Unit 1: Computer (Keyboard & Mouse) Skills

Standards Assessed
(1) Creativity and innovation. The student uses creative thinking and innovative processes to construct knowledge and develop digital products. The student is expected to:
(C) explore virtual environments, simulations, models, and programming languages to enhance learning.

(4) Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. The student applies critical-thinking skills to solve problems, guide research, and evaluate projects using digital tools and resources. The student is expected to:
(B) evaluate the appropriateness of a digital tool to achieve the desired product.

(6) Technology operations and concepts. The student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of technology systems, concepts, and operations. The student is expected to:
(D) use a variety of input, output, and storage devices.

Enduring Understandings

Essential Questions
Overreaching…
  • Following a process ensures a meaningful product through the use of appropriate digital tools.
  • Students choice of equipment is determined by the task at hand.
Tropical…
  • Virtual environments and simulations create a visualization of complex systems and issues.
  • There are sets of vocabulary, rules and patterns that make computers and computer programs work.
Overreaching…
  • How will technology help solve the problem?
  • What is the right tool for the job?


Tropical…
  • What is a virtual environment?
  • How does a computer work?

Knowledge 

Skills 
The student will know...
  • Basic understand the functions of an operating system, and its components.
  • The importance of the OS's role in managing and operating programs.
  • Differences between input and output devices.
  • Basic software management process.
  • Proper hand placement for effective and efficient keyboarding skills.
The student will be able to...
  • To log in and out of the computer.
  • Create and label folders to place their documents and other files into.
  • Utilize the left/right click and scroll button correctly; properly control the cursor on the screen with the mouse.
  • Open and close applications properly.
  • Utilize a keyboard using the home-row position.

Performance Tasks  (main subject integration: Science)

  • Goal: Students will be able use their mouse skills and keyboard skills to create a series of pictures with captions describing the life cycle of an apple seed.
  • Role: Student
  • Audience: Students will show their work to parents at the student led conference and describe how the work was produced.
  • Situation: Students will show what computer skills they have mastered in technology class.
  • Product: A series of pictures with captions describing the life cycle of an apple seed.
  • Standard: See Technology Standards