| TESTIMONIALS ABOUT TEXTBOOKS |
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| All K-8 technology books come in digital as well as print |
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| Although I am a veteran classroom teacher, beginning my first year of teaching technology was stressful because I did not have a clear picture in my head of where to begin. I purchased the entire curriculum of Structured Learning Technology Education Series (K-5) to help me get started. I like that the curriculum has a specific scope and sequence to build skills as we progress, and I love the many resources and ideas from author Jacqui Murray on her website, blog and weekly email tips to support the curriculum. By using the advice and resources of an experienced technology educator, I have stepped into a new position with a clear vision of what to teach, how to teach it, and when to teach it!
--Laura, veteran classroom teacher
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| All K-8 technology books come in digital as well as print |
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| Our school purchased the technology curriculum textbooks for grades K-5 for use in our technology classes, as well as for purposes of helping the K-5 teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. The curriculum is based on ISTE standards, is very comprehensive and is easy to follow. Inside each book, there is a scope and sequence for K-5 grades listing individual skills, noting whether it is introduced, being worked on, mastered and/or connected to classwork so that you have a great overview of what should be accomplished for each grade level. Each textbook also has an extensive list of website resources, with references to the website http://askatechteacher.com for links and updates. An extra bonus is that you can subscribe to askatechteacher and receive free weekly technology tips and websites. This is our first year using this curriculum, but so far we are very impressed with all that it offers. The customer service at Structured Learning is second to none as well. They are more than willing to assist in any way they can, often going above and beyond what is normally offered by a company. They offer digital copies of the textbook, as well as printed copies.
--Robin, teacher
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| All K-8 technology books come in digital as well as print |
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| I have been teaching for 20 years. This year I am in two new schools and was assigned to teach 1st through 8th grade technology. I see the 1st through 5th graders once a week. There was no curriculum, just curriculum ideas. I searched for the first half of the school year and was very frustrated by the lack of coherence in my lessons, and then about a month ago, found the Structured Learning Technology series. It has been a lifesaver for me. Even though I have only used 3 or 4 lessons, it has made my job so much easier. The students enjoy the activities. For me, the scope and sequence makes sense. The NETS standards are on every lesson making it easier to fit into my state standards. Each lesson builds on another. I am starting every grade at the 1st grade level and quickly progress through the lessons depending on skill levels. Students are excited about learning. We are using tools that are available to everyone. There are some software specific lessons but can be accomplished with a comparable software. It is up to date. The students are learning. They are problem solving. They are taking responsibility for their learning and are asking questions. There are less discipline issues because they are engaged. The progression makes sense. I only wish I had more time with each grade. But because I only have once a week, I give them an introduction and then know that the next year (the next series) will expand on the previous instruction. Customer service is an A+. They are knowledgeable and friendly. They are patient. They are prompt. I recommend this series to anyone who is teaching technology. (My two schools are listed below with an email for each school. I teach at Boyceville in the mornings with grades 7-8, along with high school, and teach in Prairie Farm in the afternoon with grades 1-12)
--Connie, veteran teacher
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Thank you for a great year learning computers. I am so impressed with what you have been able to teach this third grade class. I plan to have my daughter use her past assignments this summer to keep up the practice on the keyboard.
--Fourth grade parent
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Computers are very important to know because everything and everyone in the world uses them and they are a way of life. I think since knowing how to use a computer, I feel it is easier for me to type a letter to someone.
--Fifth grader after three years in the Structured Learning program
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The computer class was informative and fun. At first I thought it was a lot of information for third grades, but it was amazing how much they learned! Thank you!
--Third grade parent
This year in computer class, we learned many things. I enjoyed the Google Earth Board and Vocabulary Board, the PowerPoint projects because I think it's interesting to learn about that kind of stuff. Homework is fun, but I wish t didn't take so long. The (Publisher) tri fold was really fun.
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| We want to say how happy we are with how our son's computer skills have progressed. We especially love his enthusiasm for the subject as we know he will be using those skills in all aspects of his life. We love that sometimes he asks if he can do a PowerPoint presentation or work on an Excel spreadsheet instead of watching TV! Excel was a real eye opener for him because he loves numbers.
--Parent of a fourth grader after his son spent one year in the program
I want to say how impressed I am with the projects completed by the fourth grade. I found them engaging, fun and appropriate for their knowledge and skill level. In particular, I liked the Google Earth project where they found a landmark and chose a picture from Google Earth to print out. In addition, the (Publisher) tri-fold project was a great way to think back on their lives and create a relevant timeline. Thanks for such a good year!
--Another Fourth Grade parent
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| I no longer have to turn on the computer for my son and get him set up to do his homework. In fact, he's even shown me a thing or two. From computer vernacular, how to print and save documents, how to import graphics, increased ease of typing and familiarity with the keyboard--Jacob uses everything he learns. One of the third grade book reports was required to be typed. I feel he has a strong foundation of computer literacy that he did not have before your class. Thanks for letting us keep the workbook!
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This year I many things: I learned problem solving, so if I get stuck in MS Word or some other program, I'll know how to get out!. I know how to use Excel. What I like most is that I can find stuff on the internet. I can read the websites and pick the ones that are best for my projects. I'll use my newly-acquired computer skills in the future to succeed in school, on projects and to help my dad with his work.
| | We cannot express how thankful we are that our daughter had you as a teacher (and those great workbooks). Just the other night, she rescued her dad on the computer--that is how much her ability to figure out anything thrown at her has grown this year. From copy-paste to changing font, margins and borders, we are constantly impressed. The computer has become a giant book of knowledge waiting to be discovered . Computer class is absolutely necessary for her success in school, in classes and in projects. PS--and, it's fun! Which makes it easier to work at!
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I have learned so much that I don't even know where to start. First I learned how to make a magazine and a slide show. I have improved in my typing so much that I went from 40 words to 120 words in 5 months.You have taught me how to solve so many of my own problems on the computer. You also taught me how to make a pie chart on Excel for my state report. THANK YOU!!!
--Fourth Grader
| | Our son has gained much confidence in using the computer through the skills learned from you and the workbooks, not only doing the class projects, but also using those skills in doing research for the scouts and getting information using some of the search engines. I realize the class time is limited, but the skills have made a significant impact on Dominic. I hope to see him go through more in the future.
--Parent of fifth grader
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I love the workbooks. I really liked when we made the timecards and slide shows. I never knew you could right-click the mouse and copy a picture or something and paste it somewhere else. I also never knew how to minimize a page. I think the computer skills you've taught me will help me in the future by helping me with homework, finding things out, fun places to play, how to make things, and you've made me confident in my work.
--Third grade student
| | Your Grade Three Technology has been great for our son. Prior to your class, he usually just played educational computer games. When using programs or the Internet, he would stumble around and might eventually figure out what he wanted or needed to accomplish, but it would take a lot of time and frustration. Now, he loves exploring. One day, he reminded me to 'right click' on an image to copy it. It has opened a whole new world of fact finding for him. It's amazing that he has learned how to use PowerPoint--something I never really mastered when I was in the working world. Brett has learned many shortcuts that I was not aware of. Thank you for your efforts in Grade Three Technology Class. The skills our son learned will be used throughout his education well into adulthood and his chosen field.
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