Instructional Technology

Students in Computer Lab
Middle School Instructional Technology


During the Middle Grade years, technology should be interwoven into the existing curriculum with teachers and students making use of electronic resources to explore subject area topics. Google Apps are provided to allow seamless communication and collaboration among students and teachers.  These applications (including search, Docs, the Presentation tool, E-mail, and Sites) should form the technology platform for students to master the new Information and Technology Essential Skills.   Please see the recommended resources for teaching the Essential Standards for Information and Technology middle school level.   
 
 
 
  
Use the links in the table below to access Common Sense Media's free, comprehensive resources to educate your students about the three CIPA required topics: 1) appropriate online behavior, 2) safety and privacy, and 3) cyberbullying. These resources contain lessons, complete with supporting student handouts, videos, assessments, and parent tips.
 
Required/Recommended Cybersafety Lessons for Middle School:
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Two 45 minute lessons per grade per year

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Additional Recommended Lessons

Grade

Required Lessons

Grade

Recommended Lessons

6

·         Safe Online Talk

·         Strong Passwords

6

·         What’s Cyberbullying?

·         A Creator’s Rights

·         Identifying High-Quality Sites

7

·         Trillion Dollar Footprint

·         Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line

7

·         A Creator’s Responsibilities

·         Crawling the Web

·         How to Cite a Site

8

·         Which Me Should I Be?

·         Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding

8

·         Rework, Reuse, Remix

·         The Key to Keywords

·         Sticky Sites
 
  
Suggestions for Program Use in the classroom/lab:
      • The district has purchased Type to Learn 4 for all elementary and middle schools.  This is an Internet version and can be installed on ANY computer in the school. Please contact angelagrantham@wcps.org if you need assistance in setting up the software.  
      • Teachers (elementary and middle) may earn professional development hours by completing the entire typing course. 
    • WCPS's Google Suite of Applications (referred to as Google Apps) (gr. 5-12)
      • Every Student and teacher in the middle school and high school has access to the WCPS Google Suite of Applications which currently include Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Email, and Google Calendar. 
      • To access these applications, go to
      • Please create a link to our WCPS Google Application Suite on each computer you or your students use.  To create a desktop Icon and link:  Click on the active link above and it will open to the Google Apps Start Page> click on File > send > Shortcut to desktop. 
      • Google Docs offers word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software for students and teachers to use to communicate and collaborate on classroom and homework assignments.