Filsafat
Our elementary aged children are growing up in a technological world. It is an age of information and knowledge explosion. It is an age of computers in every home, if not in every room of the house. It is an age where young people more than ever need to be discerning about what information and knowledge is available (particularly, but not limited to) in the Internet and how this information challenges and relates to a biblical world view.
Our young people need to be equipped to use technology well and this begins with accurate and speedy keyboard technique, followed by basic word processing and design skills. In this Elementary Computer course we seek to equip the students with hands on skills in basic computing and the skills and judgment to make good and appropriate design choices in the production of a variety of tasks. Technology acquisition, having “the latest and the greatest”, is often subconsciously given a higher value than people. Our young people need to be able to distinguish between the created, which is of limited value and only lasts for a short time, and the Creator, who is to be worshiped above all, and is eternal. They need to know that people are made in God’s image, fearfully and wonderfully made and are of infinite more value than any technology that can be made by man’s wisdom and skill. Our
students need to see that God placed such a high value on their lives that He purchased them back for himself with the payment of His Son’s life and they need to respond to Him. Both co-operative and independent learning are encouraged.
Through the content of the daily tasks in class, we seek to bring the children’s attention to different themes, stories and promises from Scripture, and to see God around them in their daily life at school. In all that is produced, world views other than a biblical one will be challenged and we will seek to glorify God. The levels of the course have been designed to be age and grade appropriate. In all that is produced, world views other than a biblical one will be challenged and we will seek to glorify God.

Course Objectives
Students will learn how to basic keyboarding skills, including how to touch type, and build up speed and accuracy, appropriate to their age and grade level. Students will learn basic word processing skills (using OpenOffice.org Writer, Draw and Calc). Students in Grade 5 and 6 will be introduced to how to effectively use search engines on the Internet and in particular of the need to be discerning about the content of material they may find.

Textbooks
none

Materials

  • Learning the Keyboard cards.
  • Speed Drills
  • Computer Skills Sheets
  • Straight Copy Tests
  • The Internet
  • Content of their classroom assignments.
  • OpenOffice.org Writer, OpenOffice.org Draw, OpenOffice.orgImpress

Time Allotment
50 minutes per day, 1 day a week

Course Content

  • Students will build up their speed and accuracy on the keyboard.
  • Students will revise design techniques and how to effectively usewhite space to display the graphics, photos, clip art, etc.
  • Students will produce A4 pages with a border, Fontwork gallery, clipart and text on Greek words in the Bible and their meanings. (this is to fit in with their class studies on Ancient Greece)
  • Students will be introduced to how to effectively use search engineson the Internet and in particular of the need to be discerning about the content of material they may find.
  • Students will undertake research on the Internet on the topic ofPollution and Caring for the Environment. It will have an Indonesia focus.
  • Students will learn how to write a report with sections andcolumns.
  • Students will learn how to format heading styles and prepare a tableof contents.
  • Students will complete a power point presentation on the theme oftheir research project the previous quarter, with transitions and animation, on OpenOffice.org Impress
  • Students will become more proficient at OpenOffice.org Impress withtransitions and animation.

Evaluation
Elementary Students are not given a percentage grade in the reporting system.