News 2011

Puerto Rico Welcomes TechnoKids

Dreyfous & Associates has obtained the rights to distribute TechnoKids Computer Curriculum in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1993, Dreyfous & Associates specializes in providing educational technology products and services. The partnership with TechnoKids is especially fitting as the mission of both companies is to develop products to teach technology skills as part of an integrated curriculum.

Dreyfous & Associates offers diverse and comprehensive instructional technology services, including providing filtered Internet to over 250 private schools and public libraries throughout the island of Puerto Rico. Dreyfous & Associates developed EduSystem, which fully integrates technology into all areas of the curriculum. Through EduSystem, teachers and students have access to a collection of digital courses for all subjects and grade levels, thereby minimizing their dependency on printed resources such as textbooks while at the same time maximizing the use of digital resources.

Dr. Ricardo Dreyfous, president of Dreyfous & Associates is excited about this new opportunity. He states, “TechnoKids will greatly enhance our catalog of products and services as it will surely have a positive impact on our students.” He explains that many schools in Puerto Rico lack a structured computer curriculum. TechnoKids’ complete range of curriculum, a sequenced set of projects from kindergarten to high school, is an ideal fit for these schools. Using the project based learning approach of TechnoKids curriculum, students will gain technology skills in an integrated learning environment.

• TK Servicios
• Telephone: +502.5315.1266
• Email: guatemala@technokids.com
• Website: http://www.technokids.com.gt

Travel the Internet to Discover the Sites

Are you interested in teaching your students about the Internet? TechnoJourney is a technology project that introduces students to the wonders online. Select a destination and then travel to each location to complete Internet computer activities. The destinations are organized around the following places: Visitor’s Center, e-Library, e-Media Center, e-Playground, e-Mail Depot, and e-Café. Keep track of where you have visited using an Internet Passport.

You can select the destinations that are best-suited for your students based on their experience, access to resources, and time: Experience: Consider whether your students are beginners or if they already possess some Internet skills. Resources: Examine any network restrictions or school policies that may limit Internet based activities such as viewing online videos, sending e-mail, or chatting. Time: Determine the time you have to complete the activities as this will greatly influence the number of destinations your students visit.

TechnoJourney offers teachers flexibility:

• Teach the Entire Project or a Few Assignments: You do not have to visit every destination. Select the locations that will teach the Internet skills best-suited to your students.
• Select Assignments Based on Grade Level: You can teach some assignments to younger students and more challenging assignments to your older students simply by selecting different destinations to visit.
• Revisit the Project throughout the School Year: TechnoJourney can be the technology project you return to throughout the school year. For example, if you have a few classes before Spring Break you can travel to the Webcam Observatory or if there are several children away one day, the rest of the class can visit the Arcade.
• Select Activities Based on Student Needs: TechnoJourney offers a range of Internet activities. This allows you to select assignments based on the needs of your students. For example, if there is a need to review Internet research skills your students can visit the Research Corner. Or, if an issue with cyberbullying arises, you can travel to Social Media Place and discuss this issue.

PLAN YOUR e-JOURNEY

	Attend an Orientation Meeting at the Visitor’s Center – Plan the e-Journey at the visitor’s center. To gain access to the Safety Booth, students receive a safety stamp in their passport (Assignment 1). This permits them to participate in a seminar where they learn Internet guidelines and earn their Internet Citizenship Card.
	All Aboard Internet Explorer & Search Engine Station – Jump onboard Internet Explorer to learn how to use web browser tools and the meaning of Internet terminology. Students receive a search stamp in their passport (Assignment 2/3) to obtain access to Search Engine Station and practice using basic search strategies.
	Collect Bookmarks in the Favorites Center – Apply skills to find favorite places on the Internet. Students receive a bookmarks stamp in their passport (Assignment 4) which permits them to save the location of favorite places in the Favorites Center or their student folder.
	Homework Helper for School – Students obtain homework help. They receive a school stamp in their passport (Session 1 Extension Activity) which allows them to enter the School. While in this location, they bookmark homework helper websites.
	In the e-Library – Students visit the Research Corner of the e-Library to learn about the type of research material available on the Internet. They receive a research stamp in their passport (Assignment 5/6) which grants them the ability to review web pages and assess the quality of information.
	From the News Rack – Students become familiar with current events. They receive a news stamp in their passport (Session 2 Extension Activity) which gains them access to the News Rack where they read popular newspapers and magazines.
	Search the Image Gallery at the e-Media Center – Take an excursion to the e-Media Center and stop by the Images Gallery. Students receive a photos stamp in their passport (Assignment 7) allowing them to view the gallery of online images and collect pictures in their student folder.
	Visit the Video Theater at the e-Media Center – Students watch videos at the Video Theater. They receive a videos stamp in their passport (Assignment 8) which lets them view documentaries, speeches, demonstrations, and entertaining footage.
	Survey the Map Collection at the e-Media Center – Develop map-making skills. Students receive a maps stamp in their passport (Session 3 Extension Activity) which permits them to visit the Map Collection to plot a location and generate directions.
	Experience the Arcade at the e-Playground – Have fun playing games. Students receive a games stamp in their passport (Assignment 9) which enables them to visit the Arcade where they play online games and rank the entertainment value.
	Explore the Sound Stage at the e-Playground – Visit the Sound Stage. Students receive a music stamp in their passport (Assignment 10) which lets them listen to online radio stations, sound clips, and favorite songs.
	Visit the Webcam Observatory at the e-Playground – Observe remote sites at the Webcam Observatory. Students receive a webcams stamp in their passport (Assignment 11) to be able to view streaming video or images of events and attractions from around the world.
	At the Bank – Learn about online banking. Students receive a banking stamp in their passport (Session 4 Extension Activity) to acquire permission to interview an adult at the Bank to discover the reasons people use online banking services.
	At the Shopping Mall– Learn about online shopping. Students receive a shopping stamp in their passport (Session 4 Extension Activity) to interview an adult at the Shopping Mall to determine the reasons people purchase items from online stores.
	Exchange E-Mail at the e-Mail Post Office – Send e-mail to communicate. Students receive an email stamp in their passport (Assignment 12-14) to gain entrance into the e-Mail Post Office. There they learn e-mail safety, netiquette, how to exchange messages, and attach files.
	Visit the e-Card Shop to Send E-Cards – Students mail electronic greeting cards. They receive an ecards stamp in their passport (Session 5 Extension Activity) to visit the e-Card Shop where they send a family member or friend an e-card that recognizes a special event or achievement.
	Chat with Friends in the e-Café– Students chat with friends. They receive a chat stamp in their passport (Assignment 16/17) that grants them the ability to exchange messages in real-time in the Chat Room.
	Network at Social Media Place – Students socialize at Social Media Place. They receive a social media stamp in their passport which gains them entry into Social Media Place. There they explore social media sites (Assignment 18) and the blogosphere (Session 6 Extension Activity).

To read more about this technology project visit TechnoJourney.

To order TechnoJourney, please visit the TechnoKids Store.

Decipher Clues to Catch the Crook

TechnoKids has just released TechnoClue for Office 2010 and Office 2007 users. In this project, students track down the clues to crack the case. They become police detectives in TechnoVille. To start, students take a quiz to discover if they have the qualities to become a Super Sleuth.

What rank of police detective are your students?

Super Sleuth Detective Rookie

Next, students put their sleuthing skills to the test when they narrow down the list of suspects in a Microsoft Access database to solve the Mystery of the Stolen Door Knobs, Case of the Power Prankster, and Mystery of the Mischief Maker. Afterwards, they transform a photo into a composite drawing using Paint and then enter the information about the suspect into a database. View Sample Lessons from TechnoClue

To prepare for the next case, students learn how to use Windows Search to find files. These skills are then applied to reveal the identity of the Keyboard Crook in the Mystery of the Missing Keys. An Investigation folder is provided with the TechnoClue technology project. It contains the files needed to solve the case. Students must decipher the meaning of hidden clues. They watch a video captured from a security camera, study a photograph taken by a witness, and view evidence found at the scene of the crime. Can they solve the case?

Upon the arrest, students broadcast a news story to report the capture to the citizens of TechnoVille using Microsoft PowerPoint. They follow step by step instructions to insert text, clip art, and pictures to create informative slides. To add interest animations and transitions are applied to draw the attention of viewers. Provided with TechnoClue are a checklist and marking sheet to assess and evaluate the news story.

News Story: The Keyboard Crook is Caught!

This technology project is best-suited for Grades 5-7 elementary students. The mystery lesson plans are a great way to introduce databases to students in an enjoyable way. In addition, the activities promote deductive reasoning.

Customers may recognize the TechnoClue title. Over a decade ago, TechnoKids Inc. had a TechnoClue project for Office 97 and Office 2000 users. It was retired many years ago when the creation of the Office 2007 product line began. However, despite all the time that had passed, customers continued to request the project. It was one of their favorites to teach. TechnoKids was pleased to create a new set of activities that both old and new customers will enjoy.

To read more about this technology project visit TechnoClue.

To order TechnoClue, please visit the TechnoKids Store.

Computer Animation Lesson Plans for High School Students

TechnoKids Inc. has just released TechnoFlash CS5. This technology project includes lesson plans to teach computer animation to high school students. The teacher guide, student workbook, templates, and sample movies included in TechnoFlash enable students to create an animated story that is Out of this World.

Students begin the project by learning how to use the drawing tools to create objects. Once familiar with how to draw, they use their skills to create the first scene in their space adventure. Click here to view a sample lesson that explains how to use the Flash Drawing Tools with fun drawing challenges that include a flower, car, bear, and chick.

Students gradually acquire animation skills. First, they learn frame-by-frame animation to gain an understanding of the importance of keyframes. Next, they create motion and shapes tweens. Afterwards, they learn how to use the Bone Tool to animate a robot that dances. Finally, they use a motion path to cause a spaceship to blast through the sky.

Once the scenes are complete, students learn how to insert sounds into the Timeline. They then export their movie to share with friends. View a sample movie created using the Flash CS5 lessons in TechnoFlash.

TechnoFlash includes ideas for creating Flash projects such as an animated scene, short story, or e-greeting card. In addition, sample movies are provided to inspire creativity.

To read more about this technology project visit TechnoFlash for Flash CS5 .

To order TechnoFlash, please visit the TechnoKids Store.

Raise Environmental Awareness

Are you teaching an environmental unit or do you just want to celebrate Earth Day? TechnoEnvironment has lesson plans for you! In this technology project, students create publications using Microsoft Publisher to raise environmental awareness.

There are many fun environmental lessons in TechnoEnvironment. Students can create a postcard, poster, or pamphlet. There are also extension activities that explain how to produce an environmental map, calendar, or banner. View a sample environmental lesson that explains how to create a postcard.

When designing this project, it was imperative that educators have the support material to teach environmental topics. Research can be time consuming. In addition, many websites or books are written using scientific jargon that is difficult for students to understand. For this reason, TechnoKids Inc. created fact sheets on a range of environmental topics. Each sheet outlines the cause of the problem, harmful effects, solutions, and interesting facts. They can be used as the sole information source, as a means to acquire background knowledge, or as a starting point for further research.

acid rain clear cutting endangered reefs fuel emissions garbage global warming invasive species

kudzu invasion mountaintop mining nuclear energy oil sands overfishing plastic pollution water consumption

TechnoEnvironment is written as a typical TechnoKids technology project. It has a series of assignments that gradually introduce technology skills. Students learn basic skills to create the postcard. Next, additional tools and program features are used to produce the poster. Finally, students acquire advanced skills including how to organize information in a table and construct a quiz to make the pamphlet.

If instructional time is limited, teachers can pick and choose activities, without having to teach every assignment. For example, students can just make the postcard or poster. In addition, TechnoEnvironment contains skill reviews that target specific environmental topics such as garbage, plastic pollution, fuel emissions, and water consumption. The skill reviews have a fact sheet on one side and instructions for making a publication on the second side. The skill reviews can be used in place of the assignments if time is an issue. For example, the fuel emissions skill review has students create a standing pamphlet. This is a simple, less intense task that could be used in place of the two-sided pamphlet.

Within the technology project are fun activities suitable for an Earth Day celebration. For example, students can create a two-page banner, calendar, or environmental map, which can be completed in only one class. These activities are best-suited for children that have a basic understanding of Microsoft Publisher tools.

TechnoEnvironment is for Microsoft Publisher 2007 and 2010. View a detailed description of the environmental activities. To order the project, visit the online store.

Mosaic LLC Adds TechnoKids Computer Curriculum to Education Services

Mosaic LLC has partnered with Knowledge Hub to bring TechnoKids Computer Curriculum to children in Sultanate of Oman. Surekha Kembhavi, Managing Director of Knowledge Hub in United Arab Emirates was happy to make the announcement, "I am very excited to announce that we have sub-franchised Oman and now we have a TechnoKids representative in that country."

Mosaic LLC education services division recently added TechnoKids Computer Curriculum to its product line. Mr. Daljit Nayak, Senior Manager of Business Operation and Development and Mrs. Soumya Rai, School Coordinator are pleased to offer project-based instructional materials to international and private bilingual schools in Sultanate of Oman. The company has a long history of promoting computer literacy using innovative products and services.

To learn more about TechnoKids in Sultanate of Oman, contact Mr. Daljit Nayak, Senior Manager of Business Operation and Development of Mosaic LLC:

• Telephone: +968-24-475-789
• Email: daljit.nayak@mosaicz.com
• Website: http://www.mosaicz.com

TechnoKids Releases New Senior Technology Project: TechnoAdvertise

New Senior Project Announcement

TechnoKids is announcing the launch of an exciting, new technology project designed for senior students. TechnoAdvertise is an advanced curriculum project for high school grades using a project based learning approach. Students role play as they apply for a job at an advertising agency and then design a variety of different advertisements using Microsoft Word.

TechnoKids Vice President Christa Love is pleased to release the new project: “TechnoAdvertise is a terrific resource for high school teachers in a variety of curriculum areas – business, computer, career, marketing, and interdisciplinary studies. Students design a variety of documents, such as a personal resume, cover letter, advertising flyer, product catalog, and newsletter that are relevant, engaging, and fun. Concurrently, they are building advanced word processing skills to meet curriculum expectations.” Christa also explains how the assignments in TechnoAdvertise build life and workplace skills that students will likely use and apply. She states: “In this project, students follow a step-by-step guide to plan, organize, write, and format documents such as a resume and cover letter. These are essential skills for all young people.”

Teach One Task, Two, or All
New to this latest TechnoKids project is the ability to ‘pick and choose’ from the assignments. The teacher can use the project to teach the entire project based unit with all five documents in TechnoAdvertise.

However, should time or relevance to the curriculum area require, the teacher can easily limit the tasks assigned. Parts of the project can be taught independently.

For example, a guidance or career studies instructor may wish to teach only Session 1 where students follow detailed instructions to plan, write, and create a professional looking cover letter and resume in order to apply for a job.

A technology education teacher may select Session 2, in which students learn advanced desktop publishing skills to design a graphic advertising flyer.

Sessions 3 and 4 instruct students in the creation of a product catalog, ideal for a computer studies course. Students choose a topic of interest and then create a sample catalog, learning advanced word processing skills:

In Session 5 students learn to use mail merge to create a custom form letter and mailing labels. A business studies teacher may choose to select this part of the project.

If the teacher does choose to teach all the sessions, the last assignment incorporates all skills learned in the previous assignments. The creation of a final newsletter in Session 6 allows students to demonstrate and review their newly acquired knowledge of advanced word processing skills.

Advanced Microsoft Word Skills and Technology Integration
The structure of TechnoAdvertise has been carefully crafted to allow students to learn advanced word processing skills in an organized and logical pattern. The tools of each tab of the Microsoft Word ribbon are introduced: Home tab in Session 1, Insert tab in Session 2, Page Layout tab in Session 3, References tab in Session 4, Mailings tab in Session 5, and Review tab in Session 6. The documents that students create in TechnoAdvertise teach virtually all of the commands on the ribbon in Microsoft Word.

Students first complete an ‘explore and investigate’ assignment for each set of tools and then they apply their skills. To make their learning relevant, these skills are learned in the context of real-world assignments: a job resume and cover letter, an advertising flyer, a product catalog, a form letter, and a newsletter. Brain research has shown that learning is more effective and long lasting when students are engaged in challenges that are meaningful to them.

Additional Enrichment Activities, Reviews, and Skill Reviews
Following each of the six sessions are optional resources that teachers can use to evaluate, review, or extend student learning. TechnoAdvertise includes challenges with detailed instructions showing students how to:

Plan a mock job interview Write a job acceptance letter Design a poster Create and insert a Microsoft Excel bar chart or pie graph Make a fax cover sheet Try advanced tips and tricks to work with columns and tables Learn about citations and bibliographies

Flexible Time Structure
TechnoKids projects are designed to be completed in approximately 2 to 3 weeks, assuming that students have computer access for about 90 minutes per day. Teachers can readily adapt TechnoAdvertise to suit their purposes. In Session 1, students look at resume and cover letter samples and then are guided through a question process to plan their own resume. If students are unfamiliar with job applications and require more discussion or planning time to complete this process, teachers may extend the project timeline. Optional resources included with TechnoAdvertise offer activities such as mock interviews to further explore this critical workplace skill.

Alternatively, if time runs short, assignments may be set aside or eliminated without affecting the project. If students have less experience with Microsoft Word, teachers may choose to exclude the product catalog. The newsletter is a review of all skills, so teachers can omit this product if they feel students already have a good grasp of word processing skills.

Lessons Plans and Resources
Included in TechnoAdvertise are illustrated, detailed, step-by-step lesson plans and all the resources needed:

• Teacher Guide
• Student Workbook
• Assessment Tools – Marking Sheets, Checklists, and Summary of Skills
• Sample Completed Documents
• Review Questions
• Skill Reviews
• Handouts – Parent Letter, Certificate

In TechnoAdvertise, students acquire advanced word processing skills as they use their creative talents to produce unique documents with a professional style. To read more about this technology project visit TechnoAdvertise.

To order TechnoAdvertise, please visit the TechnoKids Store.

TechnoPhotoshop CS5 Release Announced

TechnoKids Inc. has published the release of TechnoPhotoshop CS5, instructional curriculum to teach photo editing to high school students. The teacher guide, student workbook, templates, and sample photos included in TechnoPhotoshop enable students to create a digital scrapbook: a collection of photographs that have been filtered, touched up, color enhanced, and edited to create fabulous and extraordinary images.

Students begin the project by learning about digital cameras and how to take high-quality photos. Using either their own pictures or sample photos provided in the TechnoPhotoshop resources, they apply filters, such as Transform and Warp modes, to create interesting and unique layouts.

Traditional retouching techniques are also introduced in TechnoPhotoshop CS5. Students learn how to use the Photoshop tools to trim edges, remove red eye, hide blemishes, and recolor a photo.

One of the most fascinating effects that can be created using Photoshop is the transfer of a part of a photograph onto another. In this way, the picture of a student can be removed from its background and placed onto another photo to create a very realistic looking yet magical effect. For example, students can place a photo of themselves swimming with sharks, climbing Mount Everest, walking on the moon, posing with a wild animal, or partying with a favourite celebrity.

Students complete the project by combining their five scrapbook pages into a presentation which is then shared with their peers.

TechnoPhotoshop is an excellent way to introduce students to both the traditional and creative capabilities of photo editing software. To read more about this technology project visit TechnoPhotoshop for Photoshop CS5 .

To order TechnoPhotoshop, please visit the TechnoKids Store.