Fall Begins in Kansas City

COMPUTERTOTS has had a busy September starting several new sites and welcoming back our faithful sites.  We are really excited to offer our Whole School Design program to two childcare facilities in the Northland!  On September 8th, we started our TOTS program at Growing Places of Parkville and on September 9th & 10th, our TOTS program at Growing Places of Platte City.  I stopped back to visit the Platte City location last week to talk to classroom teachers and they said every Tuesday and Wednesday there are 40 smiling faces after taking our COMPUTERTOTS classes.  She said the parents and students are very happy with the program! 

I would also like to welcome La Petite Academy on 64th Terrace to the COMPUTER EXPLORERS Family and congratulations to the new director, Ms. Staci!  I would like to wish all my sites a Happy Fall!  If you’d like to start a COMPUTERTOTS program at your site, please give me a call at 816-505-2936 or send me an e-mail at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  We have a program to fit your budget!

DINO DISCOVERY at Longview Community College

Last week a group of students from Lee’s Summit found TWO dinosaurs buried right in their classroom.  After carefully digging, re-assembling, painting,  researching, and video taping, the students discovered that they had found a…....?  To find out what kind of dinosaurs they found, click on the link above.  Thanks to their teacher, Ms. Danielle and Longview Community College, all the students had fun learning about dinosaurs and creating their own classroom “Deadly Dinos” movie. A SPECIAL THANKS to our singers and songwriters in the class!  Thanks for visiting! Our next Dino Discovery Camp will be held at Liberty High School November 1 & 8.

VIDEO GAME DESIGN at Longview Community College

I had two classes of hardworking and respectful students this week. They learned how much thought, problem solving, and time goes into creating a 2-D video game. Once, we made it through the tutorials and lessons, the students were off on their own creating their games. It was so much fun to see the light bulbs come on and their imaginations at work. The teenagers amazed me with their ideas and took it to the next level by giving their characters many variables. Everyone was really excited to get to take home the software and continue creating video games!  Ms. Christina

VIDEO GAME DESIGN at Blue River

WOW!  The students attending the Video Game Design class at Blue River Community College had several great ideas in the creating of their own video game!  Our lead teaher, Ms Shanta’ and her assistant Mr. Lenny were amazed how quickly the students learned the rules and then applied them. 

Thanks to the students and parents for enrolling in Video Game Desing class at Blue River.  Nice job teaching Shanta’ and Lenny!  Check back often for program dates and sites near you.

AMUSEMENT PARK at Longview Community College

In our Amusement Park camp we had some gifted students that turned an ordinary amusement park ride into scarry, twirling, high flying out of this world amusment park ride.  The students added light and touch sensors to program their ride to react to the enviroment.  Some rides reversed directions when their touch sensor contacted a wall and the Zoo Bus learned to follow a black line around the room.

The Friday Finale show to the parents was FANTASTIC!!  As each group went to the front of the room, they introduced themselves, they each talked about what their contribution was to creating and programing their amusement park ride and then they pressed GO!  Parents were amazed at the movement of each ride demostrated.  Thank you Amusement Park Students and Parents.  Many thanks to my Lead teacher Miss Mary Ellen and Assistants Ms. Rebecca and Miss Danielle.  To Rich and Georgia and their assistants at Longview Community College, Thank You! Thank You!

VIDEO GAME DESIGN at Maple Woods Community College

Computer Explorers teacher, Ms. Christina, had a great time teaching the basic rules to 32 anxious students.  Maple Woods was the perfect place to offer these classes with the “smart board” available for the students to follow along w/ the teacher. At the end of class, each student took home a collection of student created games and software to keep the video game desiging creating at home. 

Thanks to all the students and parents that enrolled their children in this class.  A BIG THANKS!  to my teacher, Ms Christina and to Maple Woods Community College for letting us offer our classes through their lab.!  Please continuing checking back for when CE’s Video Animation class will be offered.  It’s different software and different style of creating video games, but more FUN!!

Computer Explorers Blog

Parents, we are eager to hear your feedback on our classes.

Please visit ZohoPolls (http://polls.zoho.com) and complete the "ComputerTOTS Parent Survey".

Bakerville Movie Class: Where The Wild Things Are

This movie was created by 1st and 2nd grade students attending the COMPUTER EXPLORERS After School Program at Bakerville Consolidated School.

Bakerville Movie Class: Spider Wick Cronicles

This movie was created by 1st and 2nd grade students attending the COMPUTER EXPLORERS After School Program at Bakerville Consolidated School

NHES Movie Class: Little Red Riding Hood

This movie was created by 1st and 2nd grade students attending the COMPUTER EXPLORERS After School Program at New Hartford Elementary School

NHES Movie Class: Star Wars

This movie was created by 1st and 2nd grade students attending the COMPUTER EXPLORERS After School Program at New Hartford Elementary School

John Patterson - NECCI After School Program

This movie was created by 3rd and 4th grade students attending the NECCI After School Program @ John Patterson Elementary School in Newington. NECCI sponsored this after school program.

Ruth Chaffee - NECCI After School Program

This movie was created by 3rd and 4th grade students attending the NECCI After School Program @ Ruth Chaffee Elementary School in Newington. NECCI sponsored this after school program.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Programs for kids preschool through 8th grade
A safe, imaginative, flexible, affordable camp alternative

I have been working diligently on updating the website to include all the current programs we are offering for Summer 2008.

We are pleased to offer our TechStars programs in many locations. 

We are expecting this summer to be fun and educational for all of our students!

Stay tuned for more information.

Lisa DiSiero

CE119 Blog

Welcome!  I am really excited for the release of our new website.  I hope you like it.  Please remeber that it will under construction for a while while we are updating it with all the current information.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Lisa DiSiero

Computer Explorers Illinois Blog

Please click here to view our blog.

http://computerexplorersillinois.blogspot.com

Who Needs a Report Card? Use Project Based Learning!

Video cameras, computers, iPods, or any type of high-end technology devices are still a little gee-whiz for those of us born pre-broadband. Today children from kindergarten through twelfth grade are experiencing hands-on projects and even producing their own video podcasts. Many parents and educators consider this beyond their capabilities, but COMPUTER EXPLORERS programs allow children at any level to accomplish a multitude of assignments typically reserved for adults.

The project-based learning (PBL) methodology allows students hands-on experience with real-life topics. Parents can share their preschool children’s learning by exploring the videos on COMPUTER EXPLORERS Web site, where podcasts demonstrate the children identifying different seasons, landmarks, animals, numbers, and the alphabet. A five-year study by SRI International, Challenge 2000, reinforces the benefits as technology-using students in multimedia projects outperform non-technology-using students in communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving.

Attending the COMPUTER EXPLORERS’ Green Engineering camp gave 9-year old Savanna Burke insight into solar energy. “My favorite part of the class was testing our solar cars to see if they worked,” she says. “It was fun to see how the sun powered the motor, which made the wheels turn. I also liked taking it home to show my parents!”

Project based learning provides a unique and highly effective teaching process too. Teachers advise the children while they engage in hands-on work, rather than directing them through an entire lesson. Within the project based learning framework, students collaborate to solve curriculum-based problems. The process establishes discipline among the students and fosters a sense of accomplishment upon completion. COMPUTER EXPLORERS school age programs allow children from first grade and up to learn through integrated technology activities. Under the guidance of COMPUTER EXPLORERS staff members, a team of eighth-grade students developed a comprehensive marketing plan for their school. Countless details make up the creation of a marketing plan, a task typically accomplished by an adult. With some help from COMPUTER EXPLORERS, the students created a comprehensive program to build awareness and reinforce school pride. Because project learning is based upon engaging activities, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they’re studying.

In addition to marketing plans, students also may use their creativity in social media and multi-media projects while grasping basic computer operations, word processing, graphic design, spreadsheets, and much more. The projects children are creating today are amazing and the aide of technology is allowing them to experience real life situations beyond their parents’ capabilities.

What does your child know that you don’t?

How COMPUTER EXPLORERS give children the right tools to succeed

I’m willing to wager that everyone reading this article is a digital immigrant - we grew up without the aid of the technology our children take for granted. Even though most of us are in the education business, we cannot rival our students’ ease with computers, social networks, and technology.

Can you imagine if adults today had access to advanced communication tools when they were in elementary school?  Their global awareness and general knowledge base would have been limited only by their curiosity and sense of adventure, not by where they lived or the size of the local library!

Today, students from three to eighty-three at COMPUTER EXPLORERS are getting several advanced technology experiences through video game design, blogging, Wikis, pod and video casting, and Internet research—skills many adults are just now starting to learn. Scratch, an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) product, allows children to explore their imaginations through animation development. Young innovators create video game characters, with movement and sound, bringing characters to life - and along the way develop mathematical and computational concepts without even knowing it!

“Sometimes children don’t see the relationship between having fun and learning,” said Cyndee Perkins, COMPUTER EXPLORERS director of curriculum and program development. “We try to bridge that gap by teaching the latest technology skills by using classroom concepts as the content of technology projects.”

Blog writing is evolving as one of the premier news outlets today.  Let’s face it, millions of people receive their news and information online everyday. While adults use blogs or podcasts on the job or to pursue personal interests, do adults really know how they work? Social media is second nature to many young children.

The COMPUTER EXPLORERS program allows children to blog, create Wikis, pod and video casts about historical or current news events to develop advanced communication technology skills. COMPUTER EXPLORERS educators instruct the young bloggers to pick an important historical event such as a war battle, and then blog about the event as if the outcome happened on that particular day. The process benefits children in multiple ways. Students learn how to conduct factual research, organize the information they gather, and put their ideas into a format that is state-of-the-art so they are spreading the news just like a blogger at the New York Times.

Today, the focus is teaching children advanced technology tools at an early age.  Many adults struggle to stay in the loop when it comes to new technology.  Yet, through COMPUTER EXPLORERS, children gain advantages essential to communicating and learning in today’s fast-paced, technology-rich world.  Mom and dad can keep learning what they need on the job.  But when it comes to the family blog, thanks to COMPUTER EXPLORERS, more parents can turn to their seven-year-old to explore the possibilities.

Internet Safety

Online safety for children is a huge topic these days. A great site for parents to learn about online safety is Wired With Wisdom. This site has been specifically designed to be a user-friendly solution for parents. In addition, police officers and other professionals have recognized the value of the program and have utilized it to obtain valuable vocational safety training.
Wired With Wisdom is available online or as a download and features five learning components, each of which can be completed in only 20 minutes. The issues addressed include; Social Networking, Personal Websites, The World Wide Web, Chatrooms, Instant Messaging, E-Mail, Cell Phone Dangers and Emerging Technology.

For more information go to http://www.webwisekids.org/our_software.asp?page=www

Blog

Under construction

Under construction

Junior Engineering at the JCC

The Junior Engineering Class at Sid Jacobson JCC has been doing a great job of learning about the creation and uses of simple machines.  They very happily made a mess of bubbles with their hand mixers and created extendable pliers that they used to pick up everything from Ninja Turtle figures to heavy locks.  When we introduced levers, they worked to balance the seesaws (1st class lever) they had made.  They did an especially good job of modifying their drum machines to make different kinds of noises and drum at different speeds.

RVC Junior Engineering

The Junior Engineering class has been learning all about simple machines, while creating some amazing machines of their own.  They made loads of bubbles with their motorized hand mixers and added Lego figures to a spinning merry-go-round.  Their latest productions, as seen here, are drum machines, which ended up making quite a lot of noise once they were done.  They’ve also gotten quite good at modifying their structures to change speeds and sizes.

RVC Rec COMPUTERTOTS

COMPUTERTOTS kids enjoyed expressing their creativity today at
RVC Rec.  They used a drawing tablet and stylus connected to the computer
They experimented with a paintbrush, pencils and a paint bucket, and discovered
they could use all the colors in the rainbow to create a masterpiece.  They
were so excited when they were able to print their drawings to take home.

Why We Do What We Do

COMPUTERTOTS Classes:  The Educational Rationale Ahead of Its Time!

    In July 2008, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) published a brief titled “Technology and Student Achievement - the Indelible Link.”. Twenty-one studies published since 2000 have shown significant positive effects of using technology to strengthen math, reading and literacy skills.  But those results are directly affected by the way technology is used.  We in COMPUTERTOTS were gratified to see that the 2008 ISTE brief reinforced what we have been doing for the last 25 years!

    The findings include:

      -  Programs and applications must provide individualized feedback to students and teachers and must have the ability to tailor lessons to individual student needs.

      -  Student collaboration in the use of technology is more effective in influencing student achievement than strictly individual use.

    By keeping the CT class size small and using one computer, the teacher is able to focus on each child individually, yet at the same time maintain the cooperative and collaborative nature of our classes that is so important to us.  For example, if a child is having trouble using the mouse to click and drag, the teacher can specifically assist him/her, while at the same time making it a “teachable moment” for the rest of the class, e.g. “Who remembers why we have the little sticker on this side of the mouse?” (As a reminder to hold that button down) or “What color is the rectangle we need to click on?”  The format of the class makes it possible to teach the children as a small group, where they are all focused on the lesson and learning the curriculum, yet each child’s skills can be strengthened individually. It really is the best of both worlds!

    To learn more about the impact of technology on education, you can download the ISTE brief from the CE Website: http://www.computerexplorers.com/images/uploads/Student_Achievement_Brief.pdf

Rockville Centre Rec Kidsfest

COMPUTERTOTS/COMPUTER EXPLORERS had a great time at the Rockville Centre Rec Kidsfest on September 13.  Cathy and Lori manned the booth, along with Cathy’s daughter, Allison, who came along for the fun.  We demonstrated a slideshow of art our summer Rec Center students had created.  Lots of families stopped by to see our little robot, Beebot, and the digital microscope. 

The older children enjoyed running the motorized Lego “drum” we will be building in Junior Engineering.  And, of course, the chocolate kisses were a big hit!

Summer Fun at RVC Rec with Computer Explorers

In our Totally Technology class, we explored a number of ways to utilize the computer.

We used a digital microscope to take magnified pictures of everyday objects and decorate them.  We also applied the Scientific Method to examine magnified condiments found in the kitchen (e.g. baking soda, flour) and to figure out what the “mystery item” could be.

Then we created art projects, using different computer art tools, like brushes, wacky text, and spray paint.  We focused on incorporating different shapes.

Finally, we really enjoyed working with digital cameras to take pictures and edit them.  Later, we used props like cars and Ninja Turtles to take pictures and create a slideshow with them.

Summer Fun at RVC Rec with COMPUTERTOTS

We started off creating a sunflower craft.  The children discussed how they have seen sunflowers as tall as houses.  They enjoyed creating designs for the center of the flower with the sunflower seeds.

While their flowers dried, the children went to the computer and explored their “Little Bill” software.  They played the games and printed a picture of a garden they had created.

COMPUTER EXPLORERS YouTube channel

Do you want to see what COMPUTER EXPLORERS is all about? Check out our YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/computerexplorers. There are student project videos, videos about our programs and other favorites relating to technology education. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

The Busiest Time of the Year!

As with all of you, I am sure, we are very busy right now! Fall classes are wrapping up. While we are certainly gearing up for the winter and spring sessions, we have also starting plans for the summer. Please see our Classes section for the upcoming classes for winter and spring. Although it may be difficult to think about summer right now, if you have interest in a specific class for your child, school or camp for the summer, please let us know!

Technology Gift Ideas

With Thanksgiving this week, the advertisements for holiday gifts start. If you are looking for some non-biased information for technology gifts or what is appropriate for a particular age, check out the Technology Timeline for Kids http://family.go.com/hot-topics/pkg-kids-technology/tech-timeline/1/. It is by Warren Buckleitner, PhD, editor of Children’s Technology Review.

Digital Immigrants teaching Digital Natives

Our school age newsletter for fall discusses the idea of digital immigrants vs. digital natives. (See Newsletter link to the right.) So how can digital immigrants reach their digitally native audience? Marc Prensky has some ideas. Here are three articles from him that are especially useful.

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants—A New Way To Look At Ourselves and Our Kids

Do They REALLY Think Differently?—Neuroscience Says Yes

Backup Education?—Too many teachers see education as preparing kids for the past, not the future (in Educational Technology, Jan-Feb 2008)

Mr. Pumpkin Head

This is one of three videos created last week at a Fall Break camp at Austin International School. Children were ages 6-8.

The Wizarding Family

This is one of three videos created last week at a Fall Break camp at Austin International School. Children were ages 6-8.

Magical Pet Shop Claymation

This is one of three videos created last week at a Fall Break camp at Austin International School. Children were ages 6-8.

Pumpkin Patches

Although October does not feel much like fall in Austin, we are starting to see all of the pumpkin patches around town. For preschoolers, most likely the curriculum includes an apple unit or a pumpkin unit. You can continue the learning at home or on a family field trip. The website http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/TXpaustin.php can help you find a pumpkin patch near you, learn more about the history of Halloween, how to choose a pumpkin and more!

Fun Halloween Website

I came across this link last Halloween. The kids have a great time getting to ‘carve’ a pumpkin over and over. I hope you and your kids enjoy it!
http://www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf
(Always preview a website prior to entering it with your child.)

Rodeo

Does everyone love the Rodeo

funny video

fun video