TechnoKids Releases Professional Development Materials for Office 2007
May-03-09
TechnoKids has released a set of technology projects designed to prepare teachers to use Microsoft Office 2007. The instructional materials include activities to learn how to use popular applications efficiently such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Each project includes a teacher guide, workbook, and resource files. The materials can be used to offer a teacher training workshop or as an independent study course.
Vice President, Christa Love, explains the rationale for the new teacher products, "Many schools are beginning to update their software in the computer lab. The latest version of Microsoft Office is significantly different from previous Office versions. The removal of the menu bar, creation of the ribbon, and added new features, require teachers to update their knowledge of Microsoft Office. To make this transition easier, TechnoKids has created teacher training materials."
Most adult training materials are designed for people working in a business office environment. Often the scenarios are not relevant to an education environment. For this reason, TechnoKids designed activities specifically for teachers. For example, lesson plans explain how to create a handout in Microsoft Word, electronic grade book in Microsoft Excel, and open house presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint. Interwoven throughout technology projects are reflective activities that encourage teachers to make connections to their practice.
To help teachers transfer their learning in the classroom, worksheets have been included that explain how to integrate technology into curriculum. Step by step instructions outline how to complete a task. Teachers can use the detailed lesson plans to teach their own students.
To learn more about the professional development instructional materials for Office 2007 in North America, call 1.800.221.7921 or email information@technokids.com to locate a TechnoKids Associate in your area.
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The Transition to Office 2007 is Made Easier with TechnoKids Computer Curriculum
February-18-09
TechnoKids Inc. has more than forty technology projects for Office 2007. TechnoKids began creating a product line for Office 2007 in anticipation that teachers would need updated instructional materials. The materials make using the new software easy because each technology project includes a teacher guide, workbook, and resource files.
TechnoKids customers appreciate the creation of the new instructional materials. Ryan Bibby, a Grade 8 teacher, from John Knox Christian School in Oakville, Ontario, states, "We have been using the TechnoKids product for years. When our school updated the computers to Office 2007 this year, the IT committee purchased an updated set of curriculum for teachers. Having the new materials made the transition to Office 2007 easier."
The curriculum development team at TechnoKids Inc. is pleased that teachers are finding the new Office 2007 technology projects easy to use. Hella Comat, a teacher for thirty years, joined the team to assist with the update to the instructional materials. She commented on the release of the Office 2007 projects, "When the curriculum team began to update the TechnoKids projects, we all realized the importance of having activities that taught students how to use the new features in Office 2007. For this reason, not only did we update the instructions and create new templates, we also added activities that included many of the fun new program options."
The curriculum development team, not only revised the activities but they also developed additional resource materials. Customer feedback demonstrated a need for assessment tools. The technology projects include more review questions, skill reviews, self-assessment tools, and marking sheets. Hella believes that teachers are going to appreciate the improvements.
To learn more about the TechnoKids Office 2007 product line refer to the project matrix.
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