MA+Tech+Standards

Throughout high school, as students take courses to prepare themselves for college and the world of work, they should acquire increasingly sophisticated technology skills. Depending on the pathways and courses they choose to take, high school students will become more adept with certain technology tools than others. Moreover, as the curriculum demands more complicated learning tasks, students will discover advanced capabilities in tools such as database and spreadsheet applications. Starting in high school, students are selecting specific courses to prepare themselves for college and/or entry into the world of work. To accommodate the needs of high school students and teachers better, this publication lists technology skills for all the high school years together, rather than listing the skills by individual grade levels. Teachers should integrate the appropriate technology skills into their courses to help their students learn those subject areas and/or prepare for those careers. During high school, students should have the opportunity to use more specialized technology tools that enhance their learning. These might include simulation software, geographic information systems, computer-aided design software, or any of a wide variety of content-specific tools. In addition, students should have the opportunity to learn how to write code in a commonly used programming language. By the completion of high school, students should have developed an appreciation for the capabilities and capacities of technology, as well as an understanding of how these tools can be used for lifelong learning. In addition, students should be knowledgeable about the role technology plays in various fields of work, enabling them to better plan for their careers in the 21st century. ||
 * ** Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards **
 * Grades 9 through 12 – Technology Standards and Expectations **
 * **// Standard 1. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and applications, as well as an understanding of the concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity. //** ||

G9-12: 1.6 Demonstrate keyboarding techniques, 6 including the use of keyboard shortcuts, to complete assignments efficiently and accurately. (For students with disabilities, demonstrate alternate input techniques as appropriate.) G9-12: 1.13 Save database files in various formats. G9-12: 1.27 Use search engines and online directories. Explain the differences among various search engines and how they rank results. G9-12: 1.28 Explain and demonstrate effective search strategies for locating and retrieving electronic information (e.g., using syntax and Boolean logic operators). G9-12: 1.32 Identify technology tools (e.g., authoring tools) that can be used to create a multimedia product. G9-12: 1.33 Use a variety of applications to plan, create, and edit multimedia products (e.g., slide presentations, videos, animations, simulations, podcasts). G9-12: 2.1 Demonstrate compliance with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy. G9-12: 2.6 Give examples of the appropriate and responsible use of communication tools (e.g., chats, instant messaging, blogs, wikis). G9-12: 2.7 Discuss misuse of technology for personal and commercial reasons (e.g., software piracy, unauthorized file sharing/downloading, virus spreading, and hacking); explain possible consequences G9-12: 2.13 Describe and use safe and appropriate practices when participating in online communities (e.g., discussion groups, blogs, social networking sites). G9-12: 3.1 Devise and demonstrate strategies for efficiently collecting and organizing information from electronic sources. G9-12: 3.4 Search for information within an electronic source (e.g., using the find command). G9-12: 3.5 Explain and demonstrate how specialized technology tools can be used for problem solving, decision making, and creativity in all subject areas (e.g., simulation software, environmental probes, computer-aided design, geographic information systems, dynamic geometric software, graphing calculators, art and music composition software). G9-12: 3.6 Use a variety of media to present information for specific purposes (e.g., reports, research papers, presentations, newsletters, Web sites, podcasts, blogs), citing sources. G9-12: 3.7 Demonstrate how the use of various techniques and effects (e.g., editing, music, color, rhetorical devices) can be used to convey meaning in media. G9-12: 3.8 Use online communication tools to collaborate with peers, community members, and field experts as appropriate (e.g., bulletin boards, discussion forums, listservs, Web conferencing).