Comments on: ISTE 6: Are Basic Computer Skills Still Important?

By: Janiess Sallee

Janiess Sallee — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 00:30:42 +0000

You’ve done a nice job, Becky, of addressing the question of what role libraries play in advancing student computer skills. Personally, I like the idea of integrating computer skills with information literacy skills, using the classroom curriculum to guide learning, as the two work hand in hand. In short, enabling students to immediately integrate and apply their learning is immensely valuable.

You bring up some interesting questions in regard to the use of tablets at the end of your post. As someone who works in a BYOD environment without a school librarian, it gives me pause to review what skills are really of value. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and resources.

By: Annie Tremonte

Annie Tremonte — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 05:03:52 +0000

Great post Becky! I really think you hit the nail on the head with your acknowledgement that the necessary technology skills of today have not completely changed over the past twenty years. Rather, they have been updated and built upon. I also think there is a propensity to assume our students arrive to class with naturally occurring skills, chiefly because of their extensive social media use. We still need to address the fundamentals! Your comments about models of instruction were also astute. Although many educators work to align technology with core content curriculum, sometimes it is difficult to maintain the same technology expectations across classrooms if a building or district wide set of expected skills doesn’t exist.

By: Marsha Scott

Marsha Scott — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 02:35:50 +0000

Your new design looks wonderful, Becky! It seems like a librarian’s role has changed over the years, as computer skills and information literacy are now part of a library program.
I like how you added the questions/concerns at the end of your blog as it gives us something to think about. I was also thinking about the role of tablets in our schools. I can see where tablets would be beneficial in the younger grades but they would still need to learn keyboarding skills.
Thanks for sharing and great job!

By: Ryan Ingersoll

Ryan Ingersoll — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 02:20:52 +0000

Modesto = facepalm

Great post, Becky. You provide a strong case for role of the library while pointing out thing tools change and we will always need to provide resources and education. They need for technical skills is not going away. If students do not learn these skills, I fear, that they will be left behind as culture and society move forward with new innovation. The technical skills you discuss in your blog post will one day become as important as knowing the names of different colors they will be integrated into our life therefore we must pay attention to how we will continue to provide robust opportunities for students to learn the skills.