Technology is rapidly advancing in this digital world and the knowledge for technology is essential in the classroom. Iola hopes to stay ahead of the curve by starting technology education in kindergarten.
Angie Linn, curriculum director for Iola, has been working on advancing Iola school’s technology curriculum.
On Tuesday night Linn addressed the Iola school board with a proposal to integrate a new plan that includes hiring a new teacher who would divide his time between schools. The teacher would help with K-3 courses and oversee K-5. The teacher would also provide course support at the middle school to teach supplemental courses.
“We already have two paras who assist with technology education,” Linn said, but stressed the need for an additional full time teacher.
Currently, in upper level elementary classes students had to create PowerPoint presentations and do basic keyboarding. This will now be moved down to the third grade. Students as young as kindergarten will learn keyboarding and how to use a web browser.
The reason requirements are being moved to earlier levels is because of the new state assessment requirements.
“Previously students who took the assessment would have a multiple choice option,” Linn said. “Now they will be required to type a response.”
The schools are now mandated to talk about cyber bullying as well, so this is another reason they are wanting to update the curriculum.
Students will start out in elementary schools learning keyboarding basics and then they will advance to things like digital citizenship and how to properly use applications. This will better prepare students for higher education.
If a new teacher isn’t hired to lead this curriculum Linn said they will still move forward. It could, however, affect the students’ classroom progress.
“If it isn’t passed, students won’t be as prepared,” Linn said.
She hopes the board can make a decision before the fall semester.
Iola looks ahead of tech curve
