submitted By Erin Clary
As the demand for tech-savvy employees increases in the global market, the New Lebanon Central School District technology program gives students a competitive advantage in both college and careers. Many students learn computer programming beginning in third grade and all students have computer class beginning in Kindergarten.
Walter B. Howard Elementary students in David Hawkins’ classes begin with basic computer skills such as keyboard strokes and mouse skills such as the double click. This also helps to develop basic hand-eye coordination useful in all subject areas. Students take a computer class one day a week through Grade 6.
Beginning in third grade, students have the opportunity to learn computer programming. This is the background language or “code” used to create almost anything you’d see on a computer screen.
Hawkins teaches students to use Scratch, free software developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The kid-friendly program allows students to create their own games and animations, and complete “challenges” that develop their skills.
CompTIA, the IT industry’s professional association, produced “IT Industry Outlook 2015.” In it, the report reveals that roughly 68 percent of the 650 executives surveyed said they expect to face a challenging or very challenging hiring environment this year as they struggle to employ qualified technical staff members.
“It’s a competitive environment and this gives them the background knowledge on jobs and on the work they will do in the high school,” said Hawkins. “We’re giving them an extra edge when entering the workforce.”
“I’ve never seen this in elementary schools before,” said WBH Principal Andrew Kourt. “They will be so much more advanced when they get to the high school.”
Students can currently take computer programming at the Jr/Sr High School as well. Students learn about the hardware of the computer and use Excel for programming. Students use the program to make commands such as basic calculations, formatting and graphs. Some projects incorporate math skills and all require students to use reasoning skills.
While computer programming at the elementary is a relatively new offering, as more and more students start there, the skills will “trickle up,” allowing the high school programs like these to become more advanced.
Four years ago, high school technology teacher Rick Jason piloted a 12-week Computer Aided Design (CAD) course at WBH. Like computer programming, CAD uses a code called Boolean Logic to create commands that result in 3D designs. The course is offered at the high school level for university credit. He notes that the students who participated in that program that are now taking the CAD class at the high school are much more advanced than those who did not.
“I will individualize the course based on your skill level. If you’re coming in with a bag of skills I can take you places and we’ll soar,” said Jason. “These programs give kids options and broaden their opportunities, making them more marketable than those who don’t have these skills.”
In addition, the skills learned from computer programming include basic problem-solving skills, transferrable to any technical job.
“We don’t know what kind of jobs they will have in the future, but we do know that the jobs will require them to problem solve and fix mistakes,” said Hawkins.