Artifact # 5
North Carolina Computer Competencies
Context
This printout clearly explains the Computer Skills that students will need to be proficient in to succeed in the school systems. This artifact was compiled to inform educators of the Computer/Technology Skills Curriculum that is required in the North Carolina School Systems. The handout contains detailed lists of each competency that is required for each grade level. It explains what should be included for each class in terms of Computer/Technology skills that teachers should teach to students. After visiting www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/computer.skills/k_2.html on the Internet, I was able to read about all of the competencies that are involved in each grade level. I also went to www.ncpublicschools.org/testing where I was able to read about the new policies involving computer testing that will take place in all 8th Grade classes to make sure students are able to demonstrate knowledgeable computer skills.
Impact
As a teacher, I will need to inform students about computer proficiency and teach students about computer technology. The state of North Carolina is now requiring students be tested about their computer knowledge to make sure that students will enter high school with sufficient computer skills, and that no student exits North Carolina high schools without sufficient computer skills. This test includes skills such as word processing, keyboarding, database use, and spreadsheet use. There are also questions about general computer skills. For example, “Which special function key would be used to key the sentence: ‘Today is Tuesday?’” A list of possible answers is provided.
Alignment
The
Computer/Technology Skills Curriculum handout meets Competencies 10.1
and 10.5 in the North Carolina Standard Course
of Study because first, it is a clear list of the appropriate Computer
Skills Curriculum that will apply to students that I will be teaching.
Also, the list of items can be applied to things that I will need to involve
in my classes, such as computer skills tests and incorporation of other
instructional objectives. This assignment also meets INTASC
Principle #1 because the teacher knows what is expected of his/her
students in terms of state requirements for technology and shares them
with his/her students.