Tech Teachers - Come on in!

[JMStan]

Hi there,
I'm a 7th grade tech teacher in CT.

My background:
I graduated with an econ degree, couldn't stand econ so I went to my backup plan, which was Corp. IT work. Man just couldn't stand that corp. atmosphere, so then I went to 3rd grade for a year. WOW those kids were tough, teaching all those things to them all day long.......I decided it wasn't for me.

So I decided to combine the two things I seem to enjoy, working with kids + working with computers. So far I can say this year has been the best year of my life, I'm 25 and finally can say I enjoy my job.

The point of this thread:
I'm hoping to talk to some other tech teachers about what they specifically teach! I work in a private school so there's no real curriculum I have to live up to. Myself, my boss, and my co-worker came up with the overall goals for technology this year in my school. While I think we do a good job of teaching the basics to the 7th graders (word, excel, powerpoint) I'm interested in seeing what others teach their 7th graders.

I'm currently taking masters classes in Education Technology at a college right on the border of NY/CT and I hope to get a lot of these answers from those classes. However I realize sometimes it's better to just learn from others, like yourselves...

So what do you teach and why? :)

[Flipp]

Hi,
I teach technology in a private school too! I've been teaching the basics as well. I also use INSPIRATION mind mapping software a great deal. My 8th grade students are using Windows Movie Maker right now, I filmed about 12 minutes of video during our school-wide "Field Day" the culmination of Catholic Schools Week, and now the kids are using that video to produce one minute video journalism pieces. We also use Google SketchUp and do some basic 3d modeling. Obviously the kids LOVE these last two projects.
I'm looking into some basic programming languages, and my goal is for them to design their own video games!

[Flipp]

Ohhh! I didn't talk about the 'Why'.
Basically I'm just looking for projects that get them excited about the computer and to see it as something beyond an expensive typewriter/portal to MySpace.

[busbus]

Flipp,

I am not a tech teacher; but, I work with classroom teachers and encourage them to help students to use computer technology as a learning tool. Most of our students are computer literate, so I suggest that you work with classroom teachers in developing ways of incorporating computer basics into their lessons and projects beyond just word processing.

Someone mentioned Inspiration software, there is also Kidspiration. There are so many things that students can be made to do with these programs beyond just word processing.

In addition to creating an i-Movie, how about Podcasting. Perhaps you and the teacher can help students to create and keep Electronic Portfolios that must have specific products in them. Then there are the Scavenger Hunts. Why can't students create there own? Students can be taught how to create their own software programs and to share them with other students in addition to creating games. How about setting up Blogs for students to express their views on "Big Ideas?"

These are just a few ideas which we use in my school district. Teachers can receive training on almost anything in computer technology for use in the classroom.

Whatever you do, have fun! :)