CE May Short logo v2
Today's Technology Education Trends
Issue: 15 Dec. 3, 2009
Roni Deely Cropped

Franchisee Highlight:
Roni Deely

Roni Deely began her teaching career in the pharmaceutical industry as a corporate sales manager trainer. In 1992, she moved to Delaware, purchased a COMPUTER EXPLORERS franchise and became part of the early child care and education community. Roni has received several awards with COMPUTER EXPLORERS including Franchisee of the Year in 2000, and continues to rank in the top five COMPUTER EXPLORERS territories in the country. 
 
Q: What drew you to COMPUTER EXPLORERS?
 
A: COMPUTER EXPLORERS has all the elements I love - teaching, professional development, and children. Also, I can market my program, manage my business, make my own schedule, and have an impact on the children in my community.
 
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
 
A: Simple: Watching. Being a part of families' lives for years. Parents have two and three children who participate in our programs, thus benefitting from COMPUTER EXPLORERS for generations.
 
Q: How do COMPUTER EXPLORERS classes increase student interest in technology and learning in general? (Such as programming classes like the "Can you program like a 5th grader.")
 
A: Our program is current and relevant to the children's lives and their future endeavors.  We open a young child's eyes to a world often perceived as "far away." They realize they don't have to wait until they're older, they can start right now! Our older students see a way to create the very things they enjoy interacting with now.
 
Q: What's the most popular class you offer at your franchise?
 
A: The engineering and robotics classes are the most popular, followed by Video Game Animation digital moviemaking.
 
Q: What feedback do you most frequently hear from parents and administrators about COMPUTER EXPLORERS and how does that make you feel as an educator?
 
A: We are often told how hands on our programs are for children, yet administrators don't get involved in the logistics of making it happen. When their students and parents are engaged and happy with the programs offered at their school, then life is good! I love being a viable part of so many schools. They view us as an asset and a resource.
 
Administrators: I had a principal refer me to several other principals. He simply said "Call Roni at COMPUTER EXPLORERS, you'll never be happier." That's the best personal compliment I can receive!
     
A Director: I have two directors who are constantly thinking of ways to get more parents involved with our program. When I thanked them for their trust and support, they said, "I was a supporter as a director, as a parent I am a raving fan! I am amazed at what my children learned and demonstrate at home." - That was the best.
 
A Parent: I recently had a parent tell us their child would be leaving the center where COMPUTERTOTS is offered. The mom said she will be speaking with the owners at the child's new center to tell them they have to have our program. Her other children participated in the program and her youngest is not going to be left behind." If this happens this could mean three more locations as these owners own and run three centers.


Click to Subscribe
Join Our Mailing List
 
Quick Links
Scratch: Learning artistic programming on the computer
A little yellow fish swims in the center of a young student's computer while he alters text and codes along the side of the screen. Each key stroke moves a ferocious blue shark closer and closer towards the fish. When the shark finally reaches the middle and touches the fish, he wins the game.
 
In any other circumstance, this would just sound like a boy playing a computer game - but actually he created it using computer programming software called Scratch.
 
Developed at MIT, Scratch is a collaborative - and free - program that Scratch Picallows students to create artistic movies, pictures, and videogames, while teaching them computer programming skills. Once students create their own Scratch programs, they can repost their projects back on the site for others to use and make comments.
 
"The great part about Scratch is that it's appealing to students who are interested in both art and science," says Laura Graham Leonard, COMPUTER EXPLORERS franchisee in New Jersey. "Artistic kids have an outlet to express their work through design, and science and technology kids learn video animation and programming. Scratch helps kids exercise both sides of their brain."
 
One of Graham Leonard's favorite examples of Scratch being put to the test was when one of her COMPUTER EXPLORERS classes, made up of second to eighth-graders, participated in a game called "Keep the Ball Rolling." Posted on Scratch by a student outside their classroom, Keep the Ball Rolling started with two balls rolling down a hill. When instructed to create their own ball that they could add to the mix, almost all her students used their creativity to program other fun elements into the game, from a human running in front of the balls to a bird swooping down at the balls.
 
The students' outside-the-box thinking added a completely different element to the original Keep the Ball Rolling program. After the kids reposted their new version onto the Scratch Web site, they received comments and feedback about how fun and cool their creations were.
 
"Some people say technology is isolating," says Graham Leonard. "But Scratch allows students to share their projects, write comments to each other, and offer suggestions on how to improve or change their projects with other users around the world - it's actually very social."
 
What else makes Scratch an appealing program for students, teachers, and parents? Its price. In these economic times, buying computer games for children can be costly, that's why it's nice that Scratch is free to download on any computer. Students can download and practice their programming skills at home and it doesn't cost a thing. They can feel like they're a part of their COMPUTER EXPLORERS class without even leaving their home.
Long-distance remedies: Technology brings families closer together
When it comes to dealing with technology, the generational gap often turns into a great communication divide. Some colleagues use outdated programs to complete simple tasks and many family members don't understand how to e-mail or check voicemails. Yet, as technology becomes more prevalent in every aspect of society, more adults seek technology education classes to stay knowledgeable and up to date with their younger friends and family members.

As the technology age began its big boom in the 90s, many adults hesitated to jump on the Internet-crazed bandwagon. Only after realizing the importance and permanence of growing technologies did adults increasingly reach out for computer education courses. Now, 85 percent of American adults engage and invest in at least some level of technology, according to Pew Internet surveys.

Here are some technology education solutions COMPUTER EXPLORERS provides in support for adult students, bringing families closer and closer.

  • Transferable course skills: Offering a wide range of exciting classes that integrate technology into everyday lives allows adults to learn specific programs they need to complete daily tasks and projects. By creating classes and covering material adults need to know, you ensure students achieve their goals and want to come back to learn more. Our classes, like Microsoft Office, scrapbooking software, and even basic computer knowledge, are extremely successful among our students because they connect learners of all ages to life, work, and play.

  • Accommodating various skill levels: When adults enroll in computer education courses, their skills and experience levels with computers vary greatly. A technology education partner, who values adult learners, provides opportunities for students with all levels of experience through advanced, intermediate, and beginner courses. One way our teachers provide support for adult learners with different abilities is the buddy system. We pair less advanced students with higher skill level students, which gives them the opportunity to work through difficult processes as a team.

  • Flexible lesson plans: Every student walks into a new classroom with a different set of needs and goals. Mary may sign up to advance in the work place; Joe wants to communicate with family members. Whatever the case may be, a flexible technology program adapts lesson plans to ensure each student walks away feeling accomplished and capable. When our teachers ask about individual goals at the beginning of each class, we not only learn why adults register for our courses, we also learn what skills and techniques are most important to our students ensuring our programs teach them the skills they need to know.

  • Above and beyond teachers: As you mature, learning new technologies becomes more difficult and less appealing. Well-trained, experienced teachers coach adults through technology's trickiest processes and programs. When teachers help students accomplish their goals, they ensure students enjoy learning with computers and want to return for future classes and lessons. While 71 percent of students report using the Internet as a tool to complete their schoolwork, the ability to sit in a classroom to learn from and engage with teachers helps adults retain and make use of the most information possible.
When it comes to technology and computers, many adults are just as eager to learn as children - and just as capable. Adults want to perform well at work, stay in touch with family members, and keep up with younger generations. When technology bridges young people and adults, we communicate more effectively and close the gaps that too often divide.

(Special thanks to Vicki Ziesemer for contributing on this article.)
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
 
For general inquiries about COMPUTER EXPLORERS and other technology education trends, please contact Deb Evans, president and CEO of COMPUTER EXPLORERS at 1-800-531-5053 or DEvans@ICED.net. 
 
If you are a member of the media and want more information on the people and programs profiled in this month's issue of Today's Technology Education Trends, please contact Courtney Lawrence at 312-787-7249 or CLawrence@armentdietrich.com.