Today, we understand paper is a critical tool used in every aspect of life and yet, as important as it is, there isn't a need to teach much about it in school. Rather than treat paper as some glorious idol that we gather-round to study, we simply use paper in our learning activities just as we use it in our every-day activities. While some students need to understand how to make paper, run a printing machine, or bind a book, most students can simply take paper for granted, learning all their paper skills simply by using it.
The computer is like paper. Students need basic skills before they can read a book or write words. Then they need access to the computer as they use it for their work in various subjects. The following table explains each of the three areas where the computer is used in education. This framework was developed by Wynn Smith at Alliance Charter Academy.
| Basic Skills | Computer as a Tool | Technology | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acronym |
Gistof General Information Skills, Techniques, and Operation Fundamentals. |
Caatfor (pronounced "cat for") Computer as a Tool for... |
Techno (short for Technology) |
| If this were paper | Reading, Writing & Penmanship | literally everything | making paper, ink press, binding, journalism |
| Examples |
Mouse & Keyboard Local Search Browsing Word Processing File Navigation Menus System Adjustments Tablet Voice 3D Visualization |
Writing Composition Reference/Research Communication Photography Music Composition Music Sequencing Music Recording Video Editing Storyboarding CAD Accounting |
Programming Languages Boolean Algebra Digital Electronics Digital Communication Networking HTML Internet RFCs Relational Database Robotics Digital Streams |
| Course Catalog Example | Gistof: Learning to Type | Caatfor: Accounting I | Techno: Intro to Visual Basic |