We believe that students at St. Mark's should be prepared for the future through the use of a technology integrated curriculum.  As digital natives, students are immersed in technology in their everyday lives.  St. Mark's believes in the importance of preparing students to be successful in the technology-dense global society.  As learners in the digital world, the use of technology at St. Mark's advances digital equity, enhances student learning, and is relevant to students' lives.

Standard 1: Knows the characteristics and uses of computer hardware and operating systems

Benchmark 1. Knows the basic functions of hardware (e.g., keyboard and mouse provide input; printer and monitor provide output; hard drive and removable media [e.g., jump drive] provide storage; the CPU processes information)
                   
Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that some computer hardware, such as keyboard and mouse, are used for input
    2. Knows that some computer hardware, like printer and monitor, are used         for output
    3. Knows some computer hardware, such as hard drive and removable         media, are used for storage
    4. Knows that some computer hardware, like the CPU, processes         information

Benchmark 2. Uses proper fingering for all keys, beginning from the home row, maintaining proper posture while using the keyboard

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Uses proper fingering for all keys when keyboarding
    2. Begins from the home row when keyboarding
    3. Maintains proper posture while using the keyboard

Benchmark 3. Knows potential hazards to computer media (e.g., damage caused to drives and removable media by magnetic fields, dirt, and dust; caused to computers by excessive heat, smoke, and moisture)
                   
Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that potential hazards such as magnetic fields, dirt, and dust can         damage computer media like drives and removable media
    2. Knows that potential hazards such as heat, smoke, and moisture can         damage computers
   
Benchmark 4. Knows basic facts about networked computers (e.g., computers can connect to each other via router and DSL lines, or through local network systems, or internet and intranet)

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that computers can be networked via router and DSL lines
    2. Knows that computers can be networked though local network systems
    3. Knows that computers can be networked through internet or intranet

Standard 2: Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs

Benchmark 1. Uses a word processor to edit, copy, move, save, and print text with some formatting (e.g., centering lines, using tabs, forming paragraphs)

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Uses a word processor to edit, copy, move, save, and print text   
    2. Uses a word processor to format text by centering lines, using tabs, and
        forming paragraphs
   
Benchmark 2. Makes back-up copies of stored data, such as text, programs, and databases

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Makes back-up copies of stored data, like text, programs, and         databases

Benchmark 3. Trouble-shoots simple problems in software (e.g., re-boots, uses help systems)

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Re-boots and uses help systems to trouble-shoot simple software         problems

Benchmark 4. Knows the common features and uses of databases (e.g., databases contain records of similar data, which is sorted or organized for ease of use; databases are used in both print form, such as telephone books, and electronic form, such as computerized card catalogs)

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows the common features and uses of databases
    2. Knows that databases contain records of similar data, which is sorted or         organized for ease of use
    3. Knows that databases are used in print form, such as telephone books,         as well as in electronic form such as computerized card catalogs   

Benchmark 5. Uses database software to add,, and to find information through simple sort or search techniques

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Uses database software to add, edit, and delete records
    2. Uses database software to find information through simple sort and         search techniques

Benchmark 6. Knows how formats differ among software applications (e.g., word processing files, database files) and (e.g., Macintosh, Windows)


Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows how formats differ among software applications, such as word
        processing files and database files
    2. Knows how formats differ among software operating systems like         Macintosh and Windows
   
Standard 3. Understands the relationships among science, technology, society, and the individual

Benchmark 1. Knows that technologies often have costs as well as benefits and can have an enormous effect on people and other living things

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that technologies often have costs as well as benefits
    2. Knows that technologies can have an enormous effect on people and         other living things

Benchmark 2. Knows that new inventions often lead to other new inventions and ways of doing things

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that new inventions often lead to other new inventions
    2. Knows that new inventions often lead to new ways of doing things

Benchmark 3. Knows that new inventions reflect people's needs and wants, and when these change, technology changes to reflect the new needs and wants

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Knows that new inventions reflect people’s needs and wants
    2. Knows that when people’s needs and wants change, technology changes         to reflect new needs and wants

Benchmark 4. Understands the concept of software piracy (i.e., illegally copying software), and that piracy is a violation of copyright laws

Knowledge/skill statements
    1. Understands the concept of software piracy
    2. Knows that software piracy is illegally copying software
    3. Knows that piracy is a violation of copyright laws

Benchmark 5. Understands that technology may affect the environment both negatively and positively
1.    Understands that continual development of new software and hardware results in          rapid turnover of computers and peripheral equipment, leading to disposal problems which may affect the environment negatively
2.    Understands that development of global communication systems may result in exchange of new ideas and methods of reuse and recycling of computers and peripheral equipment, which may affect the environment positively