Pre K Guidelines for Technology

The Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines, the "TEKS" for pre-Kindergarten teachers were revised in 2008 and offer guidance regarding curriculum decisions. They are not required, as the TEKS are, but do provide a solid foundation from which the TEKS can be taught. The technology component is comprised of five skill areas that are to be accomplished by the end for the year. They are:

1. Child opens and navigates through software programs designed to enhance development of appropriate concepts.
2. Child uses and names a variety of computer input devices, such as mouse, keyboard, voice or sound recorder, touch screen, CD.
3. Child operates voice or sound recorders and touch screens.
4. Child uses software applications to create and express own ideas.
5. Child recognizes that information is accessible through the use of technology.

As one can see, achievement of these skills allows the student to be beyond skill acquisition by the time they are in kindergarten. The expectation is that most children will be able to understand the basic vocabulary of technology, will be able to operate it in known programs, will be able to use it to create (through KidPix or other creative software), and will know they can find out about things by using the internet. All of these skills are listed in one way or another in the Kindergarten TEKS for technology. For example, the learner is expected to "use a variety of input devices such as mouse, keyboard, disk drive, modem, voice/sound recorder, scanner, digital video, CD-ROM, or touch screen;" (K-2 TEKS, 2.A) This is exactly what is required by the guidelines. However, as the child becomes more competent, the level of competency with the equipment also increases, even though it is essentially the same skill. This is scaffolding, or building on existing knowledge, at its best. Each year the student is expected to do more with the skills he/she has, increasing knowledge and becoming more competent in navigating and using the technology. Using the devices continues until middle school, when the language changes to "demonstrates proficiency" and continues on to describe the equipment. This is in keeping with NCLB requirements for technology, which stipulate that all eighth graders must be technology proficient.