• How do the Pre-K TEKS lay the foundation for student performance in future grades?

The Pre-K Technology Application TEKS introduces the smallest of students to the basics they need to acquire a foundation and exposure to computers. In these formative years they develop the initial vocabulary, the ‘how-to’ of turning on, using and exiting programs, the use of the keyboard, mouse, voice/sound recordings and touch screen devices. They extend the requirement of listening and interacting from the classroom onto the computer screen. This is their beginning exposure to many software applications that assist them in the learning lesson cycle. Clearly the Pre-K TEKS lay the groundwork for the very young student to become intrigued and informed about the technology that will ensure them being a lifelong learner. This is where today’s Technology Immigrant is born and developed. Without it, our children will indeed be left behind in the 21st Century.


The Technology Applications TEKS are designed as a dynamic, spiraling curriculum. Describe a series of TEKS in which students have multiple opportunities to master knowledge and/or skills.

I have opted to review the spiraling curriculum through the Foundation Strand of the technology TEKS. First, the curriculum itself allows for the same requirement for three consecutive years, Kindergarten through 2nd Grade – thus allowing students to master the TEK, somewhat, at their own pace and allowing the ‘early emerging student’ to move into areas related to the 3rd-5th Foundation Strand. TEK 1.1A states use of technology terminology appropriate to task, very similar to the Pre-K guideline that states begins using technical terminology, such as ‘mouse’, ‘keyboard’, ‘printer’, and ‘CD-ROM’. In Kindergarten and 1st the student can continue to acquire a technology based vocabulary to include words such as CPU, ‘log off’, ‘password’, etc. In Pre-K the student sees the teacher accessing interactive storybooks and on-line text, then in Kindergarten they are expected to reenact the teacher’s modeling of accessing and saving files by creating and saving their own personal files. When we move into the 3rd-5th Grade TEKS the foundation states – “use of technology terminology appropriate to task. What, another two more years acquiring technology vocabulary? However, this year they get the opportunity to build on what they have learned the previous year and expand into digital files and cross platform connectivity. The spiraling is consistent throughout all strands across all grade levels. The student is not just thrown in front a computer and told, “here, figure this out”. They are given specific instruction and guidance until they are ready to explore on their own. Remembering they learned the laws and requirement of the internet as early as Kindergarten and reinforced in subsequent years to ensure compliance.