FAQ

A site license gives the purchaser the right to use TechnoKids Computer Curriculum at a particular location or site. The site license grants the purchaser the right to print unlimited teacher guides for the staff working at that site. It also grants the right to print unlimited student workbooks for students learning at that site. Moreover, it permits the transfer of files to an unlimited number of computers located at that site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

A site is defined as a geographical location such as an elementary school, high school, training center, learning center, college, or university. TechnoKids computer curriculum may be used to teach at a single, designated location. If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

The purchaser can print an unlimited number of teacher guides for teachers that are working at the site. The purchaser can also print an unlimited number of student workbooks for students learning at that site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

The purchaser can place resource files onto an unlimited number of computers at a particular site. Moreover, a teacher can load the resource files onto a home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

A teacher can load resource files onto a home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

An unlimited number of students can use the curriculum. The students must be learning at the designated site. No distance learning is permitted by our site license. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

An unlimited number of teachers can use the curriculum. The teachers must be teaching at the designated site. No distance learning is permitted by our site license. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.

If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement. Special pricing is available for multiple curriculum site licenses.

TechnoKids Computer Curriculum is similar to a set of electronic books containing teaching ideas. We call these ideas projects. A project is a set of activities that use the computer to complete a theme-related task such as create a magazine, presentation, or web-based tool. A project is comprised of a teacher guide, student workbook, and resource files.

A teacher guide is a set of instructions about how to complete a particular project. A typical teacher guide consists of a project overview, preparatory steps, teaching strategies, lesson plans, learning objectives, assignments, answer keys, review questions, skill review, and extension activities. The teacher guide should be printed.

A student workbook is a collection of assignments that include step by step instructions with pictures to explain how to complete a task. The student workbook can be printed or viewed digitally on a monitor.

Resource files are digital files needed to complete project activities. The resource files include customizable handouts, sample files, templates, bookmarked Internet Favorites, and flashcards. In the Preparing to Teach section of the teacher guide, an explanation of which files need to be transferred to computers and those that need to be printed are described.

Resource files are digital files needed to complete project activities. There are many different types including handouts, templates, sample files, flashcards, teacher resources, skill review files, Internet Favorites, or assessment tools. Below is a description of each resource file.

• Handout: A handout is a customizable document that is distributed to students. This often takes the form of a parent letter summarizing project activities or a certificate designed to celebrate student accomplishment.
• Template: A template is a file used to complete a task.
• Sample File: A sample file is a completed assignment. Teachers can show students these files as a model.
• Flashcards: Flashcards are enlarged pictures of program tools placed on a 3.75” x 3.75” (9.75 cm x 9.75 cm) card providing an essential visual aid. These can be used to create a bulletin board or used to review the function of program tools.
• Teacher Resources: Teacher resources are materials intended for the sole use of the teacher. These include answer sheets, supplemental instructions, or visual aids. Teachers use the resource materials when teaching a session.
• Skill Review File: A skill review file is used to complete activities that focus on practicing technology skills addressed in the project.
• Internet Favorites: Internet Favorites are bookmarked Internet addresses made available to students to assist in completing activities.
• Assessment Tools: Assessment tools include a checklist of skills and/or a rubric for grading the final product.

Assessment of students should be multi-dimensional. The TechnoKids Computer Curriculum provides teachers with review questions and skill reviews to measure student knowledge. At the end of each project, a checklist summarizing the technology skills addressed in the project is provided. In addition, many projects include a rubric or marking sheet that can be used to grade the final product.

Student input is an important part of assessment. For this reason many projects have checklists to allow students to assess their own work.

Peer evaluation is also an essential element of assessment. Many projects end with an assignment that has students share their work. Peers offer positive feedback about the technology product.

Project based learning is a unique approach to teaching technology skills. In many classrooms students learn how to use the computer by completing lessons focused on a software application, such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This can lack interest for students and does not meet their individual needs.

With our approach to learning students complete fun projects that focus around problem solving tasks. Students learn information and communication technology skills gradually as they complete activities such as publishing a magazine, creating a multimedia storyboard, or developing a website.

Project based learning is personally meaningful to students. This is because everyone in the class is learning the same technology skill, however within the boundaries of the project each student can select a topic based on their interests.

More more information, view project based learning.

There is no standard answer on how long it takes to complete a project. A typical project is divided into seven sessions. Typically, a session takes between 60-90 minutes to complete depending on the grade level. However, this does not account for the time needed for review questions, skill review, or extension activities.
Based on this time frame, a typical project takes between 400-600 minutes to complete. This is about 6-8 weeks if your students come into the lab twice a week. However, if your students come into the computer lab every day, a project can be completed in about 2-3 weeks.

You can complete between three and five projects per school year at the elementary school level. However, a high school student who typically attends classes every day would be able to complete the same number per semester.

In more and more schools today, technology is recognized as an instructional tool, not as a subject of instruction. TechnoKids Computer Curriculum offers a wide-range of lesson plans that integrate the use of the computer into student learning. The technology projects address language arts, mathematics, social studies, geography, science, health, and visual arts. To learn more view the Overview document that explains how each TechnoKids project addresses skills in various subject areas.

In many classrooms students learn how to use the computer by completing lessons focused on a software application, such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This can lack interest for students and does not meet their individual needs.

With our approach to learning students complete fun projects that focus around problem solving tasks. Students learn information and communication technology skills gradually as they complete activities such as publishing a magazine, creating a multimedia storyboard, or developing a website. To learn about the IT skills addressed, view the Overview document.

Yes, the curriculum is field-tested. The TechnoKids curriculum development team works directly with local schools in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Teachers at these schools test each project. Our unique relationship with local schools offers the TechnoKids curriculum development team valuable feedback. This ensures our curriculum has clear instructions, has a relevant theme, is interesting to students, and is developmentally appropriate.

Yes. Complete the form to gain access to our secure downloads area. This will allow you to print out an entire project for each curriculum category. The samples offer an example of the structure of the teacher guide and content of the student workbooks.

Often we hear the comment, "You only put your best projects on the downloads area. They are probably not all like this". This is not the case. However, we are happy to prove it! Simply complete the contact form and in the comments area request to see a particular guide.

Our product is Windows-based. Although our curriculum can be used on a Mac-based system this is not without complications. We find that the TechnoKids Computer Curriculum does not view properly on a Macintosh as the file names are too long. For example a folder would read as Tech~004 instead of TechnoReport. However, once the teacher guides and student workbooks are printed, the instructions for completing each assignment are similar between the Windows and Macintosh versions of Microsoft Office.

We do have schools using our materials that have Macintosh computers. However, they printed the teacher guides and student workbooks using a Windows-based PC. Moreover, their staff has needed to make some adjustments to the assignments.
If your school has Macintosh computers you need to consider the confidence level and technical knowledge of your staff. Our product is not suitable if your teachers lack confidence when using technology and possess only basic computing skills. This is because they will be unable to easily make modifications and could become frustrated or discouraged. Only a knowledgeable, confident, computer user would feel comfortable using our product on a Macintosh.

No, you do not need a computer lab. Our curriculum can be used to teach children in a computer lab setting, computer pod (2-4 computers), or on a stand alone computer. The student workbooks allow children to work independently to complete a project.

No, you do not need the Internet. All of the projects that use the Internet have files web archived so that it simulates the process of using Internet Explorer without being connected to the World Wide Web. Moreover, those assignments that use the Internet to gain information or pictures can be modified to include the use of interactive encyclopedias, books, or a scanner.

No, you do not need high-tech hardware. All you need is a computer that has at least a 500 megahertz (MHz) processor or higher with 256 megabytes (MB) RAM or higher.

The only software that you require is the Microsoft Office suite of applications; however, several projects do use Flash and Photoshop. In addition, a set of projects for Kindergarten and preschool children use KidPix Deluxe 4.

No problem, just teach the project guides that use the software already on your computers. Most projects use only the basic Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, and Internet Explorer.

Our projects are written for Office 2000, Office XP, Office 2003, Office 2007, and Office 2010.

Not necessarily.

It is true that most of the TechnoKids curriculum is written to work with the Microsoft Office series of programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. The directions are quite specific, including pictures and step-by-step instructions. It would be somewhat difficult for students and teachers to follow the instructions using a comparable but not identical office suite.

The ability to alter the product is limited, making it difficult to alter the instructional materials to work with a different office suite. Although some of the files in the projects are customizable, such as the review activities, skill reviews, parent letters, certificates, and evaluation forms, the Teacher Guides and Student Workbooks are in PDF format and are not customizable. In fact, the site license agreement prohibits reverse engineering the product, which means that for the most part customizing the materials to another office suite is not possible.

However, some projects contain instructions that are transferrable to a different office suite. TechnoKids projects that teach spreadsheet skills are written for Microsoft Excel, but most spreadsheet software is similar. Directions, skills, and tools can be more easily identified and adapted to other programs.

It is important to note that TechnoKids curriculum support is only provided for Microsoft Office. TechnoKids does not offer curriculum support for other office suites.

There are TechnoKids projects that do not use Microsoft Office. These can be completed on any Windows computer:

• TechnoArtist uses Paint, which comes with Windows system software.
• TechnoPC introduces primary students to computers in general and teaches about mouse skills, computer parts, input and output, keyboarding, and computer care.
• TechnoDrama, TechnoCommercial, and TechnoProducer use Windows Movie Maker, which comes with Windows system software.
• TechnoPhotos uses PhotoFiltre, a free, downloadable software.
• TechnoExplorer teaches junior students about the Internet, using Internet Explorer.
• TechnoHTML teaches intermediate students how to make a web page from HTML coding, using Notepad and Internet Explorer.

Each of the above projects is described in more detail on our website.

A teacher does not need to be a computer whiz. Each of our projects has detailed point and click instructions, pictures, and samples so that teachers can effectively integrate ICT into their lessons.

Depending on your location, training is available for teachers. However, you need to contact TechnoKids Head Office to locate a TechnoKids Associate in your area.

The teacher guides and student workbooks are in PDF format. This means you need Adobe Reader to view the files. A version of this software is available on the CD or as a free online download from Adobe. Install this software and you will be able to view the teacher guides and student workbooks.

There are several options for printing the teacher guides and student workbooks. You can print them out on your local printer. However, you can also take the files to your local copy center and have them print out the materials for you.

The project guides are created to be printed on double-sided paper.

There are several ways to select a project. TechnoKids offers a project matrix which is a document that recommends a grade level for each project. Teachers can use this document as a guide when selecting a project to teach. Another way to make a decision is to consider which projects will integrate into curriculum units you have already planned based on the project theme. Still another option is to select a project based on your students' interests.

There are several ways to sequence the projects. TechnoKids offers a project matrix which is a document that recommends a sequence for teaching each project. Teachers can use this document as a guide when selecting a project to teach. Another way to make a decision is to consider which projects will integrate into curriculum units you have already planned based on the project theme. Still another option is to select a project based on your students interests.

If you have any questions about our curriculum contact us. Our support staff will provide you with the assistance you need right away.

• Email Support: Complete Online Form
• Toll Free Support: 1.800.221.7921 (North America only)
• Telephone Support: 1.905.631.9112

When you order the TechnoKids Computer Curriculum Site License on a CD you receive a binder. Inside the binder is the site license agreement, product overview, and the curriculum placed on CDs. On each CD are project folders. Inside each folder are the teacher guides, student workbooks, and resource files needed to teach the project.

When you order an Individual Project Site License as a downloadable file, you receive an email. The email contains a username, password, and hyperlink to the file. You click on the hyperlink and key in your login information to download the file. The project is "zipped", which requires extraction software, such as WinZip to extract.

• Toll Free Order: 1.800.221.7921 (North America only)
• Telephone Order: 1.905.631.9112
• Facsimile Order: 1.905.631.9113

No. Shipping and handling is free.

Expect delivery 7 business days after you order the product.

Yes we do accept PO numbers.

We accept American Express, MasterCard, and VISA.

Pricing for TechnoKids Computer Curriculum is set by local distributors. To learn more about pricing and product availability in your area complete the contact form.

Yes, there is special pricing for multiple site licenses. Complete the contact form and in the comments area outline the number of schools and curriculum required for each location. We will be happy to provide you with a fair price.