Common Core Standards. Whether you are in favor of them, against them, or indifferent, I think we all have to applaud their integration of technology in student learning.
The Common Core Standards, adopted by most states, are the set of benchmarks that outline what kids should be able to do by the end of the school year in each grade. As a fourth grade educator, one writing standard in particular stands out to me, Writing Standard Number 6. It states that with support from a teacher, by the end of the year, fourth graders should be able to “1. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; 2. Demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.”
The purpose of the Common Core is to prepare 12th graders for college and careers in 21st century America. It goes without saying that not just today, but in 8 years when my students graduate 12th grade, they will need these technology skills to truly succeed in college and in their careers.
The only obstacle I see is finding opportune time to truly teach and assess this standard. Mastering keyboarding skills is no easy feat for most adults. Neither is learning to construct writing pieces via computer. There is a large investment of time and a certain level of persistence needed. Transferring these skills to 9-year-olds seems vastly impossible.
I’m curious to know, are there teachers out there who have tackled these tasks. What has worked, what hasn’t? Did your students rise to the challenge? Sound off below.
E. M. Jones
Fifth Grade Teacher
Bancroft Elementary School