A: I was looking for an opportunity to become more connected with my community and work in an area that I would enjoy. I worked with a broker to find possible franchises that would match my goals, and COMPUTER EXPLORERS was a great fit.

 

A: Each of our students brings their own unique personality to our program, so it is hard to pick out just one. I love watching the first time a three year old maneuvers the mouse correctly and squeals in delight, or when the fifth grader who thought he already knows something learns something new.

 

A: The most rewarding part is knowing that the children in our programs are going to take the skills they learn with us and use them to be successful in other areas. The most challenging is balancing marketing versus administrative tasks.

 

Q: What's the most popular class you offer at your franchise?

 

A: Currently, the most popular classes are Jr. Engineering and Crime Scene Investigation. 

 
A: My favorite part is feeling connected to my community and working with others to provide great technology curriculum to students.

 

Q: Are there current or past experiences influence the way you run your business?

 

A: Yes. I utilize my marketing skills developed by years in corporate and nonprofit organizations. I try to make connections that can benefit all parties - always with what's best for the student in mind. I believe that if it benefits our students, then it will benefit us.

Time flies when you're having fun - it can even fly by when you're in school. Children who love playing games don't always realize they can continue their playful activities inside the classroom, too. In fact, as students engage in interactive activities and use technology, they don't realize they're learning important curriculum concepts at the same time.
 
"When students are having fun, they want more," says Vicki Ziesemer, COMPUTER EXPLORERS franchisee. "Children today have grown up with technology at home, are comfortable with it and love it. So it's an exciting change when they can use it in their classrooms, too."
 
COMPUTER EXPLORERS classes use entertaining and engaging technology to help students accomplish meaningful projects, like solve a puzzle or create video games to encourage learning. In a video game programming course, sixth grade students learn how to create educational video games to help younger students practice math equations in an enjoyable way. Once uploaded to the school Web site, younger students can access the games to study and learn. The older children are excited to program games, and the younger students benefit from learning important concepts while playing video games.
 
But fun and games aren't the only benefits to integrating technology into the classroom - class enrollment and participation increases, too. When children are excited about something, they talk about it with their friends and their parents. By sharing what they've learned and telling peers how cool classes are, the students encourage others to sign up and learn.
 
 "Our students don't even realize they're in class; they think they're at a fun camp," says Ziesemer. "But the parents know they're learning and understand the value in what we teach. They're always impressed with the skills their children learn and how engaged they become at school."
 
Greater motivation and higher levels of confidence also result when students are having fun with technology in the classroom. "Using technology to complete a project is a confidence-builder," says Ziesemer. "Their work is impressive - not only to their parents, but to themselves as well."
 
By incorporating technology and games into educational curriculums, you ensure students have fun learning. Allowing children to mix school and play is a great way to keep students active and engaged.