Recent News

Computer Technology Solutions becomes an Accredited Provider of CPE Classes

July 2004

Computer Technology Solutions becomes an Accredited Provider of CPE Classes

The Texas Department of Education has approved Computer Technology Solutions (CTS) as an accredited provider of Continuing Professional Educational (CPE) classes. Using instructional materials published by TECHNOKids Inc., the company will provide technology-related classes at their training facility located in the Woodlands, or directly on-site in a school's computer lab.

Teachers in Texas will now be able to select from eight different course offerings including: Introduction to Windows, Introduction to Hardware, Introduction to the Internet, Introduction to Word, Introduction to Excel, Introduction to PowerPoint, Introduction to Email, and Technology Integration.  The K-12 curriculum uses a project-based approach to teach personal computer applications (to computer kids) using Microsoft Office software.

Each course fulfills the requirements for Basic Technology Foundations, Personal and Professional Use of Technology, and Application of Technology in Instruction, as is outlined by the ISTE-Benchmark Technology Competencies.

In each course, participants learn valuable technology skills while completing meaningful projects such as handouts, slideshows, or electronic grade books. Throughout each course, connections are made to classroom practice and student learning. A helpful take-home reference guide helps educators apply their newly acquired skills.

Diane Newberry, President of CTS, is pleased to be able to provide training to teachers throughout Texas saying that,  “Our company has been providing computer training opportunities for children and adults since 1994. We are thrilled to be able to offer professional development to the teachers in Texas”.

CTS has established itself as a valued computer training center for adults. In recent years, the company extended their course offerings to children in the Woodlands area. At the learning center, each summer 7-12 year olds take part in theme-based computer activities at computer camp.

CTS's enthusiasm for technology and education lead them to become a distributor of TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum. The K-12 curriculum uses a project-based approach to teach personal computer applications using Microsoft Office software.

To learn more about course offerings or curriculum contact Diane Newberry at dnewberry@ctss.com.

June 2004

TECHNOKids Releases TechnoCelebrity

TECHNOKids releases a new project for camp called TechnoCelebrity. On this camp day, campers work for the e-tabloid TechnoStar. As celebrity reporters, they write an article about a popular celebrity who under goes an EXTREME makeover.

The fun starts when the superstar chooses a trip to the plastic surgeon's, body clinic, or salon. With the transformation complete, campers create a video that shows the "before" and "after" look. This exciting makeover is then reported to fans in an interactive article. What will they think of the new look?

This project is recommended for children ages 7-12.

May 2004

TECHNOKids Releases TechnoProducer

TECHNOKids releases a new project for camp called TechnoProducer. On this camp day, campers produce their own movie. Working in production teams, each group develops a storyboard for their movie. Following their outline, the scenes are video recorded. The footage is then taken into the program Windows Movie Maker to be edited. This is where the magic of film making happens!

This project is an affordable way to teach film making. Video footage can be recorded using inexpensive web cameras. It also does not require expensive software. Instead, The video is edited using the program Windows Movie Maker, which is part of the Windows XP operating system.

This project is recommended for children ages 7-12.

April 2004

TECHNOKids Releases TechnoCelebrate

TECHNOKids releases a new project for primary-aged students called TechnoCelebrate. In this project, students learn about celebrations from around the world. Using databases they research personal, memorial, national, and international celebrations.

This project provides an opportunity for students to gain an appreciation for the diversity of celebrations. Moreover, they are encouraged to reflect on their own family traditions to appreciate what makes these special.

Valuable technology skills are interwoven into the project. Students learn database skills by using the Celebrations database to view and search for records about celebrations. These skills are then applied when student add their own record about a family tradition to the Our Family Traditions database. At the end of the project, students share their traditions with classmates.

This project is recommended for children in Grade 2.

March 2004

Smart Kids 2004 – Into Their World

Come and join us at the biggest Education Fair in Malaysia. Smart Kids 2004 will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur from 2 to 4 April 2004. TECHNOKids  Malaysia will be at booth numbers 3095 and 3096.

This annual event-led exhibition provides a fun-filled educational experience for parents and their children. Smart Kids 2004 expects to attract more than 100,000 family visitors.

Smart Kids 2004 will serve as a one-stop centre for resources and information on child development. Smart Kids 2004's exhibits and activities are planned not only with the children in mind, but also for parents to discover as well as learn about the tools and information required for them to understand and nurture their children. At the same time, children are given the opportunity to discover their forte and abilities in various areas.

Organized by Expomal Network Sdn Bhd (Expomal) and with an endless list of activities, Smart Kids 2004 – Into Their World is the biggest Education Fair in Malaysia and is an event that should not be missed.

For more information, please visit www.smartkids.com.my or tel +60-3-33433128

March 2004

TECHNOKids Releases TechnoRelic

TECHNOKidsreleases a new project for camp called TechnoRelic. On this day, campers become relic hunters. At the request of the Ancient Relic Society, they have been asked to examine a sacred item. The sacred item has strange markings that must be deciphered.

Using the Egyptian Translator campers decode the hieroglyphs. They learn that this object must be returned to its "rightful place". Teaming up with fellow relic hunters, campers take a virtual trip to Egypt.

This project is recommended for children ages 7-12.

February 2004

Gauteng Online and TECHNOKids

Students in the province of Gauteng in South Africa are becoming wired. Over 1000 schools are receiving computer labs with access to the Internet and e-mail. This commitment to learning is a joint venture between the private and public sector.

Ignatius Jacobs, the Provincial Education Minister, at the launch of the rollout said the provincial education department is committed to schools in the province having computer laboratories. He proudly states, “All children at Gauteng schools will be able to join their counter parts throughout the world and face the challenges of the 21st century”.

The rollout of the Gauteng Online Project is the responsibility of six business consortiums: Business Connexion , Dell, Hewlett Packard, Mustek, Pinnacle, and Sahara. TECHNOKids  Africa is part of the Business Connexion consortium. Their role is to train teachers to use technology.

Training of Gauteng teachers begins this week and will continue for several months. Each teacher in the province will receive basic computer training. This 16 hour training course includes an introduction to Word, Excel, Windows, E-mail, and the Internet. In addition, two staff members from each school will attend an advanced training course that will prepare them for troubleshooting computer and network problems, as well as offering support to other educators.

TECHNOKids  Africa is proud to be part of the Gauteng Online Project. Vasu Gounden, CEO of TECHNOKids  Africa states, “The children in Gauteng are being given the tools and knowledge they need to become world leaders in the digital age. We are thrilled to be part of this project. We are convinced that this is what is needed to prepare our students for the future”.

The rollout of the Gauteng Online Project is expected to take place over the next two years.

February 2004

Come and Join us at NECC 2004

January 2004

TECHNOKids Releases TechnoAnimal

TECHNOExplorers  releases a new project for primary students called TechnoAnimal. In this project, students create a multimedia report about an animal. Using various resources, they gather facts about their selected animal. Afterwards, these facts are organized to create an informative presentation.

This project provides an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the needs of animals including their diet, habitat, appearance, young, and threats. Moreover, topics such as animal categories (reptile, amphibian, mammal), migration, and life cycle are addressed.

Valuable technology skills are interwoven into the project. Students learn telecommunication skills by using the Internet to gather images. Graphic skills are enhanced by painting a picture of the animal in its habitat. Multimedia skills are acquired by arranging animal pictures and facts onto slides. Upon completion of the slides, animation and transitions are applied to create a fabulous slideshow.

This project is recommended for students in Grade 2.

November 2003

Florida Department of Education Approves TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum

TECHNOKids Inc. is pleased to announce that TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum was approved by Florida Department of Education and has been recommended for use in all the State's Public Schools. The instructional materials are now available for the courses Computer Applications Grades 6-8 and Computer Applications Grades 9-12.

Throughout 2003, the curriculum was evaluated by the State Instructional Material Committee. The committee was comprised of educators throughout the State of Florida. Each member tested the instructional materials and scored it based on three categories: Content, Presentation, and Learning. TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum was given the highest possible ranking in all categories.

In the Content category TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum was evaluated for its alignment to the State's learning objectives, developmentally appropriate activities, accuracy, current context, authenticity, and multicultural representation.

In the Presentation category TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum was assessed based on its comprehensive resources, alignment to instructional components, organization of materials, readability of content, pacing of activities, and ease of use. In the Learning category TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum was rated for the motivational strategies, teaching ideas, explicit instructional steps, guidance and support, active student participation, instructional strategies, and assessment strategies.

What impressed educators about the instructional materials was the project-based learning instructional approach. Typically, computer curriculum includes activities that teach children like they are adults. In many schools, students are given corporate training materials such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This approach to learning is not personally meaningful to students.

As one committee member stated, “My students are ready for this form of learning. They will find the projects fun”. In project-based learning, students select a topic that is personally meaningful. Technology skills are then integrated into this learning experience. For example, if the students are designing a travel brochure, each person can choose their own destination, but everyone will learn the same technology skills.

The instructional materials will be available to educators in April 2004. To learn more about the Florida Curriculum Adoption Process visit the following links:

§ Evaluation Criteria: http://www.firn.edu/doe/instmat/pdf/evaluation-form.pdf

§ Learning Objectives: http://www.firn.edu/doe/instmat/pdf/computer.pdf
Computer Applications 6-8 p. 47
Computer Applications 9-12 p. 53

October 2003

TECHNOKids Computer Curriculum is Correlated to NETS

TECHNOKids computer curriculum meets ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students. Each project has been correlated to NETS.

• Primary Projects: Grades K-2

• Junior Projects: Grades 3-5

• Intermediate Projects: Grades 6-8

• Senior Projects: Grades 9-12

More News

Faith Lutheran School and Granville T. Woods  School has selected
TECHNOKids ...

Congratulations!

• Faith Lutheran School has selected TECHNOKids ... to be their project-based curriculum provider for the child and computer .   They will be using the awesome Teacher Projects.

• Granville T. Woods School will be using TECHNOKids to teach their computer kids.  They selected all six Projects!