FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We understand that you have questions about TechnoKids Computer Curriculum. Read the information below to learn more about our product.
About the Curriculum Site License
What is a Site License?
A site license gives the purchaser the right to use TechnoKids Computer Curriculum at a particular location or site. The site license grants the purchaser the right to print unlimited teacher guides for the staff working at that site. It also grants the right to print unlimited student workbooks for students learning at that site. Moreover, it permits the transfer of files to an unlimited number of computers located at that site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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What is considered a "site"?
A site is defined as a geographical location such as an elementary school, high school, training center, learning center, college, or university. TechnoKids computer curriculum may be used to teach at a single, designated location. If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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How many teacher guides and student workbooks can I print?
The purchaser can print an unlimited number of teacher guides for teachers that are working at the site. The purchaser can also print an unlimited number of student workbooks for students learning at that site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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How many computers can I transfer resource files onto?
The purchaser can place resource files onto an unlimited number of computers at a particular site. Moreover, a teacher can load the resource files onto their home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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Can I put the resource files on my home computer?
A teacher can load resource files onto their home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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How many students can use the curriculum?
An unlimited number of students can use the curriculum. The students must be learning at the designated site. No distance learning is permitted by our site license. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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How many teachers can use the curriculum?
An unlimited number of teachers can use the curriculum. The teachers must be teaching at the designated site. No distance learning is permitted by our site license. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement.
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I teach at more than one school can I use the curriculum at each location?
If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses. For detailed information refer to the site license agreement. Special pricing is available for multiple curriculum site licenses.
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About the Computer Curriculum
What is a project?
TechnoKids Computer Curriculum is similar to a set of electronic books containing teaching ideas. We call these ideas projects. A project is a set of activities that use the computer to complete a theme-related task such as create a magazine, presentation, or web-based tool. A project is comprised of a teacher guide, student workbook, and resource files.
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What is a teacher guide?
A teacher guide is a set of instructions about how to complete a particular project. A typical teacher guide consists of a project overview, preparatory steps, teaching strategies, lesson plans, learning objectives, assignments, answer keys, review questions, skill review, and extension activities. The teacher guide should be printed.
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What is a student workbook?
A student workbook is a collection of assignments that include step by step instructions with pictures to explain how to complete a task. The student workbook can be printed or viewed digitally on a monitor.
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What are resource files?
Resource files are digital files needed to complete project activities. The resource files include customizable handouts, sample files, templates, bookmarked Internet Favorites, and flashcards. In the preparing to teach section of the teacher guide an explanation of which files need to be transferred to computers and those that need to be printed are described.
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What type of resource files do I receive?
Resource files are digital files needed to complete project activities. There are many different types including handouts, templates, sample files, flashcards, teacher resources, skill review files, Internet Favorites, or assessment tools. Below is a description of each resource file.
- Handout: A handout is a customizable document that is distributed to students. This often takes the form of a parent letter summarizing project activities or a certificate designed to celebrate student accomplishment.
- Template: A template is a file used to complete a task.
- Sample file: A sample file is a completed assignment. Teachers can show students these files as a model.
- Flashcards: Flashcards are enlarged pictures of program tools placed on a 3.75” x 3.75” (9.75 cm x 9.75 cm) card providing an essential visual aid. These can be used to create a bulletin board or used to review the function of program tools.
- Teacher resources: Teacher resources are materials intended for the sole use of the teacher. These include answer sheets, supplemental instructions, or visual aids. Teachers use the resource materials when teaching a session.
- Skill review file: A skill review file is used to complete activities that focus on practicing technology skills addressed in the project.
- Internet Favorites: Internet Favorites are bookmarked Internet addresses made available to students to assist in completing activities.
- Assessment tools: Assessment tools include a checklist of skills and/or a rubric for grading the final product.
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What forms of assessment are provided?
Assessment of students should be multi-dimensional. With the TechnoKids Computer Curriculum teachers are provided with review questions and skill reviews to measure student knowledge. At the end of each project a checklist that summarizes the technology skills addressed within the project is provided. In addition, many projects include a rubric that can be used to grade the final product.
Student input is an important part of assessment. For this reason many projects have checklists to allow students to assess their own work.
Peer evaluation is also an essential element of assessment. Many projects end with an assignment that has students share their work. Peers offer positive feedback about the technology product.
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What is project-based learning?
Project Based Learning is a unique approach to teaching technology skills. In many classrooms students learn how to use the computer by completing lessons focused on a software application, such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This can lack interest for students and does not meet their individual needs.
With our approach to learning students complete fun projects that focus around problem solving tasks. Students learn information and communication technology skills gradually as they complete activities such as publishing a magazine, creating a multimedia storyboard, or developing a website.
Project Based Learning is personally meaningful to students. This is because everyone in the class is learning the same technology skill, however within the boundaries of the project each student can select a topic based on their interests.
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How long does it take to teach each project?
There is no standard answer on how long it takes to complete a project. A typical project is divided into seven sessions. Typically, a session takes between 60-90 minutes to complete depending on the grade level. However, this does not account for the time needed for review questions, skill review, or extension activities.
Based on this time frame a typical project takes between 400-600 minutes to complete. This is about 6-8 weeks if your students come into the lab twice a week. However, if your students come into the computer lab every day a project can be completed in about 2-3 weeks.
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How many projects can I teach in one year or semester?
You can complete between three and five projects per school year at the elementary school level. However, a high school student who typically attends classes every day would be able to complete the same number per semester.
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Does the curriculum integrate into other subject areas?
In more and more schools today, technology is recognized as an instructional tool, not as a subject of instruction. TechnoKids Computer Curriculum offers a wide-range of lesson plans that integrate the use of the computer into student learning. The technology projects address language arts, mathematics, social studies, geography, science, health, and visual arts. To learn more view the Technology Integration document that explains how each TechnoKids project addresses skills in various subject areas.
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What technology skills does the curriculum address?
In many classrooms students learn how to use the computer by completing lessons focused on a software application, such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This can lack interest for students and does not meet their individual needs.
With our approach to learning students complete fun projects that focus around problem solving tasks. Students learn information and communication technology skills gradually as they complete activities such as publishing a magazine, creating a multimedia storyboard, or developing a website. To learn about the IT skills addressed view the Technology Skills document.
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Is the curriculum correlated to NETS?
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Is the curriculum field-tested?
Yes, the curriculum is field-tested. The TechnoKids curriculum development team works directly with local schools in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Teachers at these schools test each project. Our unique relationship with local schools offers the TechnoKids curriculum development team valuable feedback. This ensures our curriculum has clear instructions, has a relevant theme, is interesting to students, and is developmentally appropriate.
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Can I view a sample of an entire project?
Yes. Complete the form to gain access to our secure downloads area. This will allow you to print out an entire project for each curriculum category. The samples offer an example of the structure of the teacher guide and content of the student workbooks.
Often we hear the comment, "You only put your best projects on the downloads area. They are probably not all like this". This is not the case. However, we are happy to prove it! Simply complete the contact form and in the comments area request to see a particular guide.
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About Hardware and Software
Can I use the projects with a Mac-based system?
Our product is Windows-based. Although our curriculum can be used on a Mac-based system this is not without complications. We find that the TechnoKids Computer Curriculum does not view properly on a Macintosh as the filenames are too long. For example a folder would read as Tech~004 instead of TechnoReporter. However, once the teacher guides and student workbooks are printed the instructions for completing each assignment are similar between the Windows and Macintosh versions of Microsoft Office.
We do have schools using our materials that have Macintosh computers. However, they printed the teacher guides and student workbooks using a Windows-based PC. Moreover, their staff has needed to make some adjustments to the assignments.
If your school has Macintosh computers you need to consider the confidence level and technical knowledge of your staff. Our product is not suitable if your teachers lack confidence when using technology and possess only basic computing skills. This is because they will be unable to easily make modifications and could become frustrated or discouraged. Only a knowledgeable, confident, computer user would feel comfortable using our product on a Macintosh.
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Do I need a computer lab?
No, you do not need a computer lab. Our curriculum can be used to teach children in a computer lab setting, computer pod (2-4 computers), or on a stand alone computer. The student workbooks allow children to work independently to complete a project.
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Do I need the Internet?
No, you do not need the Internet. All of the projects that use the Internet have files web archived so that it simulates the process of using Internet Explorer without being connected to the World Wide Web. Moreover, those assignments that use the Internet to gain information or pictures can be modified to include the use of interactive encyclopedias, books, or a scanner.
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Do I need a lot of high-tech equipment?
No, you do not need high-tech hardware. All you need is a computer that has at least a 166 Mhz processor with 32 Mb of RAM.
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What software do I need?
The only software that you require is the Microsoft Office suite of applications, however several projects do use Flash and Photshop.
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What if I don't have all the software?
No problem, just teach the project guides that use the software already on your computers. Most projects use only the basic Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, and Internet Explorer.
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What version of Office do I need?
Our projects are written for Office 2000, Office XP, and Office 2003.
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About Curriculum Implementation
What knowledge do teachers require to use the curriculum?
Teachers do not need to be a computer whizzes. Each of our projects have detailed point and click instructions, pictures, and samples so that teachers can effectively integrate ICT into their lessons.
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What type of training is available?
Depending on your location, training is available for teachers. However, you need to contact TechnoKids Head Office for more information.
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How do I print the teacher guides and student workbooks?
The teacher guides and student workbooks are in PDF format. This means you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files. A version of this software is available on the CD or as a free online download. Install this software and you will be able to view the teacher guides and student workbooks.
There are several options for printing the teacher guides and student workbooks. You can print them out on your local printer. However, you can also take the files to your local copy center and have them print out the materials for you.
The project guides are created to be printed on double-sided paper.
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How do I select a project to teach?
There are several ways to select a project. TechnoKids offers a project matrix which is a document that recommends a grade level for each project. Teachers can use this document as a guide when selecting a project to teach. Another way to make a decision is to consider which projects will integrate into curriculum units you have already planned based on the project theme. Still another option is to select a project based on your students interests.
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What order do I teach the projects?
There are several ways to sequence the projects. TechnoKids offers a project matrix which is a document that recommends a sequence for teaching each project. Teachers can use this document as a guide when selecting a project to teach. Another way to make a decision is to consider which projects will integrate into curriculum units you have already planned based on the project theme. Still another option is to select a project based on your students interests.
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What do I do if I need help?
If you have any questions about our curriculum contact us. Our support staff will provide you with the assistance you need right away.
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About Ordering TechnoKids Computer Curriculum
What do I receive when I order TechnoKids Computer Curriculum?
When you order the TechnoKids Computer Curriculum Site License on a CD you receive a binder. Inside the binder is the site license agreement, product overview, and the curriculum placed on CDs. On each CD are project folders. Inside each folder are the teacher guides, student workbooks, and resource files needed to teach the project.
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How do I order a TechnoKids Computer Curriculum Site License?
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Am I charged shipping and handling?
No. Shipping and handling is free.
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How long does it take to process my order?
Expect delivery 7 business days after you order the product.
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Do you accept PO numbers?
Yes we do accept PO numbers.
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What major credit cards do you accept?
The payment methods we have availale are:
Direct Bank Deposit to: BSB: 083 135
Account No: 792764307
Account Name: TechnoKids Pty Ltd
Cheque or money order payable to: TechnoKids Pty Ltd and
mailed to: 5 Cantala Court, Endeavour Hills VIC 3802
TechnoKids Pty Ltd
ABN 94 117 544 126
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What are the prices for the curriculum site licenses?
Pricing for TechnoKids Computer Curriculum is outlined in the section ORDER NOW page.
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Is there special pricing for multiple site licenses?
Yes, there is special pricing for multiple site licenses. Send us an email to australia@technokids.com and outline the number of schools and curriculum required for each location. We will be happy to provide you with a fair price.
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