Preschool Helpers

I saw this Message in a Backpack on Twitter, from @NAEYC - http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/MessageV1N1.pdf. It was a good reminder for me. I think it is important for my own children to help with chores around the house, but often I just do it myself, in order to get it done quickly. I need slow down and remember the value of letting the little ones help around the house.
I can also relate this to technology. Do you have a quick e-mail that you are sending to your mom or other family member? Have your preschooler sit in your lap and help you type it out. Yes, it will take longer than you just doing it yourself. However, your child will learn to find keys on the keyboard, practice letter recognition, learn how to spell names and other words, as well as feel a connection to you and the person receiving the e-mail.

Activities for Bad Weather Days

This month’s Computers and Kids newsletter talks about one website that is a great free activity for all ages. In Austin we don’t have too many days where it’s just too cold to play outside, however, record cold temperatures are heading our way this week. So, you may want to check out the newsletter for an idea for entertaining yourself and the kids! There are a number of great websites to explore with your kids. My own children really enjoy Tux Paint. It is not an online activity, but it is a free downloadable program. Do you have a favorite?

Giving Back this Holiday Season

As mentioned in this month’s Computers & Kids newsletter, no matter what faith or cultural background, this time of year is a time for giving. I am pleased that the COMPUTER EXPLORERS corporate headquarters has been using social media to promote giving back for the past few months. This month, for new fans of COMPUTER EXPLORERS on facebook, a donation will be given to the Ronald McDonald House. My brother and sister-in-law stayed at a Ronald McDonald House when my nephew was born with a hole in his diaphragm. So, that charity is close to my heart, because it was such a help to my family during such a stressful time.

This morning I received an e-mail from the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), and a good portion of the e-mail listed ways for teachers to help their students find ways to give back online. A couple of the links related to literacy:
Lemons for Literacy - Students work on vocabulary while “squeezing lemons” to provide literacy resources.
The Literacy Site - Sponsors pay for books when their links are clicked or purchases made.

There are many more, and you can find one that is meaningful to you and your family by searching http://www.oneclickatatime.org/. Leave a comment if you have another that you would like to share!

As always, please review websites prior to viewing them with your child.

FIRST LEGO(R) League Experience

Last Saturday I went to my first FLL (FIRST LEGO League) tournament. COMPUTER EXPLORERS have been working with a team (called the Five Fiery Flames) of five 9 year-old boys since September to prepare for the tournament. The tournament is for children ages 9-14, so the team was on the younger side. I heard about FLL for a couple of years ago, but really learned the details this summer. I was very excited to be working with a team, because I was so impressed by the FLL concept.

Robotics draws students in, but there is so much more to the tournament. The teams also have a project to research and present. They are also judged on how they work together as a team. Finally, it is very important that the team members complete everything on their own. Coaches, mentors and parents guide them to prepare for the event. However, the team builds the robot, programs the robot to complete various takes, researches their project and decides how they want to present their project. All of this builds ‘real world’ skills for the future.

Personally, I can’t wait until my own kids are old enough to participate in FLL! Please leave comments if you have any suggestions for the ‘off season’ to help teams prepare before getting the tournament information in September. Also, check out the Five Fiery Flames in our Gallery.

COMPUTER EXPLORERS makes donations in honor of Veteran’s Day

With each new member of the COMPUTER EXPLORERS Fan page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/computer.explorers), CE will make a donation in the name of the fan to the Operation Uplink. Operation Uplink provides free calls home to Active Duty and Hospitalized Veterans. So, become a fan! Once you are a fan, post a picture of your Veteran loved one!

Thank you to all Veterans and their families!

COMPUTER EXPLORERS facebook gives back!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and COMPUTER EXPLORERS is going to donate to the cause! For every new COMPUTER EXPLORERS fan on facebook, a donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Awareness foundation. So become a fan today!

www.facebook.com/computer.explorers

LEGOs (R) aren’t just for boys!

I have nothing against boys - I promise. But I have been wondering how to get girls involved in some of our classes that use LEGOs®. The July issue of our Computers and Kids (see Newsletters link) has a link to LEGO’s Belville collection, which is specifically geared for girls. There are pink and purple pieces, horses and fairies. As a mother of a girl, I know that this will be a hit with young girls.

However, I’m still wondering how I can attract girls to classes such as Engineering with LEGOs® or LEGOs® NXT Robotics? I know that there are girls out there who would enjoy and benefit from these classes. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

Twitter!

Are you a tweep? (i.e., Are you a Twitter user?) Great - then follow us @AustinCE for our local posts or @CETeam for corporate posts.

Not sure about Twitter yet? It is easy, and Mashable has a Twitter Guide Book that will help you get started. Check it out http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/.

Let me know if you have questions or comments on using Twitter! 

Creative Learning

Mitch Resnick is the director of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at MIT’s Media Lab. I have heard him speak twice - once at a COMPUTER EXPLORERS conference and last year at NECC. He is also the creator or contributor to some of the software that we use in our classes. I love his philosophy on how learning should be like it is in Kindergarten, or at least how it used to be in Kindergarten. My daugther just finished Kindergarten, and I felt so fortunate that her teacher was more traditional in what Kindergarten should be. It should be a fun, creative experience.

I believe that COMPUTER EXPLORERS classes allow children to be creative thinkers, in a way that they may not get in another classroom. Whether COMPUTER EXPLORERS is part of your child’s school day, a summer camp or an after school enrichment program, students will be learning in an exciting way!

Check out Mitch’s article in the June/July issue of Edutopia - http://www.edutopia.org/kindergarten-creativity-collaboration-lifelong-learning.

Tips on texting for parents and educators

A COMPUTER EXPLORERS manager posted a link to this blog on Twitter - http://www.debaird.net/blendededunet/2009/01/text-messaging-tips-for-parents-educators.html. I think that it gives a good summary for both parents and educators on how children use text messaging. There are also links to get more information. This is great information so that we can help our children use cell phones as a useful tool.

Do you Wii?

Our friend Warren Buckleitner, from Children’s Technology Review (http://www.childrenssoftware.com/), has an update for Wii users in the New York Times. In the article, he gives some advice on what terminology is used, advice on Wii Remote battery usage, and an update on what’s new with the Wii Remote. Check out the entire article - http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/hidden-secrets-of-your-wii-remote/.

Example of Video Game Animation Project

This spring, students in our Video Game Animation class used Scratch to create animated pictures, activities and games. The kids had a great time, but along the way they were building important skills. Programming sequences of actions in Scratch requires students to plan and problem solve. Here is an example of one of the projects completed this semester - http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/AustinCE/534974.

Even More Summer Camps!

I’m exciting to announce that plans have been finalized for COMPUTER EXPLORERS - Austin to be offering technology camps at Hoppin’ House in Lakeway (http://www.hoppinhouse.com/) this summer. I think that this is a great opportunity for kids to learn and have fun with technology, as well as get rid of some energy hopping around! Our classes will be held in the area commonly used for parties, and the class time will include time to jump around in the air conditioned facility. Check out our entire summer class schedule under our Class section - http://www.computerexplorers.com/locations/classes/41/.

This week is Internet Safety Week

This week is Internet Safety Week. I think many parents are aware of the potential dangers of kids getting into trouble online. However, for those of you that are not as comfortable with the topic, COMPUTER EXPLORERS has posted a workbook for parents and children. The workbook was written by a COMPUTER EXPLORERS’ teacher, in collaboration with 10-11 year-old students. So, it really speaks to children. There is more information on the COMPUTER EXPLORERS corporate blog (http://www.computerexplorers.com/about/corporate_blog/). To access the workbook directly, go to http://www.computerexplorers.com/documents/webwizard.pdf.

Also, I am happy to help if you have any specific questions about Internet safety.

Summer Camp - Round 2

COMPUTER_EXPLORERS_Summer09.xls

I have updated our summer schedule. See Classes section or link above. We have lots of options for ages 4 and up!

New Classes Starting at 26-MUSIC in Steiner Ranch

We are very excited to announce a new location for our classes. Starting April 17th, we will be offering preschool technology classes at 26-MUSIC in Steiner Ranch. More information is under our Classes section. We will also be offering summer camps there for ages 4 and up. Our new summer schedule reflects the camps that will be held there. If your child has musical interest, our camps will follow or proceed the classes offered by 26-MUSIC.

On-line activity for ages 3 and up

I was reading the March issue of Children’s Technology Review, where Kerpoof.com was given an Editor’s Choice award. Kerpoof.com has activities such as making drawings, cards and stories. I had heard of Kerpoof from the National Education Computing Conference last summer; however, I had never gone to the site myself. After reading the review, I had a quick look. It is very straight-forward, and your child’s creations can be saved for sharing or changing later. I know I’ve just seen the tip of the iceburg on what can be done on this website, but I thought I would pass it along for others to explore!

http://www.kerpoof.com
http://www.childrenstechnology.com

Summer Camp - Round 1

I have posted a first round of information on our summer camps under our Classes section. There are more camps in the works, but I didn’t want to post them until they were official. So, keep checking back for updates.
Happy Spring Break!

Simple Machine - Pulley Activity

I found an activity for making a pulley at home. It is from the Canada Science and Technology Museum - http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/activities_mach1.cfm. It is very straight-forward and is an activity that you could easily do with your child.

Something to think about for you or your web-savvy children

I thought this article - http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/02/didnt-you-know.html - and the referenced blogs were interesting.  I certainly don’t hate Facebook like the author does, but I appreciate the warnings.

Simple Machine - Lever Example

COMPUTER EXPLORERS will be participating in two science events at local elementary schools this week. It just so happens we are providing activities at both events that will teach students about simple machines. So, I thought that for the next few posts, I will give some ideas on how to create simple machines with household items. Let me know if you have a chance to try them out and how they work!
The first project for you is using levers. All you need is a pencil, ruler and some marshmallows. Make a model seesaw by putting the pencil under the ruler, in the middle, making a cross. Add marshmallows to one end until that end of the ruler touches the table. How many marshmallows did it take? What is the fulcrum, effort and load? Turn your seesaw into a catapult by removing the marshmallows and moving the pencil away from the center. Put a marshmallow on one end, then press down on the other end. Experiment with the pencil location that makes the marshmallow go the farthest distance.

An Article in The Economist Discusses Positive Aspects of Today’s Youth

I found this article interesting and thought I’d share it with you.

http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12591038

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.)