Computer Explorers teaches children how to use technology as a tool to further their education. (photo courtesy of Storye book, via Wikimedia Commons)

As Assistant to the Director of the East Windsor Recreational Center for the city of East Windsor, NJ, Barbara Vinch understands the powerful role Computer Explorers programs play in a child’s life. She spoke with us about the many ways she sees children benefitting from having Computer Explorers in her center.

How did you come to incorporate Computer Explorers into your center?
Our center has been using Computer Explorers programs for the last 5 to 6 years. Our former director made the initial pitch to get Computer Explorers’ curriculum into our center.

How do Computer Explorers programs foster learning?
At the end of each program, we do a review with parents and get great reviews for Computer Explorers programs. Parents praise the positive reinforcement our programs provide. They also like how their children are able to take the knowledge they learn at our center and bring it home to continue using it on their own computer. Every eight weeks, the Computer Explorers instructor changes program formats, which enables children to continue building on their knowledge.

What do you like about offering these programs?
Students can build on their skills — it’s a learning experience for them. Some children have never had previous exposure to a computer. We have children between kindergarten and fifth-grade who are now using laptops.

Can you describe a typical class?
Currently, we are offering an eight-week computer-based technology class. On one project, students get to build a comic strip using the computer. They develop original ideas for stories using their own imaginations. They use their own verbal knowledge to develop the script. This is a lot different than a basic arts and crafts class.

How does Computer Explorers affect the way children use technology?
It all depends on what knowledge level a student is at. Computer Explorers instructors have to work with all ages and skill levels in one classroom. Children may not even know how to use a keyboard before entering a Computer Explorers program. They may not even have a computer in their home, meaning we may be literally taking them from nothing. The great thing about the Computer Explorers programs is that each class has only around 10 to 12 students, which offers a lot of one-on-one interaction between student and teacher.

How important are the classes for children?
Computer Explorers courses are very important. If parents don’t have the time to teach, these programs give our kids a start so they won’t get behind.

Do you have any examples of it making a big difference in a child’s life?
I don’t have a specific direct example because I only get feedback from our parent reviews. However, last year we almost had to cancel a Computer Explorers course because there weren’t enough students enrolled. One of the fathers, who understood the value of the program, asked how many students were needed to fill the class and he offered to pay for their enrollment so his child could attend. I think that shows how much these programs matter to parents who understand what Computer Explorers has to offer children.

East Windsor Recreational Center is served by Computer Explorers of Mercer & Hunterdon Counties. Owner Jenifer Morack can be contacted at 609-751-6870 or director@computerexplorersnj.com. Founded in 1983, Computer Explorers is the original child technology education franchise. The company broadened its scope to provide innovative STEM-based programs for schoolagers in after school and summer camps, and to teach Microsoft ® applications to students in elementary schools. The company is expanding its offerings in 2012 to include professional development for educators and technology teachers in schools. For more information about Computer Explorers programs, visit www.computerexplorers.com.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the Computer Explorers conference in Maryland (which happened to coincide with Privateer weekend… aka “Pirate Weekend”). I delivered a brief presentation about how iPads could be used in the classroom and shared a list of 10 of my favorite FREE product-based apps.

Computer Explorers Teacher of the Year, CEO, and Me!

One app in particular seemed to strike a chord. The app in question is Snapguide and it essentially allows you to create step-by-step guides for any topic. Most guides focus on DIY projects, crafts, and cooking, but I decided to use the app to create step-by-step technology tutorials for my teachers.

When you launch the app, you are prompted either to create an account or login with Twitter or Facebook. From there you can explore existing, popular,and featured guides, or create your own.

To create your own, choose a title for your “how to” guide, add a list of supplies, and begin adding your steps. Each step can include text, photo, or video with a brief text description below. Don’t worry about making sure your images or videos are in order when you import them; they can be rearranged later. You can also add in an additional step at any time.

Once a guide is complete, you can share the guide via your favorite social network or email it . The url of the guide takes you to a website where you can view and share the app on a device or a computer. At this time, you cannot create guides on the web (only through the app), but I am hoping that will be a feature added later.

As I mentioned before, the app is truly what you make out of it and therein lies the beauty, intrigue, and possibilities. Check out how this local teacher uses Snapguide to demonstrate how to write in cursive:

Samuelson's Class Snapguide for "How to Write in Cursive"

How will you use Snapguide with your students, your teachers, or your parents?

Ruben Gonzales, Olympic luge contestant and motivational speaker, was a guest on “Inside Computer Explorers” radio show recently. He discussed how technology has impacted Olympic sports training and performance – from using 3D headcams and tweaking race strategy, to using special strength-measuring tools and custom-designing individual workout programs.

 One of my key takeaways was a comment Gonzales credited to his father: Don’t wait to get your sock in a row. If you have something to do, do it now! And because my job involves education, not sports, I leaped to thinking about better teachers and professional development.

 We in education no longer have to centralize our learning around attending conferences; we don’t have to busy ourselves with mundane tasks or delaying tactics (putting socks in a row) while waiting for the next inservice to be held so that we can improve our techniques and strategies.

 Read and write: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest provide online interaction with peers and experts. I don’t think anyone seriously says that social media is a “time suck” any more. I am responsible for what I do with my own time, and if I use it to learn something useful, I am my own mentor.

 See and hear: YouTube, TED/talks, Khan Academy and YouStream all provide learning options – both live and recorded. Pick your area of interest and start a search.

 Interact and learn: Video Skype and video MSN, Google Hangouts allow us face-to-face opportunities to meet and question core experts, although we may be a world apart – literally!

 The key, of course, is not to wait until a peer or a mentor guides us – we need to get started. Gonzales may stretch his body, but we can stretch our minds. NOW is the time to leave our sock drawers in a mess and explore the virtual world!

Computer Explorers instructor Alice Brown teaches technology at St. Mary's Elementary School in Sacramento. (Photo courtesy of Alice Brown)

Alice Brown has been teaching Computer Explorers courses for eight years. For the last seven, she has been the full-time technology instructor at St. Mary Elementary School, a K-8 school in Sacramento.

How long have you been working with Computer Explorers?
I’ve been teaching technology for Computer Explorers for eight years. I was hired in 2004 to implement the Computer Tots program at two local preschools. I took a laptop, printer and other peripherals such as a digital microscope once a week to the schools. Using a variety of age appropriate software, I worked with three students at a time for 30 minutes teaching them basic technology skills. I started teaching at St. Mary’s in 2005, where I’ve been teaching K-8 students for seven years as part of CE’s Integrated Technology Resources Program. I also teach CE’s TechStars program in the afternoon at Saint Mary’s; TechStars is an afterschool enrichment program that provides the students the opportunity to learn video game design, engineering, robotics, stop motion animation, movie making and more.

How did you come to work with Computer Explorers?
I found my way to Computer Explorers by coincidence. The franchise owner used to work with my husband in marketing at a large telecommunications corporation. We happened to run into her at a local restaurant. My interest was piqued when she began sharing her recent business venture, Computer Explorers. I asked for her business card and we met at a later date to talk about the possibility of working together.

What is your educational and professional background?
I received my bachelor’s in Family and Child Development. I went on to run a large state-funded childcare center that offered services to low-income families with children from 6 months to 9 years of age. When my own children were born I had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. However I did part-time work as a teacher’s aide in my children’s school district and as a test evaluator scoring standardized tests. I also took computer courses at the local junior college to keep my job skills current. I have always been involved in childcare and education in some fashion.

I did the Computer Explorers teacher training in Houston. I am not what you would call a digital native, but I was always interested in technology. One of my favorite things about this job is that it challenges me to stay up with the latest in technology. I have to do my homework to keep up with my students every day.

What do you like best about teaching these programs?
My class sizes are 36 to 40 students, and I have to be able to adapt the curriculum for my environment; the flexibility of the Computer Explorers curriculum allows me to do that. I have learned how to make it work in my environment.

How does Computer Explorers complement what kids are learning in your classroom?
I integrate my lessons with what the teachers are doing in their class. For example, the third-graders recently went to a local farm. Before the field trip we watched a You Tube video about the farm and then they made a numbered list using Microsoft Word of the things they thought they might see at the farm. When they returned from the field trip, we edited the list to include everything they actually saw.

How tech-savvy are the students you work with? Have you noticed a change over time as new ones start?
There is huge growth in what the kids are able to do from when I first started teaching at Saint Mary seven years ago. Some of it is due to the fact that these students are exposed to so much more technology than they were just a few years ago, but much of it is due to the training they are receiving in the computer lab.

People say these programs help build problem-solving skills among young students. Do you have some examples?
The curriculum is set up in such a way that students are working in teams of two to complete their projects. With my size classes, I depend on students to collaborate and work together. I do some guided teaching to learn a new skill. Most often if one student doesn’t get it the first time, their partner can help them.

How do Computer Explorers programs foster collaborative learning?
They are assigned a partner and they have to work with that partner. They are free to lean over the next computer station and show students what to do or how to problem-solve.

With most application software, there is no one single way to do things, so we are learning from each other all the time. They are always sharing and we are learning something new together.

Are there any instances that are especially memorable?
I do basic computer operations at beginning of the year. We look at the physical insides of a PC. The system case of an old desktop PC is left open on a table in the back of a room for the students to handle, and one day a fifth-grader walked in and said, “One day, I’m going to build one of these!” (He takes TechStars in the afternoon.)

I recently had an experience where a former student who’s now in college came back to visit. He said he was so glad that he learned how to do formulas in spreadsheets in 8th grade, because it helped immensely in high school and college.

How important is it that youngsters get this type of training early?
Technology is exciting for children, and even if they’re not getting it in the classroom, they will get it on their own. If they aren’t getting directed learning, they will get splinter skills, which means they will be really skilled in some areas but extremely inefficient in others. If you catch them early you can build on their skills and close those gaps. For example I start teaching keyboarding as early as first grade. First grader’s hands aren’t big enough to reach the home row keys, so I have them start by placing their middle fingers on the ‘d’ and ‘k’ keys. They are starting to think about the keyboard as having a left and a right side before they develop the bad habit of “hunt and peck”.

Once they get to high school, their teachers will expect them to know how to use Excel, Word and PowerPoint. It’s expected, but where do you get the training? We teach children not only how to use the features of a word processing program, but also the five parts of a formal letter. With PowerPoint, we teach them what makes an effective slideshow presentation, not just how to animate the text.

Coming home from the Mobile 2012 conference in Phoenix, I met a father of two girls in line for the San Antonio flight. Both girls were passing the time with mobile devices. The elder one was voraciously reading Archie comics on an iPhone and the youngest was thumbing through photos from the photo gallery on the iPad. Being a bit of a chatty Kathy, I struck up a conversation about mobile devices and apps. The father had mentioned that it was quite difficult to locate good apps for his girls… and that he exclusively used the app store for his searches.

I quickly started rattling off a few apps such as Puppet Pals, Sock Puppets, Toca Boca, and Lil Kitten Shopping Cart. By his surprised and intrigued expression, I quickly deduced that he had never heard of any of these gems. Short of jotting a list down on the corner of a boarding pass, I realized it might just be quicker and more useful to email him a list.

While mobile devices are becoming more and more prevalent in schools and at home, ways to locate sound educational, purposeful, and economical apps has been a bit convoluted to say the least.

After our appy conversation, I deduced that a list of the top 11 FREE apps every parent of children should download the very day they open their brand new shiny iPad might be a useful resource to share. While most of these apps are product-based in nature, they are all very intuitive and engaging and easily support creativity and interest. (The three with an asterisk would be most appropriate for preschool/primary students.)

1. Puppet Pals/Sock Puppets/Toontastic: This is really a 3 for 1 as all of the apps are free and essentially produce similar results.
1. Puppet Pals allows children to create puppet shows with a default pack of characters. (My son still watches puppet shows that he and I created together months ago and saved within the app.) I will say that the Director’s Pass for all of the character packs and the ability to add your own characters and backgrounds is well worth the $2.99 price tag.
2. Sock Puppets allows children to create puppet shows that are limited to 30 seconds with multiple sock puppets and backgrounds.
3. Toontastic allows children to create multi-scene stories with toons that include mood music and plot.
2. ScreenChomp enables children to tell/draw a story or explain anything in their world and create a video product.
3. Videolicious is a very cool and intuitive app that creates a professional looking video with narration, photo, music, and video. Perfect for a recap of a trip or vacation!
4. Doodle Buddy is a fantastic drawing app that includes stamps, stencils, and backgrounds and can be used to create poetry or simply doodle.
5. ABC Magnetic Lite* is literally a magnetic alphabet. It does include additional packs for purchase but my two boys have had a jolly ol good time spelling words with the free version.
6. Albums FX Lite/iPen FREE: This is another 2 for 1 situation. Both apps allow children to create a book which can be exported as a PDF or as separate images.
1. Albums FX Lite only allows one book to be created at a time but the full version allows for unlimited book creations. Books can include text, audio, video, images, clipart, and animations.
2. iPen FREE is similar to Albims FX Lite but is limited to text, images, and drawing.
7. Video Star/Vidrhythm: While both of the apps could be assigned educational value, they could simply be an engaging and entertaining way to pass time.
1. Video Star allows children to create their own music videos with the music on their iPod/iPhone/iPad.
2. VidRhythm includes multiple templates to create amusing 80′s like music videos.
8. Songify will create a song from anything you speak.
9. StoryLines for Schools is a great way to be engaged on vacations or road trips. It is similar to the telephone game and offers a varying multi-player features.
10. My PlayHome Lite* is a fully interactive doll house. Only the two rooms are available in the lite version – the paid version was well worth the $3.99 upgrade.
11. Lil Kitten Shopping Cart* is a delightful shopping cart game where children help a cat locate items on a shopping list in a grocery store.

My PlayHome Lite Interactive Dollhouse

FREE apps aside… I will say that my two preschool boys have their favorite paid apps as well:

1. Anything by Toca Boca! My son repeatedly watched the Youtube video for Toca House before the app was available and out of all of the apps we own, these get played the most often.
2. The Monster at the End of the Book is a wonderful interactive version of the beloved original.
3. Roxie’s Doors is a story book that prompts children to locate a list of objects in each interactive room.
4. Spot the Mistake is a story book that includes a “what’s wrong with this picture” in each scene.

Roxie's Doors Interactive Storybook

Seeing a true need for a way to easily access FREE educational apps that were appropriate for an age group or content area, I recently created the TechChef4u app which is essentially an educational sortable app store of 500+ FREE apps suitable for children and students. The TechChef4u app is now currently available for FREE in the iTunes app store!

TechChef4u FREE App Database

What are your MUST HAVE FREE educational apps for the iPad?

The Apple iPad is a powerful way to introduce children to computing. Photo courtesy of RichN, via Wikimedia Commons.

Young children discover the world through touch. Anybody who has young kids, or teaches them, knows how much curious toddlers love to reach out for anything that interests them.

That’s why, when 2- and 3-year-olds play for the first time with a Computer Explorers Apple iPad, the result can be magical.

Since young students can swipe the screen on an iPad, they can start using technology immediately — even before they develop the keyboarding and mouse skills they’ll need to master other computers.

“Young children seem to intuit how to use the iPad, because they explore their world primarily by seeing, reaching and touching ,” says Cyndee Perkins, the director of curriculum and program development for Computer Explorers. “The trick is turning iPads into a learning tool and not just a toy.”

Thousands of educational apps make the iPad a powerful learning tool. But with the right courses and instruction, Computer Explorers students can learn a lot more than how to use an app — they learn how to build one.

Computer Explorers’ youngest students learn computer basics — such as the difference among monitor, keyboard and CPU — in ComputerTots, Computer Explorers’ program for preschoolers. In ComputerTots, classes of three and four students collaborate as they work with computers and iPads.

As students’ skills advance, they can tackle robotics, video game animation and REALbasic computing. Eventually, children learn how to use the Android operating system to create their own apps.

“Technology like the Apple iPad fires children’s imaginations, and we keep that fire burning,” says Computer Explorers president Carol Hadley. “We show children how they can use math and science to turn their ideas into reality.”

Computer Explorers offers a range of courses that teach science, math, engineering and technology concepts to children in preschool through elementary school. To find a location near you, go to www.computerexplorers.com/locations.

Carol Hadley

Computer Explorers, the leading technology education franchise in the US, is expanding services under the leadership of Carol Hadley, its new president.

Hadley is an experienced business leader with a history of producing growth results, most recently with Houston-based Graco Awards, a premier manufacturer of military medals such as the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart. While at Graco, Hadley helped start a sister company and was responsible for tripling revenue within one year. Hadley brings the same passion for business development to Computer Explorers.

“Education technology is at its most pivotal point in the past twenty-five years,” says Hadley. “As classroom technology advances, Computer Explorers is positioned to offer solutions for teachers and to help an entire generation of students harness the power technology offers.”

In Computer Explorers classes, over 33,000 students a week learn tech skills through fun and engaging programs like digital movie making, video game animation and LEGO robotics, all overseen by franchisees with passion and experience. Hadley is driving the company to take advantage of current classroom trends that have created huge demand for teacher technology training.

“We have the most advanced curriculum in the country for childcare centers, elementary schools, summer camps, rec centers and after care programs,” says Hadley. “With the introduction of tablets, wireless enabled devices and the flipped classroom, schools are struggling to train teachers how to use technology; we do an excellent job of responding to that need.”

Child service-based franchises are growing at a rapid pace this year, driven by education systems struggling to increase test scores and proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math With job opportunities in STEM fields expected to grow explosively in the coming years, demand for education services that emphasize technology is at an all time high.

“It’s a great time for Computer Explorers and we are the right company at the right time,” says Hadley. “…possibly the best time in our 27 year history!”

For more information about Computer Explorers, visit www.computerexplorers.com.

Kids demonstrating their Lego Robotics.

NBC News recently featured Computer Explorer’s Colorado franchise owner, Ross Parrent, in a segment on Lego Robotics Leagues. The Leagues are quickly becoming a popular way to teach children about science, mathematics and engineering.

Parrent facilitates the First Lego League competition in Windsor, Colorado. Computer Explorers students make up most of the team members on the current Windsor championship team.

“Lego Robotics are a lot more than playing with toys and computers,” said Parrent, who owns and operates his franchise with wife Rebecca. “They not only teach kids critical math, science and technology skills, but also allow them to work together as a team while having fun.”

The competition challenges the students to collaborate in designing, building and programming Lego robots to perform specific tasks, but operating within the confines of a 4 x 8 foot table. Over 3,000 kids are involved in Lego Robotics in Colorado this year and 279 teams, with students ranging in age from 9-14, compete in the league.

View the two minute NBC 9 video here.

Computer Explorers franchise owners are involved with Lego robotics in most areas and it has become one of the most popular technology classes for children. Computer Explorer often offers Lego Robotics class in school and at recreational centers, after-care programs and summer camp sessions.

For more information on Computer Explorers, visit www.computerexplorers.com.

Christine Summa

Computer Explorers: How long have you been working for Computer Explorers? How did you come to work for the local franchise?
Christine Summa: I’ve been with Computer Explorers for eight years. Prior to CE I worked as a supervisor at an insurance company, as a bank teller and as a stay-at-home mom. When my kids started school, I began teaching preschool but was looking for other employment. Being a Computer Explorers teacher enables me to work while my children are in school, spend time with them and do what I love all the same.

CE: What is your educational and professional background?
CS: I went to the University of Connecticut and studied English and psychology. When I heard about Computer Explorers, I knew they were looking for someone who was good with the little ones, organized and technology-savvy. It was a perfect fit. I have learned so much from teaching these programs, and my director is great about having training sessions to keep everyone up to speed on the latest technology.

CE: What do you like best about teaching these programs?
CS: There are many wonderful things about these programs. The children are always happy to see me, and they enjoy what they’re learning very much. I usually only teach three children at a time — all very well-behaved — which enables me to spend a lot of one-on-one time with the kids. My director, Michelle Hershey, is great to work with. Overall, teaching for Computer Explorers is just a happy experience.

CE: Can you describe a typical ComputerTots class?
CS: ComputerTots classes are 30 minutes long. We have a puppet whose name is CT, for “ComputerTots.” I always hide something inside of CT’s shell that pertains to our lesson. Next week we’ll be learning about digital microscopes. In CT, I’ll have magnifying glasses and will ask the students what magnifying glasses do, and we’ll talk about how they make things look bigger. I give them a chance to think and let them come up with the answer. Then I say, “That’s what the microscope does, too!”

I also start each class with a little educational song: I’m a little computer, just for you. Here is my monitor, and my CPU. Can you find my keyboard and CD-Rom? Just click the mouse to start the fun. I’m a high achiever, and I expect my children to be, too. We’ll use the computer to show languages – we’ve done Spanish, French and Mandarin. We use the computer to teach sciences. This week we’re doing a magnets game on computers, and we also did a static electricity experiment. I always write a note to parents to let them know what their child is learning and what they were able to do. Positive reinforcement goes a long way with the kids!

CE: How do children react to your class?
CS: Kids love coming to class. I’ve had a lot of parents tell me that kids aren’t always happy to go to school, but they’re thrilled to go to school on Tuesdays because they get to go to ComputerTots. They like what they are learning, and it makes them happy.

CE: How tech-savvy are the students you work with? Have you noticed a real change over time as new ones start?
CS: I have found that parents don’t spend time teaching their children about computers at home. So some of the children are tech-savvy and some not at all. It’s amazing to see how the children grow over a two-year period. A lot of them will come to me without knowing how to use a mouse, and by the time they leave the program, they are comfortable with the language and know how to confidently use the computer and navigate through the programs on their own.

CE: People say that these programs help build problem-solving skills among young learners. Do you have some examples?
CS: I think that’s true. They enjoy solving puzzles and are proud of themselves and their peers when they do. I like to give each child their own time to figure out the problem. It’s amazing what the other children learn just by watching others take turns. We were building machines on the computer yesterday. Some things worked, some did not, some children I had to give some hints to. But they all figured it out, and they were proud of themselves. They got a real sense of accomplishment.

CE: How do Computer Explorers programs foster collaborative learning?
CS: With ComputerTots, it’s more about one-on-one interaction and giving children a chance to do things directly. However, the children learn to take turns, watch and listen while others are participating. It teaches them to be patient and to collaborate.

CE: Are there any instances that are especially memorable?
CS: I spend a lot of time getting to know these kids over a year or two, and I’m proud of seeing them improve. That’s what I like. I like seeing them go from not very skilled or very confident, and four months later they’re amazing. And they know it. That’s the moment that I enjoy.

CE: How important is it that youngsters get this type of training early?
CS: I think its very, very, very important. School is getting harder and harder every single year. It was harder for my daughter who is in college than it was for me, and it’s tougher now for my high school freshman than it was for my college sophomore. They have to be good at everything. In kindergarten, they’re expected to read a book and take an online test to answer 10 questions. Then in second grade they’re expected to type a page for a report, and in fourth grade, they have to do PowerPoints. It’s the new way of the world, and I enjoy helping prepare these students for the rest of their lives.

For more information about Computer Explorers programs, visit www.computerexplorers.com.