About Digitools ...

DigiTools directly addresses the goals defined by the National Business Education Association in its Information Technology National Standards which admonishes students to, "Use a variety of input technologies."

"Develop proper input techniques (e.g., keyboarding, scanning, speech recognition, handwriting recognition, and the use of a touch screen or mouse), including safety methods to avoid repetitive strain injury." (Page 85, National Standards for Business Education, NBEA publication, available to order at www.nbea.org, ISBN 0-933964-56-0)

DigiTools is an intelligent approach to the input technology revolution. We pulled this list of objectives from the Career and Technical Education Website at http://www.k12.wa.us/careerteched/it/digitools.asp from the section called "The New Curriculum Suggestions for Digital Communication Tools (working towards replacement of the CTE Keyboarding Curriculum)"

* creating portable documents using correct format
* communicating using a computer with minimal typing skills
* translating English into Spanish with a click of a button
* handwriting using a tablet PC
* speaking directly to the PC
* incorporating Internet applications.
* learning "word" processing and "office" applications relative to the new technologies
* infusing communication tools into design of web applications
* incorporating real project-based curriculum
* hands-on learning aligned with today's high academic state standards and national standards
* introducing the real world of business and information technology for possible career focus
* using culminating assessments and team presentations for assessment purposes.

It's a lot to pack into a semester, but with reduced keyboarding emphasis there is now room in the curriculum to introduce other input technologies, such as; speech, handwriting, Web tools, and online translation.

Teachers in the pilot program are encouraged to allow their students to become "self-motivated learners" while infusing high standards of "reading, writing, science and math" through the use of technology. Creative, project-based activities are encouraged. There's an emphasis on team building, critical thinking, and project-time management.

Understanding that teachers are often overburdened with grading tasks, DigiTools teachers are encouraged to, "let go of grading the keyboarding papers," so they can spend more time guiding students through the DigiTools objectives, planning new lessons, and building creativity and teamwork among their students.

(To read more, visit http://www.k12.wa.us/careerteched/it/digitools.asp.)