Pre-K - Is That Where It Starts?

The Pre-K Technology Application TEKS provide students with a good foundation for technology applications in the years to come. The students expectations, referred to as End of Prekindergarten Year Outcomes, start at the basic level teaching students skills such as, naming and using input devices. At this level students are exposed the vocabulary that is necessary in the later grades for the basic computer components. During grade K-2, students will be expected to use this technology terminology that is appropriate for their assigned task as well as appropriately use these computer hardware components. In Pre-K, the children will be exposed to software programs in which they are expected to create writing and drawings, in the later years students will be expected to use these same programs to express their own ideas on given topics. During grades 6-8, these same students will be expected to use appropriate computer based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems. Exposing them to the software at such a young age is beneficial to them when they reach this stage. At the end of their Pre-K year, students will understand how to open and navigate through certain software programs; they will use this knowledge to meet the K-2 expectation of starting and exiting programs and creating, naming and saving files. Children at this level will also be exposed to voice/sound recorders and touch screens, this exposure will assist them when they are expected to use software programs with audio, video and graphic to enhance learning experiences in grades K-2. The Pre-K Technology Application TEKS lay a solid foundation that will help ensure students are successful at meeting the Technology Application TEKS throughout their educational career.