The purpose of this program is to further refine grade schoolers' education on the proper use of computers, both in the classroom and away from school. The Commonwealth of Virginia is planning to begin requiring students in grades 5-8 to attain "Standards of Learning" for Computers and Technology. However, missing from these lists of skills is any mention of the necessity of the understanding of the ethics of the use of computers.
Montgomery County has taken a further step by developing a set of Appropriate Usage Agreements that students and parents must sign before the student can use the school computers.
The program outlined here is designed for 5th graders in any school system, not just those already familiar with computers in general. The objective is to address the "special problems" of ethics and conduct that are potentially associated with using a computer in grade schools, and a careful topical structure ensures coverage of the most important issues of safety and ethics.
Last updated 98/11/20
rainman@vt.edu