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TECHNOKIDS NEWS 2007
November 2007
TechnoKids Classes in Hong Kong Teach About Blogs
Students attending TechnoKids classes in Hong Kong are
learning about blogs. A blog is a web log about a particular
subject. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to
other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its
topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an
interactive format is an important part of many blogs.
Sarah Mak,
program director for TechnoKids Hong Kong Ltd., decided to modify
the technology project
TechnoCorrespondent to include blogging. Grade 5 and 6 students
extended their learning by posting a small part of their report on a
famous landmark to a TechnoKids blog.
The ability to
extend the popular technology project TechnoCorrespondent into the
blogosphere was a big success. Sarah Mak was thrilled with how
easy it was to customize the materials. "We modified the curriculum
to 8 sessions to give students sufficient time to create their blogs
and to read and post comments on each other’s blogs. This is a
useful complement to the curriculum, as now students have acquired a
new technology skill which has become so popular in the recent
years", Sarah commented.
To view the
TechnoKids Correspondent Blog visit
http://technokids-correspondent.blogspot.com
August 2007
TechnoKids
Releases Office 2007/Vista Technology Projects
TechnoKids has released technology projects suitable
for Office 2007 and Windows Vista. These new
technology projects include fun theme-based teaching
ideas that integrate the use of Microsoft Office
software into learning.
The curriculum development team is thrilled about
the product release. Christa Love, vice president
states, "With many schools updating their computer
labs to Office 2007 and Vista there is a need for
instructional materials to help teachers use the new
software".
The curriculum development team has placed a focus
upon updating their most popular technology projects
to Microsoft Office 2007. Laurie Gerard, curriculum
developer, commented, "TechnoKids has been
developing technology projects for over ten years.
When we started to update our product line we didn't
just want to keep the assignments the same. Instead,
we added activities to include the fun new features
that are available in the new Office 2007 software."
TechnoKids has released four word processing
technology projects for Microsoft Word 2007
including
TechnoReporter,
TechnoCorrespondent,
TechnoEditor, and
TechnoEzine; five spreadsheet technology
projects for Microsoft Excel 2007 including
TechnoBiz,
TechnoSales,
TechnoEntrepreneur,
TechnoInvestor, and
TechnoCEO;
three desktop publishing technology projects using
Microsoft Publisher 2007 including
TechnoFit,
TechnoWeb,
and
TechnoBiography; and two presentation technology
projects for Microsoft Power including
TechnoAnimal and
TechnoHero.
There is also technology projects for Microsoft
Access,
TechnoCelebrate, and Windows Movie Maker Vista,
TechnoDrama.
TechnoKids has more than 60 technology projects
available on a wide-range of themes for Office 2000,
XP, and 2003. The goal is to have the entire product
line, Office 2007 compatible by next year. To keep
updated about Office 2007 and TechnoKids technology
projects subscribe to the
TechnoKids E-Newsletter.
June
2007
TechnoKids Venezuela Teams with “Wheels of Freedom”
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TechnoKids Venezuela has been working to help disabled
adults learn technology skills and rejoin the workforce.
In
conjunction with Fundaprocura, a Venezuelan foundation
dedicated to aid people with spinal cord injuries,
TechnoKids has taken the initiative to provide training and
computer science qualifications.
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Fundaprocura’s mission is
to support disabled young people and adults, especially
those of limited economic means. The foundation donates
canes, wheelchairs and specially equipped cars to those in
need. Physical and psychological therapy, as well as family
support is also offered. In addition, one of Fundaprocura’s
programs, called “Wheels of Freedom”, aims to reintegrate
wheelchair bound individuals back into the workforce. Often
this requires education and retraining in another career.
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TechnoKids,
with its integrated curriculum that teaches computer skills within
the context of project-based learning, has set up the first computer
lab in Venezuela especially designed for people in wheelchairs. Jose
Benacerraf, of TechnoKids Venezuela, has been working with
Fundaprocura since 2003. He states, “We are now in the process of
raising funds through a new science and technology law. With this
money, we will be able to provide training for people with motor
disabilities. We have already succeeded in receiving furniture and
computer equipment. In addition, Microsoft has lent its support to
this project as well!”
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only are basic computer training courses provided, but with
the goal of reintegrating disabled people into the
workforce, Benacerraf is also offering a course in
entrepreneurship. He adds, “In a country with very few
opportunities for people with disabilities, learning the
skills of how to start and run a business can open many new
doors and possibilities.” |
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The goal of
Fundaprocura and “Wheels of Freedom” is not only to provide mobility
to disabled people, but to help them once again become independent,
productive members of society. With the enthusiastic help of Jose
and TechnoKids Venezuela this aim is becoming a remarkable reality.
To learn more
visit http://www.fundaprocura.org/ or contact
venezuela@technokids.com
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April 2007
TechnoKids Releases
TechnoPhotoshop
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Are you teaching a course using
Photoshop? TechnoKids
Inc. has just published instructional materials that
will make your life easier. TechnoKids Inc. has just
released TechnoPhotoshop. This project is a great way to
introduce photo editing to your middle or high school
students. |
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DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE LESSON TO EVALUATE THE PRODUCT |
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The new
TechnoPhotoshop project has everything you need to teach a
photo editing course. When you order TechnoPhotoshop, you will receive a teacher guide, student
workbook, review questions, skill reviews, extension
activities, sample photos, and other helpful resource files.
The
TechnoPhotoshop
project integrates photo editing skills into a
meaningful task.
Students
learn how to use Photoshop to create a digital scrapbook,
which is in the form of a
presentation,
photo gallery, or contact sheet. To begin
they learn about digital cameras and how to use the
equipment to take high-quality photographs. They then apply
this knowledge to take a collection of photos they will use
in their scrapbook (if a digital camera is not available
sample photos have been provided). Once students have their
photos, the fun begins! They transform their photos using
filters, color adjustments, retouching tools, layer styles,
shapes, text, and selection options.
TechnoPhotoshop
is recommended for students in grades 6-12.
February 2007
TechnoKids in Tokyo are Gaining IT and English Skills
Japanese
school children are learning two valuable skills at the same
time: computer literacy as well as English language fluency.
And in addition, they are also having lots of fun!
Shelley
Bearse is the Japanese associate for TechnoKids Inc. She
teaches students information technology (IT) skills using
TechnoKids integrated curriculum projects. Class instruction
is carried out in English, with some Japanese translation as
needed. The final student computer projects are also
completed in English, creating a complete language immersion
experience.
“The
kids, whether native Japanese or native English speakers,
all agree on one term – cool!” Shelley states. “Parents are
amazed that their five year old is learning PowerPoint, a
presentation tool, and are convincing the children to show
them how.” In fact, Shelley finds that she is receiving
enquiries, both private and corporate, from adults who are
asking, “If you can teach kids, can you teach me?”
If you
would like to read more about Shelley’s success with
integrating IT and English language skills, view the
International Business article published in Hiragana
Times.
You can
also visit the TechnoKids Japan site at
http://www.technokidsjapan.com to find out about
the many classes and courses offered for both children and
adults.
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NEWS 2008