What should children learn with/about computers in grades 1-8?

Question

I am on my child's school's education technology committee, and it's out job to make recommendations to the school. They have some things set up, like a web site, email addresses for all the teachers, computers in the school, smart boards in some of the classrooms, etc.

Even though I am a computer professional now, back when I was in elementary/middle school, we didn't have any of this stuff. I would welcome people's suggestions for what the school should have and or do with the computers for the students.

Broadly, for the students:

• Students should learn to use a computer. That means getting familiar with files, folders, pointing and clicking with the mouse, using the clipboard, typing, etc.

• Students should learn to do use the computer for certain simple tasks, like finding something on the web, sending email, typing up papers in a word processor, etc.

• Maybe some students should get a chance to learn more complicated tasks, like building a web site, creating a video project, manipulate digital photos, etc.

• Learning about how computers work and how to program them, etc.

For the teachers:

• Tools to use in the classroom to help them teach math/spelling/geography/science/whatever to the students.

• Tools for teachers to track lessons/grades, generate/score tests, etc.

• What else?

This is obviously a broad question, but I'm very interested in hearing from anybody who can give examples of successful ways of using computers and ways of teaching students about computers in school.

Answer 1

Loads of great answers. A few other related SU questions:

how-do-you-teach-a-child-to-use-a-computer

what-is-the-best-childrens-education-software-youve-encountered

As a primary/elementary teacher in the UK and US, I see the concerns about starting too young, but this is the modern world and like it or not, computer use is an essential part of the curriculum. It's up to the educators and parents to ensure that computer use is balanced with real world activities and traditional teaching methods, and that computer use supplements the curriculum and doesn't replace human interaction.

In early years (ages 2-5), children can use computers to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination with mathematical type match up games. In a developing literacy stage, this can be extended to sound/letter correspondence. The advantage of these is that children can see and hear and do all at the same time, which is not always possible or convenient. Also, the activities are likely to be visually appealing. More so that some teacher made flashcards.

In ages 5-8, children can use storyboarding software (I know Tizzy's tools) to enhance their literacy skills and enjoyment- using a paint like interface and writing a sentence or two. Pupils can (and may be more likely to) create a whole book (of a few pages) using these tools. In numeracy education, being able to drag and drop (in sorting, graphing...) is more educationally appropriate than endless scissor cutting and pasting (although there are important lessons there too)

From age 8, children may be ready for more formal skills. The basics of most of an Office suite is attainable. They particularly enjoy powerpoint and love going overboard with animations and transitions. I showed a class of 9 year olds how to use a simple animated .gif maker and feel that I have helped to develop the next breed of animators.

As the children get more advanced, curious and independent, I have found that just exposing them to possibilities is enough for (some of) their curiosities to run with it. Most children are extremely resourceful and adaptable and will combine the skills taught in wholly unintended ways.

The units of study for England and Wales, age 5-11, can be found here: ICT schemes of work. It may be noticeable that there is a balance between learning about using computers, and using computers and other technological equipment in a real world/modeling way.

I could go on, but it appears that I already have...

Answer 2

Skills in how to use spreadsheets are invaluable for the inevitable maths projects about statistics.

Perhaps a few things on computer networking might also be handy for more advanced topics.

On the topic of teaching web design, I would suggest that it be taught as a markup language along with CSS. With these 2 things, I found making web pages became a lot easier.

Answer 3

I would recommend basic word processing and spreadsheets and the like starting in third or fourth grade. Before that, typing skills and some learning games, especially ones with problem solving and hand-eye coordination, are the main things needed. At around sixth grade I'd start with networks and interconnections. Throw email in there just about anywhere once they have decent writing skills (fourth or fifth?). If you can get them pen pals (or email pals) across the country or world, that could be a real eye opener for young kids, and make them more open to the world.

Just my thoughts, I may be way off base.

Answer 4

This Wikipedia article describes things that you can introduce to children in certain ages. Maybe you could teach the students to use the computer by introducing them to the simple programming languages described there (scroll down to "Languages by age and experience").

Answer 5

How about Internet safety? Teaching students not to revel too much information is a good lesson. Most parents teach their children to not talk to strangers on the street, but neglect to tell them the same applies to Internet interactions.

Answer 6

Simple programming, perhaps Python? Not for everybody, but the earlier you learn the concepts, the happier you'll be with your PC :)

Answer 7

They should make the stuff they are teaching fun for the kids. I would have the kids expanding their curiosity. Give them lists of sites with open source applications and let them install the applications and see what the applications do, play with them.
Get them to play lan games against each other that you can script, then give them a script which for example gives ammo or replenish life in the game a limited times or with a limited amount. Let the little hacker come out of them this way. Tell them they could make the script better and give documentation for the scripting language, explain the scripting language.
Let them play with multiple operating systems which are nicely configured to be eye-candy. Think of ubuntu with gnome and that 3d stuff. Or windows xp with the alienware themes.

Answer 8

When I was in school (I'm a second year cse major in college now), we weren't taught anything related to computers except how to type. From my experience, people (of all ages) are not going to learn how to do anything with a computer, except through using one.

So I think the best solution is to give assignments which require students to use computers (essays, presentations, etc) and provide the facilities for those who don't have access to computers or the necessary software. The teachers can then give demonstrations and assist students who need help. But asking elementary school students to do such assignments seems a little extreme, although middle school might be a good place to start.

I don't think kids need to be taught how to use computers. However, students should definitely be taught how to type at a young age, but other computer skills will be picked up as time goes on.