Information Technology Standards and Benchmarks

 Canadian Academy Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Standards

Grade 6     (I)=Introduce / (E)=Explore / (I)=Developed  
    The skills learned each year built on skills learned the previous year.   

Standard 1: Ethics - Use information and technology systems responsibly and ethically.
  1. (I) Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology.
  2. (I) Explain the legal and ethical consequences of information and technology misuse.
  3. (I) Adhere to the CA AUP.
  4. (I) Discuss and explain copyright issues.
  5. (I) Explain the concept of intellectual property rights.
  6. (I) Correctly document both digital and nondigital information sources using APA style.
  7. (I) Describe the role of the media in focusing attention on events, in forming opinion on issues, and influencing decisions.
  8. (I) Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of information sources.
Standard 2: Library and Information - Use the library and other information systems effectively and critically.
  1. (I) Use library resources to support research as well as enrich personal interests.
  2. (I) Identify the basic types of information sources.
  3. (I) Select and use information sources critically and competently.
  4. Understand the structure, organization and use of almanacs, newspapers, periodicals, encyclopedias, search engines, and web reference sites.
  5. Use primary and secondary sources, determining the nature and usefulness of each.
  6. Use electronic databases, such as Sirs Knowledge Source, Global Newsbank, and EBSCO, and interpret the information found there.
  7. Conduct advance searches using Boolean Operators "AND," "OR," and "NOT."
  8. Identify tools used in media to influence culture and society.
  9. (I) Evaluate and annotate information sources critically and competently.
Standard 3: Foundation - Understand basic operations and concepts.
  1. Application and File Management
    1. Make subfolders to hold multiple items for specific projects.
    2. Recognize different file formats.
    3. Save file to desired folder on network.
    4. Decide best location to save files.
    5. Demonstrate independent use of copy and paste techniques with multiple applications.
  2. Computer Hardware
    1. Use projectors in presentations.
    2. Use flashdrive or external harddrive to upload work to computer.
    3.  Access help menu to search for answers to how-to questions.
    4. Diagnose and solve minor computer/printer problems.
  3. Databases
    1. Use Internet Search Engines.
    2. Use encyclopedias or CD Roms.
    3. Use Internet Resources to search online databases.
    4. Create database layout to share results of investigations.
  4. Digital Video Production
    1. Plan a video projects for classroom presentations using video storyboard software.
    2. Create and edit video projects for classroom presentations using video editing software.
  5. Graphic Design
    1. Draw and manipulate graphics.
    2. Insert graphics from various sources into various applications.
    3. Insert graphics from various applications and combine them with text.
    4. Save in the appropriate graphics format (gif, jpg).
    5. Maintain consistency of style in the key elements and choose elements that will assist the audience (create chunks of appropriate length and size, use representation icons, etc.)
  6. Multimedia
    1. With assistance edit text spelling, style, font, size, alignment and color.
    2. Select and manipulate a graphic from other applications.
    3. Create transitions.
    4. Produce a simple multimedia product (create layout to share results of an investigation, use a spreadsheet to calculate and display comparisons).
    5. Select appropriate software to produce a product (choose a program to share information through text, pictures, sound).
  7. Printing
    1. Assign a printing task to a specific printer.
    2. Recognize when a printer is out of paper by using the print monitor.
    3. Recognize when a printer misfeeds or is out of paper by using the warning light on the printer.
    4. Load paper tray with desired paper color or size.
    5. Choose PDF printer to create PDFs.
  8. Searching and Information Retrieval
    1. Use email to gather information from specific sources.
    2. Refine Internet search techniques by taking a number of keywords from classroom brainstorming.
    3.  Use strategies to retrieve relevant information from a number of sources and begin to assess the accuracy of that information.
    4.  Analyze and synthesize information appropriate to the developmental level.
    5.  Properly cite researched information based on accepted standards.
    6. Determine the validity of online information.
  9. Spreadsheets
    1. (I) Create a simple spreadsheet.
    2. (I) Determine data items to use in a spreadsheet.
    3. (I) Insert data in columns and rows.
    4. (I) Select the type of graph to display the data.
    5. (I) Insert a graph into a word processing document.
    6. (I) Name, save, test, and edit a spreadsheet.
    7. (I) Print a spreadsheet and use tools to manipulate color, labels and titles.
    8. (I) Use a spreadsheet  to calculate and compare research information.
  10. Word Processing and Writing
    1. Resize and change fonts.
    2. Use style features.
    3. Use spell check.
    4. Use a thesaurus.
    5. Use simple techniques to facilitate the writing process.
Standard 4: Productivity - Use information and technology tools, both collaboratively and individually, to produce quality analytical and creative works and to communicate various forms of information effectively.
  1. (I) Design and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts
  2. (I) Select appropriate technology tools and resources to collect and process information.
  3.  Construct a spreadsheet or database, enter data, use mathematical or logical functions to manipulate and process data, generate charts and graphs, and interpret results in "if-then" situations.
Standard 5: Research - Use information and technology tools, both collaboratively and individually, for research, problem solving, and decision-making.
  1. (I) Work with peers, using telecommunications and collaborative tools.
  2. (I) Develop and implement a plan to find an answer to a question or a problem, using the steps of the research cycle.
    1. State questions to be researched.
    2. Use an organizer to develop a plan for a research project or problem to be solved.
    3. Consider all possible information sources.
    4. Develop a plan for searching for information.
    5. Use technology to locate, evaluate, collect, and organize information from a variety of sources.
    6. Identify and use strategies to evaluate validity of information sources.
    7. (Support statements with facts found in books, articles, databases and Internet sources, and identify the sources used.
    8. Communicate results of research in final, edited product.
update May 2007