Monday, July 26, 2010

Podcast Pizzazz - Summer Place Session 2

Students, participating in the Bristol Summer Enrichment Program (Ivy Drive School), worked very hard to design, create and produce a podcast using Kid Pix Deluxe4 technology in a COMPUTER EXPLORERS class called Podcast Pizzazz!

Note: There is one podcast for each student group in the class, scroll down to find your child's podcast. Most podcasts have sound; be sure your computer speakers are on.

Here are the movies the students created:

ALEXA & LENA:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/AlexaandLena.mov

ASHLEY & EMMA:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/AshleyandEmma.mov

CECILIA & ALYSSA:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/CeciliaandAlyssa.mov

ELIZA & JULIA:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/ElizaandJulia.mov

HANNAH & SAMANTHA:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/HannahandSamantha.mov

HARRY & MICHAEL:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/HarryandMichael.mov

JESSICA & MAGGIE:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/JessicaandMaggie.mov

SAM & JACOB:
http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/SamandJacob.mov

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Friday, July 9, 2010

Summer Place - Green Screen Movies

Students, participating in the Summer Place summer camp, worked very hard to design, create and produce a movie using Green Screen technology in our class called GREEN SCREEN ADVENTURES!

Here are the movies the students created:

Big Foot - Produced by Matthew and Sam



Buggy Friends - Produced by Tori, Emma and Danielle



Ocean Danger - Produced by Grace, Monica and Virginia


Parachuting - Produced by Lauren, Tess and Victoria



Red Sox vs. Orioles Produced by Nate and Nathaniel

Sunday, June 6, 2010

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION - Corpus Christi Catholic School

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION - digital movie making course @ Corpus Christi Catholic School, Wethersfield, CT. Students attending this COMPUTER EXPLORERS after school class created, directed, produced and edited all aspects of this movie using the Digital Blue Movie Creator camera/software!!

Greek Gods:


3 Mermaids and a Dog:


Music Video:

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION - University of Hartford Magnet School

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION - digital movie making course @ University of Hartford Magnet School, West Hartford, CT. Students attending this COMPUTER EXPLORERS after school class created, directed, produced and edited all aspects of this movie using the Digital Blue Movie Creator camera/software!!

ALIEN MOVIE 1:


FUNNY MOVIE:


JUNGLE ATTACK:

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Bloomfield Early Learning Center Awarded Technology Learning Scholarship

Bloomfield, CT – On Wednesday May 10, Dawn Whalen presented the Bloomfield Early Learning Center with the COMPUTER EXPLORERS Edward Seeberg Memorial Scholarship. Surrounded by some 30+ students, a staff of dedicated teachers as well as parents and a board member, Whalen presented the certificate and check to director Deborah Lord. The students cheered as Ms. Lord explained to them the significance of this award. Whalen’s teacher, Joan Chasse, was also on hand to participate in the celebration with her students.
The Edward Seeberg Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 1994 in honor of Karen Marshall’s (COMPUTER EXPLORERS founder) father, a successful entrepreneur and early COMPUTER EXPLORERS supporter. Each year franchisees present proposals to help underwrite worthy causes that relate to providing technology education services. Bloomfield Early Learning Center (BELC) was selected for funding this year.
BELC has provided quality childcare and early childhood education programming to Bloomfield families for over 36 years. Grants from the State of Connecticut allow BELC to base fees for income eligible families on family-size and gross income making the program affordable to low and moderate income families. BELC operates year-round from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Whalen has been delivering instruction via uniquely trained technology teachers in preschools, elementary schools and community sites in Hartford County since 2005 and at BELC since 2006. “I believe that computers and technology peripherals should be used as learning tools. Technology skills are fundamental in ensuring children’s future success; the employment of active discovery learning in the COMPUTER EXPLORERS program is an exciting way to build enthusiasm for using technology in creative ways” said Whalen.
“It is important to me and the director of BELC and is in line with the continued NAYEC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation that this program is available to all children regardless of income status” concludes Whalen.
To learn more about COMPUTER EXPLORERS, contact Dawn Whalen @ 860-238-7142 or ctce200@ctce.us.
To learn more about the Bloomfield Early Learning Center, contact Deborah Lord @ 860-243-2665 or townbloomfield@sbcglobal.net.





Friday, April 23, 2010

Bloomfield Early Learning Center Awarded Technology Learning Scholarship

COMPUTER EXPLORERS Scholarship to benefit Bloomfield Connecticut community

04.21.2010 – COMPUTER EXPLORERS (CE), an international company dedicated to children’s technology education, presented Dawn Whalen with its Edward Seeberg Memorial Scholarship to benefit families of the Bloomfield Connecticut community.

Whalen will present the Scholarship Award on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 @ 10:00am at the BELC, 73 Rockwell Ave, Bloomfield, CT. Among the invitees will be the BELC Board of Directors, Bloomfield First Selectman, Bloomfield Public Schools Superintendent, Board of Education Members, as well as the teachers and students of BELC.

For full press release, copy & paste this link into your web browser:

http://pitch.pe/59285

Questions, contact Dawn Whalen @ 860-238-7142 or ctce200@ctce.us

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Great article on why teachers should use social media for their own prof. development...
http://ping.fm/Ti94x
3/4: Presentation on Content Aggregators for the Canton Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn Seminar!
http://ping.fm/grbiW

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tough Economy for School Budgets

Every year around this time, schools begin to prepare for budget meetings to discuss what the school is going to have in terms of funding to implement programs or purchase equipment if state and federal funding is available. Times are tough, school administrations are looking closely at every dollar begin spent, and certain valuable programs don’t always survive. I remain optimistic that most school districts will keep technology on the do-not-cut list, as children and schools cannot afford the consequences of falling behind in this area.

Click Here to read more

Keyboarding Skills...It's Not Just Typing Anymore

Thoughts of your high school typing class may send shivers down your spine but, in today’s texting-conscious world, honed typing skills can take you further than imaginable! Being able to get your message across in, say, 140 characters or less, means your thoughts need to be succinct and precise. Read more....

http://www.computerexplorers.com/ce200/KeyboardingSkills.pdf

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

St. Paul's Community Nursery School - New Hartford

Here is a podcast created with Kid Pix Deluxe 4. Students in the St. Paul’s Community Nursery School 4 Year Old Program created slides showing things you might see in a picture of a house. The children have very creative imaginations and you will see that in their slide show

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Employee of the Month Recognized

Employee of the Month: Michelle Ebert
Dawn Whalen, owner of CE in Hartford County, Connecticut, is enthusiastic that her COMPUTER EXPLORERS teacher, Michelle Ebert, was nominated as Employee of the Month. “She is an employee extraordinaire,” said Dawn. “Since the moment I hired her, Michelle has assumed more and more responsibility – and does it with a smile.” Michelle’s ITRP classes, explained Dawn, are always well planned and executed to perfection. As TechStars Teacher Trainer, Michelle has the daunting task of creating after school and summer camp schedules. The offerings Michelle presents are well organized, and she takes great care to be sure CE clients – the students – are offered a variety of programs to keep the interest alive.

“In the 18+ months she has worked for me, Michelle has become my right-hand gal for everything regarding our ITRP and TechStars programs,” said Dawn. “And this fall she is assuming a new role as Employee Relations Director, something I created to help keep all schedules, rosters, make-ups, cancellations, etc., up to date for all our programs, including TOTS.”

Michelle’s acute attention to detail will ensure that COMPUTER EXPLORERS in Hartford County is always on top of its game. Congratulations, Michelle!






Pictured left to right : Behzad Dayanim, Director of Solomon Schechter Day School, West Hartford, Michelle Ebert, CE Teacher, Dawn Whalen, CE Owner Hartford County.





Friday, September 18, 2009

Learn All You Can About The COMPUTERTOTS Preschool Technology Program

COMPUTER EXPLORERS wants our parents, and students, to be educated about our preschool technology program called, COMPUTERTOTS. We know your lives are busy so, we have recorded this conference call so that you may listen and learn all there is to know about our program designed for children ages 3 -5. On the call you will hear from me, Dawn Whalen the director of COMPUTER EXPLORERS in Hartford county providing our philosophy on teaching preschool age children technology, as well as from one of my teachers, and a raving fan..one of our former parents giving you their thoughts and comments on their experiences with COMPUTER EXPLORERS. If you are interested in hearing the recorded audio of this 23 minute conference call, click on this link below:



https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=au61x6



Any questions, please contact me @ 860-238-7142 or email @ ctce200@ctce.us



Thanks and enjoy!!

Dawn Whalen

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Camp Brodie: Clay Animation

Students attending Camp Brodie participated in COMPUTER EXPLORERS Clay Animation Class. Students created, directed, produced and edited all aspects of this stop-motion animation movie using clay characters. Enjoy!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Promoting Global Education Through Innovation Starts Locally

As a resident and local business owner, Dawn Whalen of COMPUTER EXPLORERS, was the featured business at the New Hartford Business Council booth at the New Hartford Farmer's Market. As a way to show off what her business has to offer to the dozens of New Hartford residents and visitors from neighboring towns who come to the market to buy, COMPUTER EXPLORERS had a unique opportunity to show what our programs are all about. By promoting our technology education programs for children and adults locally, Dawn hopes to offer an opportunity to give a more global recognition to her COMPUTER EXPLORERS franchise.

Dawn doesn't underestimate the power of a child's smile when giving her own children the task of promoting her business

...a little candy doesn't hurt either!!

Go to http://www.computerexplorers.com/ for further information.
To learn more about COMPUTER EXPLORERS in the greater Hartford area, contact:
Dawn Whalen, Owner and Technology/Education Director COMPUTER EXPLORERS
Office: 860-238-7142
Fax: 860-238-7143
Email: ctce200@ctce.us
Web Site: www.computerexplorers.com/hartford
Blog: http://computerexplorershartfordct.blogspot.com/
More About COMPUTER EXPLORERS: http://www.youtube.com/computerexplorers

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Technology Education Franchise is Featured on National Webcast

http://www.computerexplorers.com/


FOR RELEASE AT WILL

July, 2009
Contact: Deb Evans
Phone: 800-531-5053
Email: devans@iced.net

Technology Education Franchise is Featured on National Webcast

Houston, Texas -- http://www.computerexplorers.com/ (CE), an international company dedicated to children’s technology education, recently appeared as guests on The Franchise Show. Host Jeff D’Arcy interviewed Deb Evans, President and CEO live at the International Franchise Association’s annual convention and said “there is no better way to perceive an organization’s vision and culture than to hear it from the top-and that’s what Deb provides in one of our most informative and entertaining interviews at IFA”.

D’Arcy introduced COMPUTER EXPLORERS on the AllBusiness.com blog (AB blog) and invited three award winning franchisees to appear with Evans on weekly The Franchise Show. Franchisee Joan Kusnierz, winner of Rookie of the Year, David Rhodes, Mentor of the Year winner and Robin Scott COMPUTER EXPLORERS Franchisee of the Year easily engaged the audience turning The Franchise Show into the COMPUTER EXPLORERS Hour.

“Joan, David and Robin openly and honestly talked with Jeff about how the focus of business has changed over the years, the competitive industry and the level of support they receive. Jeff mentions the excitement, passion and enthusiasm that I have for COMPUTER EXPLORERS. That passion lives within the entire corporate team and each individual franchisee” says Deb.
COMPUTER EXPLORERS has been delivering instruction via uniquely trained technology teachers in preschools, elementary schools and community locations for 25+ years. “Technology skills are fundamental in ensuring children’s future success; the employment of active discovery learning in the COMPUTER EXPLORERS program is an exciting way to build enthusiasm for using technology in creative ways” said Evans. Social media allows us the opportunity to expand that creativity and enthusiasm in our communication with the parents through our YouTube channel and Facebook pages.

About COMPUTER EXPLORERS:
COMPUTER EXPLORERS provides educational technology classes to benefit children and staff at childcare centers, preschools, private and public elementary schools and community sites worldwide. Founded and managed by educators, the company has created hundreds of technology lesson plans and instructional tools since 1983. The company is an active member of the ISTE 100, the International Society of Technology in Education http://www.iste.org/., and sponsor of Little Clickers, a publication of Children’s Technology Review http://www.childrenssoftware.com/.

The COMPUTER EXPLORERS early childhood program provides computer classes for children ages 3-5, foreign language and cultural exploration, and reinforcement of reading, math, science and social studies beginning skills.

The COMPUTER EXPLORERS schoolage program offers a turn-key technology program for public and private schools, as well as after school and summer camp programs teaching robotics, engineering, digital movie-making and video game design.

In addition to domestic classes, the company offers courses through its business owners in the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Australia.

Go to http://www.computerexplorers.com/ for further information.

To learn more about COMPUTER EXPLORERS in the greater Hartford area, contact:

Dawn Whalen, Owner and Technology/Education Director COMPUTER EXPLORERS
Office: 860-238-7142
Fax: 860-238-7143
Email: ctce200@ctce.us
Web Site: www.computerexplorers.com/hartford
Blog: http://computerexplorershartfordct.blogspot.com/
More About COMPUTER EXPLORERS: http://www.youtube.com/computerexplorers
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Session II: Dinosaur Discoveries Field Trip

To add just a bit more enjoyment to their class, COMPUTER EXPLORERS teacher Gail Griffin took her Session II Dino Discoveries students on an on-site "field trip" to find real dinosaur footprints on the University of Hartford campus. Enjoy the video!!

Session II: Dinosaur Discoveries @ Summer Place/West Hartford, CT

Dinosaur Discoveries...digital movie making course @ Summer Place (Session II), West Hartford, CT. Students attending this COMPUTER EXPLORERS class created, directed, produced and edited all aspects of this documentary about the prehistoric dinosaur HYPSILLOPHODON!!!!