6-8 Grade Technology Learning Targets
echnology , 6-8
ALT 1 - Empowered Learner - Knowledge Constructor
Leverages technology to take an active role in constructing relevant knowledge, producing creative artifacts, and making meaningful learning experiences. (ISTE)
AST 1.1 - Collaborative Learners : Builds networks of people and customizes their learning environments in ways that support the learning process using technology.
AST 1.2 - Relevance : Evaluates the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources to transfer their knowledge and explore emerging technologies.
AST 1.3 - Meaningful Connections : Curates information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.
AST 1.4 - Building Knowledge : Builds knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories, pursuing answers and solutions, and their impacts on the broader society.
ALT 2 - Creative Communicator
Communicates clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. (ISTE)
AST 2.1 - Platforms and Tools : Chooses the appropriate platforms and tools that meet the desired objectives of creation or communication.
AST 2.2 - Original Works : Creates original works or responsibly repurpose or remixes digital resources into new creations.
AST 2.3 - Communicating Complexity : Communicates complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
AST 2.4 - Customization : Publishes or presents content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.
ALT 3 Computing Systems-Networks and the Internet
Collects, presents and interprets data in order to devise improvements to a design on how humans use computers, networks and the internet.
AST 3.1 - Human-Computer Device Interaction : Devises improvements to the design of computing devices, based on an analysis of how users interact with the devices using HCI concepts such as ergonomics, accessibility and learnability. Example: Students make recommendations for existing devices or design their own interface considering usability and accessibility. (CSTA 2-CS-01)
AST 3.2 - Collect and Exchange Data With Computing : Creates designs that include the collection and processing of data from hardware and software components. Example: Uses a basic microcontroller to design an app that collects user information, processes it, and display a result. Students discuss systems design tradeoffs such as wireless vs wired connections. (CSTA 2-CS-02)
AST 3.3 - Problem Solving Strategies : Identifies and fixes problems systematically, using a structured process, with computing devices and their components. Example: Create a debug flowchart for a computing system used often by their class or family. Use a checklist to examine and troubleshoot issues with computing systems in their home or classroom. (CSTA 2-CS-03)
AST 3.4 - Physical and Digital Security Measures : Interprets data to better understand how protocols transmit information across networks. Explain how information that is stored online is vulnerable to unwanted access and how physical and digital security measures can be used to protect electronic information. Examples: Students brainstorm/research physical security measures and share which ones they would or wouldn't use and why. Students decide what information is of high value to them and back it up on an external drive. (CSTA 2-NI-04) (CSTA 2-NI-05)
ALT 4 - Computational Thinking and Data Analysis
Develops and employs strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions
AST 4.1 - Exploring-Finding Solutions : Formulates problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions (ISTE, CSTA 2-DA-07)
AST 4.2 - Data and Digital Tools : Identifies relevant data sets or collects data, uses digital tools to analyze them, and represents data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making. (ISTE, CSTA 2-DA-08)
AST 4.3 - Refine Computational Models : Generates a model using given parameters then using data produced by the model, then further modifies the model and discusses/analyzes the results of those changes to the data set. (CSTA 2-DA-09) Example: Students can use Bloxels and an iPad app to create a game. Once they play the game, they can refine their build to further customize and enhance it.
ALT 6 - Innovative Design
Uses the design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.
AST 6.1 - Define the Problem : Justifies the need for a solution to a problem, Constructs a research plan that analyses any similar products, and develops a design brief, which presents the relevant research.
AST 6.2 - Create a Plan : Outlines the success criteria for the design, creates a range of feasible design ideas, selects a design and develops accurate planning specifications for the creation of the chosen solution.
AST 6.3 - Create the Solution : Constructs a logical plan, demonstrates excellent technical skills when making the solution, describes testing methods to measure the success of the solution, follows the plan to create the solution, which functions as intended, and explains changes made to the chosen design and the plan when making the solution.
AST 6.4 - Evaluating the Solution : Explain success and improvements, describe the impact of the solution on the client/target audience
ALT 5 - Programming
Develops and implements computational processes
AST 5.1 - Using Algorithms To Solve Problems : Develops flowcharts and/or pseudocode to organize and sequence an algorithm to create an algorithm that solves a problem. Example: Develops a flowchart to recommend which movie to watch from a list of available movies based on a user's preferences. (CSTA 2-AP-10)
AST 5.2 - Variables Using Different Data Types : Creates clearly named variables that represent different data types and perform operations on their values and know the difference between decimal / integer strings. Example: Students write a conversion program using decimal, integer, and string variables. (CSTA 2-AP-11)
AST 5.3 - Combining Control Structures : Combines two or more conditions using logical relationship and nesting conditionals and develops multiple steps which combines control structures within a program. Example: When programming an interactive story use a compound conditional within a loop to unlock a door only if a character has a key AND is touching the door. (CSTA 2-AP-12)