Gateway to Technology
Computers are around us in everything we do. Even when we don't use them directly, they influence us. The goal for these courses is to teach students to use technology safely and effectively.
These courses are part of the Falcon Bluffs electives program.
Gateway to Technology - 6th Grade
Gateway to Technology focuses on technological literacy. The course prepares students to assess, acquire, and communicate information in a fully digital environment. Students utilize a variety of digital devices and interfaces (e.g., e-mail, internet, social media, cloud computing) to communicate, troubleshoot and problem-solve, creating lifelong learning pathways into computer science.
The sixth grade Computer Applications class is a CTE (Career and Technical Education) Explorer class where students will gain a foundation in using technology safely and effectively. The goal of this class is to give you the skills to use technology to make your middle school (and beyond) experience easier, more rewarding, and safer.
Potential Topics:
- How to email a teacher with questions
- How to use Google Docs
- How to collaborate online
- How to organize Google Docs and other files
- Learn basic helpful apps and tools (google drawing google earth, edpuzzle, quizlet)
- How to research more effectively
- How a computer works
- Introduction to AI
- Online safety
- Basic coding using scratch
- How the internet works
- Critical thinking about new technology and its uses so students can adapt to an unknown future
Exploring Computer Science 1 - 7th grade
The seventh grade Computer Applications class is a CTE (Career and Technical Education) Exploration class where students will get a foundation of skills necessary for basic computer usage. The seventh grade Computer Applications class is meant to be an introductory class to computers.
Students will gain basic skills for a wide variety of programs and tools on the computer. Typing will be incorporated since it is the predominant way to communicate with a computer at this time. Students can anticipate most units lasting between 1 day to 1 week.
Potential topics:
- Google apps
- Coding
- Creating music
- Spreadsheets
- Researching
- Safety online
- web design
- Editing pictures
- Presentation design
- Keyboarding
- Game reviews
- MS Excel
Exploring Computer Science 2 - 8th Grade
The eighth grade Computer Applications class is a CTE (Career and Technical Education) Explorer class where students will be introduced to many computer skills. It will be similar to the seventh grade class with the topics, but the programs used will be different as well as the expected depth of understanding and complexity. The seventh grade course is not a prerequisite for the eighth grade course.
Students will gain basic skills for a wide variety of programs and tools on the computer. This is intentional so they will be a jack of all trades and master of none - better prepared for whatever the future brings as well as deciding if they want to pursue this further in high school or as a job. Proper typing will be purposely incorporated since it is the predominant way to communicate with a computer at this time. Students can anticipate most units lasting between 1 day to 1 week.
Potential topics:
- Google apps
- Coding
- Spreadsheets
- Keyboarding
- Researching
- Artificial Intelligence operation and ethics
- Safety online
- Editing pictures
- Critical thinking about technology uses
- Game reviews
- MS Excel
- Follow directions (legos)
- Design a web page
- Video editing