Teaching Technology Skills in Our Schools

In today’s world, we’ve grown comfortable with electronic devices and have come to rely on the technology that powers them. But there’s a gap between using the technology and understanding it. And it’s having that level of understanding that will lead our students to success in their future jobs.

“In the education world, many think we should be doing hands on learning like with electronics. In a large part, coding has become a fall back. It gets even kindergarten students thinking that way,” said Charles Buck, the Associate Vice President and Center Executive Officer for the University of Idaho.

While teaching technology, including software coding, is not going to make everyone a computer programmer, learning technology skills is a part of our world that students need to navigate.

“If you think of computers as a language – all of us can read, but most of us can’t write it,” he said.

The tide is changing in Idaho’s public schools, and Buck credits the Idaho Technology Council (ITC) for expanding the state’s ability to teach business and technology. The ITC negotiated a statewide contract with the organization Code.org which provides online lesson plans for kindergarten through 12th grade. Teacher training to offer the code.org curriculum is offered through the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA).

Introducing Code in Our Classrooms

ITC’s primary goal is to facilitate teaching computer science in Idaho’s public schools.

“Idaho was the first state that formed a national state agreement with Code.org. We did that through IDLA to help make connecting points with technology and schools,” said Jay Larsen, CEO and Founder of the ITC.

He said that the governor and state legislature approved a $12 million STEM Action Center (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs). The center will focus on developing innovative ways to integrate STEM education in Idaho’s public schools.

Learning code, or at least becoming familiar with it, is something Larsen believes is a necessity for today’s students to thrive in a competitive workforce. The ITC has helped train 170 K through 5 teachers in how to implement technology skills in the classroom. Ideally, he’d like to see the current elementary population obtain stronger technology skills as they progress through school.

“Computer science is very foundational, but only 7 to 8 percent of schools teach it,” he said. “Two of the top jobs out of college are in computer science. It’s used in every industry. This is a space that is critical to fill in every state.”

Learning code also teaches students about problem solving and critical thinking. Larsen hopes that eventually schools will offer computer science classes a core class.

“The hope is that kids get inspired,” Larsen said.

CDA School District Future Changes to Curriculum

At present, the Coeur d’Alene School District requires that most elementary students receive instruction at least once weekly at the computer laboratory. There, students learn navigation skills, keyboarding and digital citizenship – how to behave online, be safe and maintain privacy. This year, they are also including lessons from Code.org.

“It’s amazing how it’s taking off. Math and science (teachers) are integrating computer science into those lessons,” said Seth Deniston, Director of Technology for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.

At the high schools, they have a variety of technology electives from which students can select to fulfill a one credit requirement. But Deniston said they are in the midst of revising some of the technology requirements for the district and currently have a draft with the school board for approval. The new requirements include adding components in computer science, digital citizenship, creativity and innovation and communication and collaboration.

“By revising it, we’re looking toward the future to see what will be required. At baseline, our students need an understanding of how programs are created,” he said.

Learning computer science means being computer literate. With the ubiquitous use and reliance of smartphones, students should become familiar in how to create the apps they utilize. He added that learning computer “soft skills” is also important. These include communication and listening skills and customer service.

Post Falls: Increasing Exposure to Technology

Post Falls has set goals to improving the accessibility their teachers and students have to acquiring technology skills. Their goals include training staff and teaching students to be informed researchers and effective users. The school aims to have students become familiar and responsible with computer applications and also develop proficient communication skills via technology systems.

The courses offered include Microsoft IT Academy, computer graphics, web design and computer science. Students in the Microsoft IT Academy receive six certification credentials showing technology mastery. In a recent school newsletter about the latest class to complete, PFHS Business & Marketing Technology Teacher was quoted as saying, “We’re committed to providing our students with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills so they can pursue higher education, and secure jobs that contribute to the economy and their communities,” said Angie Blair.

Fernan STEM Academy: A Different Approach

Fernan STEM Academy in Coeur d’Alene incorporates technology in the classroom as much as possible. They have multiple devices to aid instruction. Students use computerized learning programs for daily math and reading, but their purpose is to supplement, not replace, instruction, noted Principal Bill Rutherford.

“Our belief is that nothing can replace the interaction between a student and a teacher and that students must work in collaboratively teams to create well-rounded learners,” he said.

Students of all ages practice coding on a weekly basis. The underlying purpose is to understand how technology works. “Many of our students want to become game, app or program designers and coding offers a basic introduction into that world. Plus, it offers students another language to communicate,” he said.

Lakeland: Developing Knowledgeable Users

At Lakeland schools, teachers also use a variety of tools to supplement instruction such as Google classroom, where teachers and students can communicate and post lesson assignments. Current requirements at the high school level include keyboarding and navigation of computer application, comprising of desktop publishing, webpage design and internet technology.

“It’s fairly rigorous and includes anything you’d use in an office,” said Georgeanne Griffith, Director of Information Systems for the district. While they do not require computer science, they have it as an elective in addition to classes from Code.org.

There are no firm requirements at the elementary level. The district offers the keyboarding program, “Typing Agent,” but any other technology skills taught are dependent on the teacher, Ms. Griffith explained. Keyboarding is a requirement in the junior high grades.

Ms. Griffith underscored the importance of having knowledgeable users of social media and having an awareness of cyberbullying and online privacy.

“There’s a percentage of kids who will want to get into the coding … It’s probably important that all kids have a basic understanding for the logic,” she said. She’d like to see the school district provide every student with an electronic device to aid in their studies as textbooks do, but the money to fund that is difficult to come by.

All CDA, Post Falls and Lakeland high school students have the opportunity to attend the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) where a track in computer networking is taught. However, technology in our schools is increasing and an introduction to code and an understanding of how our technology works is coming to the forefront of our education needs. We can no longer take technology for granted. An understanding of it is required for a successful future of our young generation and our future economy.

To learn more about technology skills for any age, visit Code.org for free online lessons.

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