CURRICULUM VISION
Technology is ever evolving.
From our personal lives to the workplace, technology is, and will continue to be, an integral part of our society. Because of this, it is vital that we prepare our students appropriately for the future and get them ready for lies ahead.
For even if they choose not to enter into a tech related profession, they will still find themselves dealing with various forms of technology in their everyday lives.
Additionally, it is imperative that we not only provide a curriculum that concentrates on tech content, but also places an emphasis on much sought after 21st Century Skills. Skills such as: problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, media literacy, flexibility, leadership, creativity, productivity, communication...
are crucial in molding students into productive members of society.
Whether students are grouped together in an effort to strengthen collaboration and leadership skills or given an activity without much instruction as a way of helping develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, just about every activity in my curriculum plan includes an element of 21st Century Skills.
Through my course of study, my teaching involvement, and my real-life experiences, I have established a core line of curricula to pull from when implementing my program.
Drones - Getting Ready for Flight
Great for developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as well as career preparation; the drone program starts with an introduction to aviation with a transition into flight and flight skills, with a potential culmination of flight certification.
Not only is the drone program a fantastic way to get students interested in technology in general, but also a great pathway into a very lucrative career that they can start taking advantage of while still in school!
Graphics Design - Adobe Photoshop
Creative expression unleashed in graphics design!
Whether students are simply creating artwork for pure enjoyment or utilizing design tools in an effort to produce graphics for school or industry, students will find that possessing the basic design skills of Adobe Photoshop is very valuable.
Basic Computer Skills
Basic computer skills are the most important skills that students can possess. Realistically, computer literacy should be taught at an intermediate level (perhaps even elementary), but it is never too late to teach and enhance these skills.
This particular unit is wide-ranging and includes everything from touch-typing and keyboard shortcuts, to knowing your way around Windows file explorer (including being familiar with file types, copying and renaming files), and knowing MS office basics (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).
Construction Systems
Even if a career in construction systems is not in our student's plans, they will still find that accumulating experience with the trades will be immensely useful.
The ability to fix minor repairs around the house will be a huge money saver for our future home owners!
And beyond learning these basic skills for personal use, providing an alternative pathway for students to follow, aside from obtaining a 4-year degree, could lead to a rewarding and prosperous career.
3D Print & Design
Starting with an introduction to 3D printing and how the process works, students then transition into researching pre-made objects using the internet, download the files, and then use slicing software to prepare the objects for printing.
Students then receive an introduction to design software, such as TinkerCad or Makers Empire, where they will create and print their own three dimensional objects.
The unit culminates with the students exploring industry standard software, such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360, as they develop an understanding of the advanced features professional design software can provide.
Credit to G.M. from Mr. Rucinski's 6th grade STEAM class
Discovering Animation
In Discovering Animation students are introduced to video editing through Microsoft's Video Editor software. Students will become producers, directors, and voice actors as they create their own short movies.
As a leadup to producing a stop motion video, students will also discover how to create simple animated works such as thaumatropes and flipbooks.
Communication and presentation skills will further be developed as students share their animated projects in a student showcase.
Career and Financial Management (CFM) and
Business Exploration
As a possible collaboration with the business department or as a stand-alone unit within a technology class, CFM and Business Exploration is a useful course for all of our students to experience.
Students will find skills and knowledge obtained through this curricula particularly useful as they advance through their schooling, enter the workforce and assimilate themselves into adulthood.
Lessons ranging from career readiness to financial management to social media literacy will help prepare students for life, and perhaps even be a springboard to launching a future business!
- Business Education Lesson Plans
Embracing Technology
Cell Phone and Social Media Etiquette
Whether it's parents using a tablet to entertain toddlers, pre-teens communicating with friends through SnapChat, teenagers broadcasting themselves on Tik Tok... kids are introduced to this technology at a very young age, with very little guidance and oversight, and are just expected know how to handle it.
Rather than being disparaging, maybe we should accept this notion that technology has permeated our children's lives and it is never going away. Perhaps it is time to embrace its usefulness.
Our youth will be better served by teaching them how to use these tools safely and responsibly, rather than turning a blind eye and only addressing situations when things go awry.
We can still emphasize the ramifications of too much and/or improper use of technology, while being supportive of its benefits.
Certified STEAM application
Engineering/Design and Financial Management
with PLANET COASTER
Students design and create their own interactive amusement park using the award-winning STEAM gaming software PLANET COASTER.
This experience allows students to plan, design, build, and operate their own amusement park, teaching them elements of engineering, physics, financial management, graphics design, and more!
Rather than being introduced as a stand-alone unit, the approach to this module would be to present PLANET COASTER to students early on and allow them to work gradually at their own pace over the course of the year.
Coding with Sphero Mini and Ozobots
Students encounter the excitement of programming robotic balls with the flick of a finger or the swipe of a marker.
Armed with all of the tools needed to code and program their robots, students learn the importance of being precise and accurate with their coding method.
Starting with a draw program and moving into block coding, this module provides a solid foundation in getting the students to understand how coding works before eventually introducing them to basic text coding.
