Learning through Technology

Computers are becoming more and more integrated into education and life. Everywhere you go from Wal-Mart to textile cooperations, computers are a large part of their business. So, it becomes very important to teach children computer skills. At a kindergarten level we teach students the basic use of the computer through learning programs. They not only learn computer skills but they also learn math, reading,and language skills through technology. They learn hand-eye coordination while using the mouse, and become familiar with the keyboard. The children will learn to care for the computer and other electronics. They will explore multimedia through computer operations. The program, Math Missions: The Race to Spectacle City Arcade that we would like to have will cover grades K-2 math curriculum. The program contains 12 math activities that build skills in: Counting and place value, measurement, time, and money, sorting and classifying, addition and subtraction, shapes and more. The program has animated characters who lead them through the program to learn these math skills. Students tackle fun math challenges in the stores of Spectacle City. I am a kindergarten teacher in Marion, North Carolina. Our student population is around 257 kindergarten through sixth grade. We're a small school but very successful in teaching our students what they need to know to be prepared for life. We have 58% of our students on free or reduced lunch. Most of our student population has parents that work in factories. We have also just been told that a neighboring plant will lose 300 positions. This will affect our students and their families greatly. So, our goal is to educate the children in as many skills as possible to help them become college bound. We would like a wide selection of computer technology for our younger students. This will help them learn the basic computer skills. Thus allowing them to do more hands-on computer activities in the upper grades.