New technologies are so complex that basic skills are essential. It amazes me to see students creating instant messages, downloading music and any other number of amazing things, but then lack the most basic of skills in front of the computer.

When using technology in the class I have found that I must put down my social studies content and teach basic computer skills. Next year it is my plan to teach these skills before I teach any of the social studies skills or content so that they can work with it the rest of the year with ease.

For one thing students need basic keyboarding skills so that they can complete written work in a timely matter. If pen is to be replaced with keyboard in the classroom then this is essential.

It seems unfortunate that I must go to this length since many of my students never get keyboarding or computer lab. It is not mandated like math or English. It seems to me that technology and computer training needs to mandated and even perhaps state tested as a condition for graduation. Is this going too far?