Pre-K TEKS

The pre-kindergarten TEKS cover the major areas of technology. They include the expectations that students will begin using hardware and software as a learning tool. Other expectations include that students will begin using proper technology terminology and visual cues to navigate through programs. The pre-kindergarten TEKS lay the foundation for all of the technology TEKS at the higher grades. Students are given the opportunity to become comfortable with both hardware and software. Although little hands have trouble grasping the mouse and using both the right and click button, they do learn that moving the mouse causes a related movement of the cursor on the computer screen. They can learn to open and close programs appropriately using the mouse and keyboard. By learning to navigate fun, graphic, educational software students learn some navigation basics. They soon become adept at moving around the screen, solving problems and making choices. By following visual clues within the software or graphic interface of the operating system, they are able to learn many basic skills.

The Technology Applications TEKS are designed to guide the introduction of technology skills from grade to grade. Skills spiral and scaffold on the skills before allowing for authentic learning experiences. For instance, pre-k students should be able to open and close a program; by the time the student is in grades 6-8 they should also be able to create, modify, print and save. Each successive grade cluster adds to the objectives and skills for the four strands.