I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion on this is...in the homeschool law for elementary you have to teach "educational technology". What would you consider something that covers this?
Michele
I am not an attorney. I am an educator and a mother. This is what I get from reading the requirements-- In looking at the Utah Code and Rules I did not see a specific definition provided for "Educational Technology." So what is "Technology." (Since this question was asked the Homeschool laws in Utah have changed. The homeschool parent submits a sign affidavit that they will be homeschooling. The choice of time, materials and methods to use in educating their children is theirs).
According to Merriam Webster's online dictionary:
1 a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering 2 <medical technology> b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge <a car's fuel-saving technology>
2 : a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge <new technologies for information storage>
3 : the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor <educational technology>"
In that regard and in a broad sense educational technology could include:
* Pen and paper are technologies such as: writing a journal, keeping a commonplace books (such as using composition books), nature notebooks, a Book of Centuries, a Book of Nations etc. All are applying educational technologies.
* Reading a book would be applying the technology of reading.
* Living math would be applicational and therefore a technology.
In the idea of a whole education for a whole life and not just the stilted academic sense, one would include: the use, proper cleaning, maintenance of all appliances in the home, such as: clocks, thermostat, scales, thermometers, oven, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, sewing machine, serger, iron, phones, TV, whatever is electric and electronic that you own.
* Learning phone etiquette would be using the modern electronic technology of the telephone.
* Learning phone etiquette would be using the modern electronic technology of the telephone.
* Learning to ride a bike would be learning to use a transportation technology .
* Learning to use and using scissors and other tools are applied technology.
* Instituting the family tradition of making Christmas would be learning and applying many varied technologies...
Now, on a more narrow view of technology, some feel "Educational Technology" means learning to use computers. Simple! Here are some positive ways to teach children how to use computers and other common technology:
* Teach your children to use the card catalog at the library to find books on the subject of the week. Many libraries have their media catalog online and let library card holders search their stacks from home and even reserve items online for later pickup.
* Teach your children to use lds.org to find what the prophets have said on specific Gospel subjects.
* Children are usually 11 years old when they enter 6th grade and turn 12 years old while yet in elementary school. They would be entering young men and young women. Help them get an lds account and track their progress online.
* Children are usually 11 years old when they enter 6th grade and turn 12 years old while yet in elementary school. They would be entering young men and young women. Help them get an lds account and track their progress online.
* When your children do nature studies, teach them how to find the Latin name for plants by searching on the computer and using the computer as a giant field guide.
* Teach children how to use Sheppard Software to learn geography.
* Teach them how to use Khan Academy (free) to learn math at their own rate. http://www.khanacademy.org/ Caution: please do not rely on electronic technology as the only way to teach math. Make sure they learn how to and use the technology of applicational math or "living math."
* Teach your children how to access and evaluate online news. Perhaps they could blog their ideas on the a specific news piece.
* Get your children involved in family history work on Sunday or during the school week by creating a personal or family blog, blogging the events of the past week.
* Show your children how to prepare talks on Gospel topics using lds.org and thereby studying those topics and then show them how to save to pdf., electronically store, and print off talks.
* Teach your children how to access and evaluate online news. Perhaps they could blog their ideas on the a specific news piece.
* Get your children involved in family history work on Sunday or during the school week by creating a personal or family blog, blogging the events of the past week.
* Show your children how to prepare talks on Gospel topics using lds.org and thereby studying those topics and then show them how to save to pdf., electronically store, and print off talks.
* If you have a digital camera or video camera, help your children learn how to upload them to the computer and use digital formatting software to organize and utilize the pictures in files and on their blog.
* Teach Children online Safety.
* Teach or learn with your children how to use graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop, Paint etc.Then they can use this technology for presentations, gift making, home business (such as making flyers for babysitting, lawn moving, bread baking etc...), organizing their room, and as many uses as they can creatively consider.
* Teach Children online Safety.
* Teach or learn with your children how to use graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop, Paint etc.Then they can use this technology for presentations, gift making, home business (such as making flyers for babysitting, lawn moving, bread baking etc...), organizing their room, and as many uses as they can creatively consider.
* Learn and then teach your children Power Point and let them use power point to teach a principle in family home evening.
I personally do not feel that online gaming and social networking are appropriate during the school day for children. I also do not think they should be used as manipulative incentives for children. For when they are, it elevates their (gaming and social networking) importance to desirable status. Using more advanced technical electronic equipment is a privilege. When abused it should be lost. In the end, parents need to model proper use of technology.
I personally do not feel that online gaming and social networking are appropriate during the school day for children. I also do not think they should be used as manipulative incentives for children. For when they are, it elevates their (gaming and social networking) importance to desirable status. Using more advanced technical electronic equipment is a privilege. When abused it should be lost. In the end, parents need to model proper use of technology.
Of course, not every idea listed is appropriate for a young child in the early years. However, as children grow they can learn many, if not all of these things.
All in all, "Educational Technology" is a very broad subject, can be extremely useful, is simple to fulfill the requirement, and once mastered can be enjoyable and easy to use. Covering "Educational Technology" in both its broader and its more narrow realm can help prepare children for college, but more importantly can prepare them for a whole life!
~ Donna
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