Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS

The Pre-K Technology Application TEKS include being able to open and navigate through software programs, use and name computer input devices, and operate voice/sound recorders and touch screens. They also involve the child being able to use software applications to create and express ideas, and recognize the information that is available through the use of technology.
The Pre-K Technology TEKS set the foundation for all other application TEKS that are to follow, and establishes the basics of technology use. The idea is to surround the students with technology, and provide regular access and exposure to technology. They help students develop techniques for handling and controlling various technology devices.
A spiraling or scaffolding curriculum is one that establishes a sequence of skills that a student is to acquire, and then consistently reteaches those skills in the years to follow, while introducing new skills and expanding knowledge. The Technology Application TEKS are an example of a spiraling curriculum. An example would be in the foundations strand with the TEKS that describes the use of computer input devices. The Pre-K TEKS states the child should be able to name a mouse, keyboard, voice/sound recorder, touch screen, and CD-Rom. In K-2, the student is expected to use them. By 3-5, the student is still responsible for those devices, but they should also be using a disk drive, digital video, and a scanner. In grades 6-8, the student must show mastery of the previous devices, but also use a track pad, microphone, and a joystick. In addition, each high school technology course includes each of these devices in the input device TEKS. This is just one area where spiraling and scaffolding is used in the Technology Application TEKS.