I enjoy surfing the internet looking at what other schools are doing for their technology in the classroom. More specifically Lutheran schools. The following is from my recent search:

The technology curriculum is organized in the following manner:

1. First and Second Grade children are introduced to the fundamentals of the computer. They learn to identify and locate computer parts and learn the functionality of the mouse and keyboard.
2. Third and Fourth Grade children are introduced to the fundamentals of computer applications using a structured text book and workbook. Proper keyboarding techniques begin in Third grade and continue through eighth.
3. Fifth Grade students are introduced and use extensively the Microsoft Office Suite of products using a structured text book and work book. Primarily focusing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
4. Sixth Grade students continue with the Microsoft Suite of products with emphasis in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
5. Seventh Grade students enhance their Microsoft Word skills and are introduced to the Internet and database software such as Microsoft Access.
6. Eighth Grade students are evaluated in all applications of the Microsoft Office Suite to prepare them for the challenges of high school.

From the outside view, this looks great. It is much more than many Lutheran schools are doing and so many public schools. But it is very limited. This is what my school is like. Very limited overall to the projects and learning the student do. I am not saying Microsoft Office is a bad thing to learn. I use Office all the time, every day. I do know I have 07 on my personal laptop and the students use 03 on the computers. Those two versions are completely different. I have a hard time finding where in 03 the tools I want, because I know where they are in 07. I am not sure how this school does their lesson, if they are like Future Kids, which my school uses (ugh). Or the teachers have the students create original projects using Office. By the look of it They are using some type of cookie cutter mold for the early grades.

After I grazed around this school website, which seems like they have a nice lab. I stopped by a fellow Lutheran teachers latest wiki for his school. On the wiki he lists his goals. See how drastically different they are from the goals listed before.

1. The ability to use technology in God-pleasing ways for ministry and personal productivity, and in keeping with good digital citizenship practices
2. The ability to analyze information and sources critically for accuracy and relevancy
3. The ability to communicate effectively through the spoken word
4. The ability to communicate effectively through the written word
5. The ability to collaborate effectively with others — even with those whom you may not personally know
6. The ability to be self-motivated to be a life-long learner
7. The ability to create, innovate, and problem solve independently and collaboratively
8. The ability to act and think globally

Instead of prescribed word for word orders, the students are given a little leeway to think more. This list of what they will be integrating throughout the day instead of having a computer class one day a week for an hour in the computer lab. So look at what you are doing in your school. What group of lists would you fall in, the 20th century or 21st century way?