New Technology Course Designed for Students at Cassville
In addition to physical education, art, music and library, Primary and Intermediate students at Cassville School will now have a special class devoted to technology.
The central focus for the technology course is to develop basic keyboarding skills as well as begin educating students about digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship empowers students to think critically, behave safely and practice responsibility while utilizing technology. Students will learn technology and internet vocabulary, internet safety and how to safely perform an internet search.
“At Cassville R-IV, our goal is to provide students with the tools needed to be successful when they leave our district,” stated Jill LeCompte, Cassville Schools Assistant Superintendent. “We believe technology is a tool that is needed to ensure success. We want all of our students, from the youngest to our senior high, to feel comfortable and competent when using technology. The addition of the technology courses at our primary and intermediate campuses will help us achieve that goal.”
At Eunice Thomas Elementary, the course is taught by Mrs. Sara Robertson. Mrs. Robertson is new to the Cassville District, however, has nine years of experience in the education field, including serving as the Assistant Director at KidStuff Preschool in Joplin as well as teaching fourth grade.
In the intermediate building, Mrs. Cheryl Gianino is the instructor for the new course. Mrs. Gianino has been employed with the district for 15 years. She previously served as an Instructional Assistant for the Intermediate School.
While in Technology, kindergarten students will learn how to turn on and off a computer, the correct way to open and close programs, how to use a mouse and begin learning basic keyboarding skills such as correct posture and number and letter recognition.
First grade students will review skills that were introduced to the kindergarten class as well as build on keyboarding skills.
Second grade students will continue to expand on keyboarding skills and will follow the “Keyboarding Without Tears” program.
In addition to digital citizenship, Intermediate students will focus on expanding their keyboarding skills and the importance of good posture while sitting at the computer. Students will utilize the “Mavis Beacon” program.
Both “Keyboarding Without Tears” and “Mavis Beacon” are web-based programs that teaches these skills in a fun, game-like format.
“Being comfortable using the keyboard is vital for our students” stated Mrs. Gianino. “We spend the majority of our time practicing keyboarding.”
Students attend Technology one time per week for a 50 minute session.
“The best part about teaching this class is to see how excited our students become when they learn a new skill. They are all very interested in learning about technology and it is neat to see their excitement when they get to sit down at their very own computer,” said Mrs. Robertson.