CHARLESTON CUSD #1: CURRICULUM PROFILE
7TH GRADE COMPUTER SKILLS
(REVISED AUGUST 2014)
This one semester course is designed to develop proper touch keyboarding skills and to introduce students to
word processing (Microsoft Word) and presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint). Students work toward meeting the
standards of the International Society for Technology in Education, as follows:
ISTE 1: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes
using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
ISTE 2: COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to
support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
ISTE 5: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical
behavior.
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
ISTE 6: TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies
KEYBOARDING
Students complete lessons using the software Applied Microtype 3.0 to practice touch keyboarding skills and
complete timed writings to determine their GWAM (gross words a minute) and accuracy.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS BASICS
This brief section familiarizes students with Microsoft Windows and provides them with the basic information
needed to move around the desktop and manage the files, folders, and other resources they work with on a daily basis.
WORD PROCESSING/MICROSOFT WORD
Word processing is using a computer and software program to enter and edit text in order to produce documents
such as flyers, newsletters, letters, and reports. Students learn the fundamental functions of Microsoft Word, as well as
basic editing and the formatting of text, paragraphs, and documents. They will learn helpful Word features and how to work
with tables, graphics, and drawing tools. Additionally, students learn to properly format one-page academic reports.
PRESENTATIONS/MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
PowerPoint is an application that helps people to create professional computerized slide shows to help a speaker
deliver a message in a presentation. Presentations can include text, pictures, SmartArt graphics, tables, charts, and media
clips. Students learn the fundamentals of PowerPoint and create short presentations with text and various kinds of
graphics, hyperlinks, animation, and slide transitions.