NAC389.3905. Eighth grade: Technology and computers.

By the beginning of the eighth grade, pupils must know and be able to do everything required in the previous grades for technology and computers offered in public schools. Instruction in the eighth grade in technology and computers must be designed so that pupils meet the following performance standards by the completion of the eighth grade:

     1. For the areas of creativity and innovation, demonstrate creative thinking, build knowledge and develop innovative products and processes using technology, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Independently apply prior knowledge to develop new ideas, products or processes using digital tools;

     (b) Create an original work in a digital format to demonstrate personal or group expression;

     (c) Use digital models and simulations to answer questions or solve problems; and

     (d) Use technology to track trends, predict possibilities, and make and justify predictions using evidence, experiments and collaboration.

     2. For the areas of communication and collaboration, use digital media and environments to communicate and work in collaboration with other pupils, including pupils outside of the classroom, to support the learning of the pupil and the learning of other pupils, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Collaborate with other pupils to create and publish digital products for real audiences in a variety of digital environments;

     (b) Communicate information and ideas using digital text, images, sounds and video;

     (c) Create digital products in formats that are appropriate for specific audiences and purposes;

     (d) Use digital resources to communicate with other pupils and persons from a variety of cultures and places;

     (e) Contribute to a group project to produce original works or solve problems; and

     (f) Choose a method of interacting electronically for a specific goal or purpose.

     3. For the area of fluency of research and information, gather, evaluate and use information, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Use digital tools to plan and organize a research-based inquiry;

     (b) For a research project, use digital tools to plan a timeline, track the progress of the project and cite the sources the pupil used for the project;

     (c) Use techniques for advanced searches to locate, access, synthesize and evaluate information in multiple sources to create an original product;

     (d) Use digital tools to organize information with main ideas and supporting documents;

     (e) Evaluate and compare facts and opinions in different sources of digital content and describe the point of view of the content;

     (f) Choose and justify the use of appropriate digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks;

     (g) Use multiple digital tools to collect and process data to test theories and hypotheses; and

     (h) Use a variety of formats to report results and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of those formats.

     4. For the areas of critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using the digital tools and resources that are appropriate for the specific task, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Use digital resources to identify a problem that arises in an everyday situation and develop questions that will guide the pupil in the investigation of the problem;

     (b) Choose the appropriate digital planning tools for a project and use those tools to complete the project;

     (c) Use data, examine patterns and use digital tools to research a problem that arises in an everyday situation and present a solution to the problem; and

     (d) Use multiple processes to explore alternative solutions to and diverse perspectives on problems that arise in everyday situations and use digital tools to present a solution to the problems.

     5. For the area of the appropriate use of technology, understand human, cultural and societal issues relating to technology and practice legal and ethical behaviors when using technology, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Model legal and ethical behaviors while using information and technology, including, without limitation, properly selecting, acquiring and citing a resource;

     (b) Develop an argument for using technological resources in a safe, legal and responsible manner;

     (c) Explain the value of current and emerging technologies to persons, society and the world;

     (d) Assess the potential of current and emerging technologies to address personal, societal, lifelong learning and career needs; and

     (e) Describe principles of leadership and ways to use current and emerging technologies in a responsible manner to foster leadership skills.

     6. For the areas of technological operations and concepts, demonstrate an understanding of technological concepts, systems and operations, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

     (a) Explain the uses for and advantages of technological systems;

     (b) Demonstrate keyboarding skills by completing a variety of assignments in a timely manner;

     (c) Choose and justify the use of digital tools and resources to accomplish a variety of tasks;

     (d) Develop and apply strategies for solving common hardware and software problems; and

     (e) Apply prior knowledge of technology to a current or emerging technology to answer a question that arises in everyday situations.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Education by R038-00, 6-20-2000, eff. 7-1-2000; A by R008-10, 6-30-2010)