News 2004

TechnoKids Curriculum Approved in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has approved the use of TechnoKids computer curriculum in government schools. For many years TechnoKids curriculum has been used in private schools throughout the country. Government approval of TechnoKids unique instructional materials, allows thousands more students to learn valuable information technology skills needed to compete in the international community.

Starting in the new year, TechnoKids curriculum will be used in KG, primary, intermediate and secondary government schools. TechonoKids Saudi Arabia CEO Faten Salah states, "In January 2005, at the beginning of the second semester, more than 20 schools will start using TechnoKids curriculum. The staff at the schools are pleased to be using our materials because they believe the wide range of projects are fun for students and offer meaningful learning opportunities”. Mrs. Faten expects another 20 schools to participate next year. She states, that it was both the unique project-based learning style used in TechnoKids curriculum and the success TechnoKids Saudi Arabia had achieved in the private schools that impressed the Ministry of Education.

In addition to computer curriculum, TechnoKids Saudi Arabia also provides a full technology plan for schools, including a computer lab, lab supplies and maintenance, and a school web site. To find out more about TechnoKids Saudi Arabia, contact Faten Salah at saudiarabia@technokids.com.

TechnoKids is Jammin’ and Jazzin’ with Technology!

EDUCATORS AT NECC SEE TECHNOKIDS COMPUTER CURRICULUM AS SOLUTION FOR TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION IN TODAY’S SCHOOLS

Oakville, ON, July 5, 2004. TechnoKids is Jammin’ and Jazzin’ with Technology after an exciting debut appearance at the NECC! The National Educational Computing Conference organized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from June 21-23, 2004. TechnoKids Inc. made its first appearance at the show, exhibiting its technology curriculum and offering educators sample projects to try in their classrooms.

Upon return from the NECC, TechnoKids is pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with so many educators who share the commitment of teaching the skills of tomorrow…today! The NECC was host to almost 13,000 attendees who came together in collaboration to improve the use of technology in education - a vision that TechnoKids has been sharing worldwide for over 10 years.

Christa Love, TechnoKids Vice President, was delighted about TechnoKids presence at the conference, but also the response from attendees, many of whom were looking forward to using the computer curriculum in their own classrooms. “The scale of the NECC is unparalleled. This is the largest computing conference designed to inform educators about technology in the classroom, and I’m thrilled that TechnoKids is here to share our message”, remarked Love.

Educators and technology specialists of all kinds came to learn about TechnoKids and the exciting range of computer curriculum for students in six categories: Primary (ages 5-7), Junior (ages 8-10), Intermediate (ages 11-13), Senior (ages 14-17), Camp (ages 7-12), and Teacher materials for professional development.

The show was international in its scope and diverse in its attendees. TechnoKids reached out to educators from 9 different countries, including Australia, Bermuda, Canada, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Romania. There was a tremendous presence of American educators, who represented nearly all States from coast to coast.

Overall, TechnoKids is thrilled to have shared their product and their message on such a large scale, next to industry leaders such as Dell and Microsoft, and classroom staples such as Harcourt and Scholastic.

The 2005 NECC will be held in Philadelphia, and TechnoKids Inc is looking ahead to this next opportunity after the success of NECC 2005.

Computer Technology Solutions becomes an Accredited Provider of CPE Classes

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.

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, “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.

Smart Kids 2004 – Into Their World

Come and join us at the biggest Education Fair in Malaysia. Smart Kids 2005 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 2004will 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 abilities in various areas.

Organised 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 SmartKids.com or tel +60-3-33433128.

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.

Come and Join us at NECC 2004

Come and join us at the 25th annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) June 20-23 in New Orleans, Louisiana. TechnoKids Inc. is at booth 1561.

The conference is a great way to learn about teaching practices, emergent technologies, and technology integration. Join 16,000 educational leaders in New Orleans for NECC 2004!

NECC is presented by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) in cooperation with the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE).