A Plan and Guide for the Implementation of a Computer Curriculum at Southeast Fountain Elementary School

This project was developed to provide an orderly plan for the introduction of microcomputers into the total curriculum. A computer curriculum was developed that became a vibrant part of the total experience at the elementary level. The uniqueness of an elementary curriculum has been the manner in which each subject area complemented the other. Science, for example, has not been taught as an independent content area. It has been taught as an extension of the reading program. Also computer instruction must be blended with the other disciplines. It was the purpose of this study (1) to show a plan for implementation of microcomputer instruction as one of the basics within the total elementary curriculum; (2) to provide a teaching guide for implementation of microcomputer instruction; (3) to indicate the appropriate areas of the established curriculum for microcomputers; and (4) to present the·goals and objectives for a microcomputer program. The completion of this project has resulted from a review of current research literature, an inspection of other existing computer curricula, and contacts with specialists within the computer field for assistance. Special assistance was given from representatives of the Indiana Department of Public Instruction, the Technical Assistance Center Region II, and Radio Shack Computer Center of Indianapolis, Indiana. The final result of this project was a method for the integration of microcomputers into the elementary curriculum. This study provided the vehicle for the accomplishment of goals and objectives in the areas of programming and computer literacy. This project was designed and implemented for the 1983-84 school year at the Southeast Fountain Elementary School