Tina McKenzie
Snapshot
1st Grade Click Here
According to research students from Kindergarten to Second grade have demonstrated. Difficulty in operating simple click and drag motions when operating simple tasks on a desktop computer or laptop device. Students this age are still developing fine motor skills and mastering control of writing utensils, scissors and of course technology such as a mouse or touchpad. They need a mouse that more accurately fits their hand. Children this age have become accustomed to operating touch screen devices such as iPads and tablets. Most of the students in this age group have never seen a mouse and are unfamiliar. with the correct finger placement when operating this type of technology. Once entering school students are expected to complete assessments using devices they are unfamiliar with and this can cause assessment results to be skewed. We cannot expect students to automatically know how to operate these unfamiliar devices while simultaneously mastering skills needed to meet state standards for their grade level. If we expect this to be successful we must first provide them with technology that is simple and easy for them to use. Once they become familiar with these new tools we have provided they will be able to successfully show us the knowledge they have acquired. We will be able to accurately interpret the data provided instead of wondering if the data is a result of operator error or, if it is a true reflection of what students know. If we provide students with a special mouse that helps them determine appropriate finger placement, while also being the appropriate size for students of primary school age; online assessments will be a more accurate representation of what students know; teachers can begin to rely on the accuracy of assessment data to guide instruction; and students will enjoy working with technology in the classroom independently.
2022 Spring FIRESUMMIT
2021 Fall FIRESUMMIT