home

Welcome to The Wilder Elementary School Technology Wiki

====My name is Carol Boorom and I am the technology teacher at Wilder Elementary School. Also, you can follow me on twitter, my username is cboorom. You may also want to check out the ISTE NETS Implementation wiki [] to learn more about implementing ISTE technology standards into the classroom.====

Why Teach 21st Century Skills in Elementary School
 Why teach 21st century skills in elementary school? Classrooms and schools look different than when we were little. In the early 1900’s, a person was considered literate if they could read and write, and calculate on a simple level. Within the last few years we consider literacy as encompassing reading critically, writing persuasively, thinking, reasoning, and problem solving. Now, the shift is towards being digitally literate. Digital literacy includes accessing information efficiently and effectively. It used to be that kids went to the library and a librarian helped them find appropriate information. Now, most kids go to the Internet to do research. No longer is someone telling them what information is correct and credible. This is where teaching research skills on the Internet become really important!  Another 21st century skill is cultural literacy and global awareness. Yet another goal for 21st century learning is the effective use of real world tools. The kids need to know which tool to use and how to use it. This can be anything from deciding whether to use Power Point, Excel, or Word to deciding to pod cast, blog, or create a video. The wonderful thing about technology in school is that it allows kids voices to be heard. Technology can take a mundane task and infuse it with excitement. Technology allows discovery. I find that if I tell kids something they are never as impressed as if they discover it themselves.  According to the 21st Century Workforce Commission National Alliance of Business, “ The current future health of America’s 21st Century Economy depends directly on how broadly and deeply Americans reach a new level of literacy—21stCentury Literacy—that includes strong academic skills, thinking, reasoning, teamwork skills, and proficiency in using technology”.  When I am planning my instruction, I use the ISTE NETS which are the national standards for technology education. They include creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making, and, digital citizenship, technology operations and concepts.   media type="custom" key="19042802"
 * Below is a slide show from Dan Mass our districts CIO that details the link between technology and student achievement.**