Learning to use technology is best done when students have a foundation in basic skills. These skills do NOT necessarily involve using technology, and in many cases are better learned without technology.
Key Foundational Skills
Learning New Things
It is the understood norm that things in the technology world change fast. Students who are able to learn new things faster have the advantage over others. And if they learn to enjoy learning at an early age it can make the process of learning an enjoyable activity rather than a chore.
- Introduce different areas of learning often - go wide, no necessarily deep all the time (although deep learning is important also)
- Allow students to explore - give opportunities for your children to learn new things on their own, working with cutting edge technology often will require them to be able to learn where there are no guides for them
Reading
To learn new things often requires reading. Although you can find a YouTube video on almost every topic, in the tech world there is usually more written material than recorded material. You must be a fluent reader. The only way to become fluent is to do it often.
- Use literature-based curriculum (in multiple core subjects)
- Encourage reading to learn new things (not just related to curriculum)
- Demonstrate the importance of reading by reading yourself (including reading stories to your children - but also have them read stories to you or other siblings)
Math
Students usually do better in technology careers (or fields that use technology) if they have a good foundation in math. Make sure that you find a math curriculum that works well for your individual student.
- Ensure that you use a curriculum that matches your students learning style
- Be active in mathematics education - if you don't engage in it your children won't
- Don't rely completely on software mathematics education or co-op teachers - use them to supplement, or learn along with your students
Logic / Reasoning
One of the most challenging aspects of getting a job in technology is the ability to problem solve. If you don't have the ability to resolve an issue, you won't last long in any technology career (or many other careers). Intentionally introducing logic and reasoning into your elementary education plans is one of the best ways to help your child do well when they begin learning technology skills.
- Math Logic Puzzles - combine math with deductive reasoning to strengthen critical thinking
- Sudoku and KenKen - logic games that challenge students to think systematically
- Printable Logic Puzzles
What? No Computers?
It would seem logical that to have your children learn technology you could just give them a technology device (laptop, tablet, etc.) and have them figure out how to use it. Although that usually does result in them learning the basics of how to turn the thing on and get it to do things, research has shown that this approach has many down sides. It doesn't encourage them to learn the basic foundational thinking skills, as listed above, and also can very easily lead to addition to the devices and other side effects (ADD, HD, etc.).
Just as it would not be appropriate to give your child the keys to your family car when they are 5 and expect them to learn to drive it and maintain it by the time they turn 16, turning a young child loose on electronic devices. Instead, just as children learn important skills related to driving during their elementary years (looking both ways before crossing a street, observing surroundings so you don't get lost, what red/yellow/green lights mean), children can equally learn important skills related to technology without ever picking up the device - and often learn it better without the distraction of the device.
Some Resources
Printable Math Logic Puzzles
- Printable-Puzzles.com
- PuzzleBaron.com
- MathIsFun.com
Sudoku
- Sudoku.com
- Puzzles.ca
- dadsworksheets.com/puzzles/sudoku.html
KenKen
- math.msu.edu/Outreach/resources/kenken-puzzles.aspx
- krazydad.com/inkies/
- kenkenpuzzle.com//makesmathfun