Published April 1, 2024 on the TI2 Blog.
ɫһ’s adopted resource for keyboarding and digital literacy instruction is Learning.com. An online platform that houses the district’s adopted digital curriculum for the Technology Applications TEKS in grades pre-K through 6, it provides students with interactive lessons in keyboarding, online safety, coding, and other tech skills, including the use of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and multimedia applications.
A was launched by technology integration & innovation (TI²) and the Office of School Leadership in 2022 in order to ensure that students’ keyboarding and digital literacy skills enable their demonstration of content knowledge and skills on online assessments.
Each year, TI² hosts a keyboarding contest to promote the keyboarding initiative and to recognize and celebrate the students, classes and campuses with the highest number of students participating and with the greatest number of students meeting ɫһ Keyboarding guidelines.
The primary goals of the contest are to:
- Increase students’ words per minute and accuracy so that they meet ɫһ keyboarding guidelines
- Encourage regular and consistent keyboarding practice in order to help students attain and maintain speed and accuracy
- Ensure students’ keyboarding skills empower them to effectively demonstrate their content knowledge on online assessments
This year’s contest ran from January 16 to March 8 and PK-6 students have launched 532,448 keyboarding lessons on Learning.com so far this year!
“The daily keyboarding practice helped students improve their accuracy and typing speed and students benefited from the direct instruction and guided practice. The Adaptive Keyboarding component of the curriculum encouraged independent practice among students. Students enjoyed viewing their performance after each session. The engaging game elements were a hit with our students.” – Andrea Garza-Santos, librarian at Blanton Elementary
Wafa Ihweil, librarian at Ashworth Elementary, also shared that “the keyboarding contest excited students and teachers and helped second graders get acclimated to their new Chromebooks.”
In addition to keyboarding, librarians leverage Learning.com in their digital citizenship and online safety instruction.
This year, STEM lab managers are using Learning.com during PLCs to introduce students to computational thinking and innovative design processes that are emphasized in the new Technology Application TEKS being implemented next school year.
Students are expected to break down the problem-solving process into four steps: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms. Students are expected to use innovative design processes to develop solutions to problems: plan a solution, create the solution, test the solution, iterate and debug the solution as needed, and implement a completely new and innovative product
PK-6 STUDENTS HAVE LAUNCHED 141,115 COMPUTER SCIENCE LESSONS SO FAR THIS SCHOOL YEAR!
“Both the Coding lessons and the keyboarding lessons are always exciting for the kids. I think they love the interactive content. I am always asked when are we going to do coding again.The keyboarding and coding ensured that students received engaging and targeted instruction, preparing them for success in our increasingly digital world.” – Wafa Ihweil, librarian, Ashworth Elementary
Given all the ways students can benefit from working at their pace through valuable Learning.com lessons, elementary teachers are encouraged to direct students to access Learning.com for 10-15 minutes a few times every week. Students access Learning.com as early arrivers, for morning work, during I&E time, indoor recess and when finishing assignments early.
Technology integration and innovation’s vision is for all ɫһ students to practice computational thinking and innovative design processes through engaging curricula and experiences that enhance problem-solving skills, foster curiosity, spark inspiration and cultivate resilience. Thank you to teachers and librarians who are making this a priority with their students!