertion of pictures, movies, sound, and charts in presentation software) to enhance communication to an audience, promote productivity, and support creativity.

3.     Technology Productivity Tools

b. Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Students know how to work in teams to use hardware and software tools (e.g., concept-mapping software, word processor, database, spreadsheet, publishing software, Web publishing software, drawing software, puzzle development software, timeline development software, digital still and video cameras, probes, motion detectors, light detectors, digital microscopes) to support learning, research, productivity, and creativity.

Students know how to identify, evaluate, select, and use collaborative tools to survey, collect, share, and communicate information within and outside the school community.

Students describe how to use online environments or other collaborative tools to facilitate design and development of materials, models, publications, and presentations; they know how to apply utilities for editing pictures, images, and charts.

Basic

By the End of Grade 7

Proficient

By the End of Grade 8

4.   Technology Communication Tools

a. Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Students know how to develop Web-based projects (e.g., WebQuest) that identify content, challenge other students who access the site to answer questions or give opinions adding to the content, and provide opportunities to evaluate responses or submissions for currency and accuracy.

Students know how to use telecommunications tools (e.g., e-mail, discussion groups, and online collaborative environments) to exchange data collected and learn curricular concepts by communicating with peers, experts, and other audiences.

4.   Technology Communication Tools

b. Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Students demonstrate knowledge of multimedia tools and concepts used by the media industry (e.g., music, games, video, radio, TV, Web sites) to entertain, sell, and influence ideas and opinions.

Students know how to use a variety of media and formats to design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., presentations, newsletters, Web pages) that effectively communicate information and ideas about the curriculum to multiple audiences.

5. Technology Research Tools

a. Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

Students know how to search, collect, and evaluate resources from a variety of locations online, and construct a linked list of resources (e.g., information, research, data, photos, video clips, illustrations, graphics) to support content learning and project development.

Students know how to conduct an advanced search using Boolean logic and other sophisticated search functions; they know how to evaluate information from a variety of sources for accuracy, bias, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness.

5. Technology Research Tools

b. Students use technology tools to process data and report results.

Students know how to search and sort information in an electronic database using multiple criteria, add and delete records, and identify strategies for finding specific information.

Students know how to identify and implement procedures for designing, creating, and populating a database; and, in performing queries, to process data and report results relevant to an assigned hypothesis or research question.

Basic

By the End of Grade 7

Proficient

By the End of Grade 8

5. Technology Research Tools

c. Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

Students know how to select information and technological resources based on the appropriateness and efficiency for completing tasks, providing the desired information, or addressing the identified objectives.

Students know how to select and use information and communication technology tools and resources to collect and analyze information and report results on an assigned hypothesis or research question.

6. Technology Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools

a. Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions

Students know how to integrate data-gathering instruments (e.g., probes, electronic calculators, handheld devices) with spreadsheets, use data analysis tools within the spreadsheet to analyze the data, graph results, and inform conclusions drawn from the data.

Students identify two or more types of information and communication technology tools or resources that can be used for informing and solving a specific problem and presenting results, or for identifying and presenting an informed rationale for a decision.

6. Technology Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools

b. Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.

Students know how to apply formulas, functions, and “what if” statements in spreadsheets and graphs or charts to analyze and interpret data for content assignments.

Students describe the information and communication technology tools they might use to compare information from different sources, analyze findings, determine the need for additional information, and draw conclusions for addressing real-world problems.