News

TechnoKids 2010 Packet Scheduled for Release August 20 2010

TechnoKids Inc. is scheduled to release a TechnoKids packet that contains over 30 technology projects for Office 2010. TechnoKids Inc. will have an Office 2010 packet ready by August 20, 2010. It will include 12 primary projects, 10 junior projects, and 9 intermediate projects. The price of the packet is available from the TechnoKids Online Store.

Originally the plan was to hold the product release until the Fall when the entire product line would be updated for Office 2010. However, many schools start classes in August and require the curriculum a bit earlier. For this reason, TechnoKids Inc. is staggering the release of the 2010 product line to help teachers get the instructional materials they need faster. Vice President Christa Love describes the early release date: "Schools are installing the latest Microsoft Office version over the summer onto the school's computers. When the teachers return to the classroom they need to have curriculum that matches the installed software. We decided it was essential that when teachers return from summer vacation they are prepared for their computer classes."

For this reason, the release of TechnoKids Computer Curriculum will be staggered. The intial release will occur in August. Later, additional sets of technology projects will be included with the package, and the price will be adjusted to reflect the inclusion of more Office 2010 technology projects. At the end of September the camp set will be added to the Office 2010 package and shortly thereafter, in October the teacher set will be added to the Office 2010 package. Customers who already purchased the Office 2010 packet will be able to upgrade their purchase to include the new Office 2010 technology projects once they are released.

Teachers can email information@technokids.com to learn more about TechnoKids Computer Curriculum.

EDARA Group and Knowledge Hub Bring TechnoKids to Kuwait

The EDARA Group partners with Knowledge Hub to bring TechnoKids Computer Curriculum to children in Kuwait. Surekha Kembhavi, Managing Director of Knowledge Hub in United Arab Emirates was pleased to make the announcement yesterday, "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Knowledge Hub has signed a sub franchise for TechnoKids in Kuwait."

The EDARA Group was formed in 2008. It provides companies and individuals with management solutions, career development, and training to increase their business value. In addition, the EDARA Group organizes events for children including summer camps and clubs. Within its strategic plan, EDARA group is building a new K-12 Education business line concerned with quality and education for the future. This business line was established by one of EDARA's founders, Mona Bughaith, the Executive manager, and supported by Hind AL Subeeh, its General Manager. These two ladies chose TechnoKids to be the beginning of this business line.

TechnoKids' innovative technology projects are a great way for the EDARA group to expand their business to offer diverse and creative services. The TechnoKids technology projects provide real world simulations to teach technology skills. The focus on project-based learning is what attracted Hind AL Subeeh, to want to use TechnoKids Computer Curriculum, "I like the business-oriented themes that are part of the TechnoKids projects. Students assume the role of a professional in the workplace such as an entrepreneur, investor, web designer, or travel agent. I believe that learning technology skills in this way help prepare youth for the future."

Scott Gerard, founder of TechnoKids Inc. is happy to welcome Hind AL Subeeh and her entire team to the TechnoKids family. Scott Gerard commented on the growth of the company, "I began TechnoKids seventeen years ago when I saw there was a need to prepare children for life in a digital world. The business has expanded beyond my wildest dreams. Today, TechnoKids technology projects are used to teach thousands of children around the world. I am proud to have the youth in Kuwait become "TechnoKids."

To learn more about TechnoKids in Kuwait, contact Hind AL Subeeh the General Manager of the EDARA Group.

• Telephone: +965 22629002/3
• Email: kuwait@technokids.com
• Website: http://www.edaragroup.com

TechnoKids Computer Curriculum for Office 2010

TechnoKids Inc. plans to release curriculum for Office 2010. The curriculum development team is currently updating the product line for Microsoft's latest office suite version. The projected release date is scheduled for September 2010.

The curriculum team is pleased to include many of Microsoft's new program features into the instructional materials. For example, the Remove Background command allows sections of a photograph to be removed to create a transparent image. This feature is easy to use and the curriculum team wanted to include it into the projects. Look for this new feature in the latest version of TechnoMovie.

Moreover, the curriculum team was thrilled that the new WordArt feature introduced in PowerPoint 2007 is now available in the 2010 version of Word, Excel, and Publisher. Children like to be able to use colorful text in their publications and now it is simpler than ever!

Another, option that is being included in the latest instructional materials is the introduction of Text Effects. In the past, the font effects were difficult to access. Many people did not know they existed because they were part of the Font dialog box. However, now outlines, shadows, reflections, and glows can be applied to text quickly using a command on the Home tab. TechnoKids took advantage of the ease of using this command and has included it in many projects.

For Office 2007 users, Office 2010 will look similar. However, for users upgrading from Office XP or 2003, the difference in the newest office suite are significant. TechnoKids technology projects help both teachers and students use Microsoft Office software to complete meaningful activities. Contact TechnoKids Inc. to find out if your school qualifies for a curriculum upgrade.

Computer Lessons for Kindergarten Students using Kid Pix Deluxe 4

Are you interested in activities you can do in the computer lab with kindergarten students? TechnoKids Inc. has just published a bundle of five technology projects. These projects use the early learning software, Kid Pix Deluxe 4. Each project is developmentally appropriate for children aged four to five and have been tested by kindergarten teachers. The bundle includes TechnoBasics, TechnoColors, TechnoLetters, TechnoNumbers, and TechnoShapes. There are several options for purchasing the new projects. They can be bought individually, as a bundle, or as part of the Primary Computer Curriculum Set.

The five technology projects in the Kid Pix Deluxe bundle integrate into curriculum: TechnoBasics: Students acquire basic skills to become a Computer Whiz. TechnoColors: Students demonstrate an understanding of color to create artwork. TechnoLetters: Students use the computer to learn the letters of the alphabet. TechnoNumbers: Students count, sort, trace, draw, type, and animate numbers. TechnoShapes: Students learn about shapes and create unique designs.

The Kid Pix Deluxe 4 lesson plans are a fun way to introduce kindergarten students to computers. Although TechnoKids Inc. is known for creating fun activities using Microsoft Office, the kindergarten bundle of technology projects does not use Office applications. Instead, all the lesson plans use Kid Pix Deluxe 4. Curriculum developer Laurie Gerard explains why this software was selected, "Kid Pix software has been around for years. Kindergarten children love the colorful environment, easy to use tools, and fun animations. This software makes children want to use the computer to create."

Lydia Bosch the senior kindergarten teacher at John Knox Christian School, is enjoying the TechnoKids curriculum and using it to teach her students. She describes the experience, "Initially I was worried about teaching computers to my SK class, but using the TechnoKids curriculum has made it easy. The lesson plans are very thorough and manageable. The SK students have really enjoyed learning the Kid Pix program and can't wait to get back in the computer lab every week!"

For several years, the curriculum development team tested using software such as Word and PowerPoint with four and five year old children. The results were disappointing. The Office environment required a level of mouse control that few kindergarten students had developed. It was decided that even though TechnoKids could create kindergarten materials using Office applications that the quality of the activities would suffer. Christa Love, vice president of TechnoKids states, "Many schools do not want to invest in software for kindergarten students. Instead, they would like to use the Microsoft Office applications they already have installed on the computers. However, we just reached a point where we had to say, 'just because we could, didn't mean we should'. Kindergarten students are at a critical age when you want to foster a love of technology. Kid Pix does that."

Classroom Quilt - TechnoShapes

The Kid Pix Deluxe technology projects offer teachers valuable resources. Each project includes worksheets that students can complete offline. These worksheets are helpful if a teacher needs to divide the class into two groups. One group can complete the computer activity, while the other students wait their turn by completing the worksheet. The technology projects also include printable manipulatives that students can use to develop their understanding of colors, letters, numbers, and shapes outside of the computer lab. As well, extension activities allow students to transfer their learning to new tasks. There are a wide-range of teaching ideas including recipes, crafts, and games. Other helpful resources include Kid Pix templates for students, sample files to model a finished product, videos that demonstrate a concept, or cards that act as a visual aid. Moreover, each project includes customizable resources such as reviews, parent letters, and certificates. Learn more about the Kid Pix Deluxe bundle.

Order a Project Any Time on Any Day and Receive your Download Immediately

TechnoKids Inc. has just launched an updated download system. This addition to the new TechnoKids Storefront means that customers will receive their orders even faster. Orders for one or two projects will now be processed immediately.

No longer will customers have to wait for regular business hours. Instead, project orders placed on Sunday afternoon or Wednesday night, will be available for download right away. This change in the electronic download system will help teachers prepare for their upcoming classes without having to worry about how quickly they can access the instructional materials.

Scott Gerard, president and founder of TechnoKids Inc. states, "There was a need for TechnoKids to update our ordering system. Our customers are living in different time zones all over the world. We needed a 24 hour store that made it fast and easy for teachers to order product."

TechnoKids Inc. has been making improvements to their online store over the past year, to make purchasing TechnoKids Computer Curriculum easier. Several features were added to the catalog including promotions, advanced search feature, and icons with the Office version to avoid confusion when ordering. The latest update to the TechnoKids Storefront means that ordering projects just became simpler.

When a customer places an order for one or two projects, the product is available as an electronic download. If the customer places the order using a credit card, the secure system authorizes the payment. Once authorized, an email is sent to the customer that contains a link. When the link is clicked, the product can then be downloaded to the customer computer. It is just that simple!

The secure download system was designed by Bob Gill from i2bGlobal.com, which is a local Canadian company. Bob commented about the new addition to the TechnoKids Storefront, "i2bGlobal.com specializes in custom e-commerce business solutions. We were pleased to be able to give TechnoKids customers quick access to project downloads."

TechnoKids customers placing orders for one or two projects, using a purchase order will still need to wait to download their instructional materials. Purchase orders are manually processed. This means that an electronic download using this payment method will be issued during regular business orders. Only customers using the online store and paying with a credit card will be able to download projects immediately.

Teaching Ideas for Windows Live Movie Maker

TechnoKids Inc. has recently updated several projects with instructions for Windows Live Movie Maker. TechnoProducer, TechnoDrama, and TechnoCommercial are now available for Microsoft's latest version of movie making software.

Windows Live Movie Maker is a free download for Windows 7 and Vista users. Although Windows XP and Vista came with Movie Maker, the latest version of Microsoft's operating system does not include this software. Instead, users must download it from http://download.live.com/moviemaker.

Windows Live Movie Maker is different from previous versions of the software. Microsoft wanted to create a simpler program for editing photos and video to produce movies and slideshows. The TechnoKids projects take advantage of the new features available in the program.

In TechnoProducer, students film video footage and then edit the content to produce a simple movie. Fun new sample movies are included to offer inspiration.

In TechnoDrama, elementary students give a modern twist to a nursery rhyme. The digital story is filmed using basic equipment and edited using the fun features available in Windows Live Movie Maker.

In TechnoCommercial, middle school students create a commercial. They study sample advertisements to study selling and camera techniques. Later, these methods are applied when making to their own commercial.

TechnoKids customers that own a licensed version of TechnoProducer, TechnoDrama, or TechnoCommercial will qualify for upgrade pricing when ordering the Windows Live Movie Maker version. To learn more email support@technokids.com.