Ready for Launch: Preparing Your Students for What Comes Next
Erik Amerikaner, Computer Applications Teacher,
Oak Park High School, Oak Park, California

For high school juniors and seniors, the spring quarter is a busy time of researching colleges and financial aid, landing a first job, or preparing academically for freshman-level college courses. But no matter what your students plan to do after high school, computer literacy will be vital to their success.

In the workplace: In an increasingly technology-driven economy, there’s no question that U.S. students need a solid foundation in computer skills to thrive. In addition, many companies want employees with experience in applications used for word processing, desktop publishing, graphic design, data management, and Web design. Programming experience opens even more doors.

In higher education: Colleges, universities, and vocational schools routinely use technology to communicate with, teach, and evaluate students. At some schools, a computer with Internet access is an admission requirement for incoming freshmen! Internet skills and information literacy also are vital for college-level research.

In life! Because computers are so widely used in every aspect of modern life — from voting to shopping — computer literacy is all but a requirement for becoming an informed, productive, connected citizen.

With this in mind, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has established the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) Project. Its goal is to develop national K-12 technology education standards and to "[integrate] curriculum technology, technology support, and standards for student assessment and evaluation of technology use."

Among the technology education goals for high school students:

• Make informed choices among technology systems and select the correct tools.
• Understand and practice legal and ethical behaviors with regard to the use of information and technology.
• Use technology tools for communication and the management of personal information.
• Efficiently use online information sources for collaboration, research, and productivity.
• Evaluate technology-based options for lifelong learning.

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