CYFAR 2007 Pre-conference May 1, 2007

 

Developing and Managing a Youth-Centered,

Non-Formal Computer Lab Program

 

Presenters/Facilitators

Bill Pabst, 4-H Youth Specialist

4-H Center for Youth Development

University of Missouri Extension

826 Clark Hall, University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

V 573-884-7590; F 573-884-4225

pabsta@missouri.edu

 

Vishal Singh, Multimedia Designer

University of Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

Jeanne Gleason Department Head, Media Productions

College of Agriculture and Home Economics

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces , New Mexico

 

Overview

The pre-conference addresses two issues that are critical to many CYFAR programs: after-school programs and teaching technology to underserved audiences.  Many upper elementary and middle school youth have considerable discretionary time. This discretionary time represents an enormous potential to engage in either positive or negative activities. The availability of positive activities that meet the needs and interests of youth are extremely important.  Playing computer games and using computer tools is rapidly becoming a favorite activity for many youth. 

            This interest offers tremendous teaching opportunities in out-of-school settings.  The cognitive play of many computer games includes significant practice with math, art, spelling, communication, science, geography, social studies and other academic topics.   The youth can also become proficient with general computer use, software navigation, computer-based devices, and technology concepts.  By learning many software titles, even games, learners are better prepared for the next computer learning challenge

 

The pre-conference draws upon three separate but intertwined research threads- a) teaching with computers, b) learning with games, and c) organizing out-of-school computer learning environments.

            The session builds on research and evaluations from three large-scale, non-formal computer lab projects.

 

            COMPUTER GAMES AND LEARNING: Why do we think it's worth talking about computer games and learning in the same breath?” by Keri Facer, provides an overview of computer games and learning http://www.futurelab.org.uk/download/pdfs/research/disc_papers/Computer_Games_and_Learning_discpaper.pdf  Mitchell and Savill-Smith’s “The use of computer and video games for learning – a review of the literature”.  ISBN 1-85338-904-8  http://www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/1529.pdf  provides an in-depth review.

 

 

Powerpoint Presentation-

http://4h.missouri.edu/go/bill/cyfar2007/afterschoollabs.mht

 

Links and Resources by Agenda Section

Conceptual and practical framework

1. http://4h.missouri.edu/go/projects/computer/labs/

2. http://4h.missouri.edu/go/projects/computer/labs/models.htm

 

Computer content for youth

CDs

  • StoryBook Weaver
  • SimSafari
  • SimTown
  • Crazy About Corn

 

Websites

 

 

Learning and teaching with computers

CDs

  • SimCity
  • FlightSim

 

Websites

 

It is not about computers - Youth Development –

 

Finding content

 

Managing a non-formal computer lab

 

Adding educational value

 

Managing the program

 

 

Academic-based game websites

http://www.free.ed.gov/

 

Math games

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

http://illuminations.nctm.org/

http://www.scienceu.com/geometry/

http://www.themint.org/index.html

 

 

Creativity and Exploration Downloads

Google earth - http://earth.google.com/

 

Google Mars - http://www.google.com/mars/

 

Picaso - http://picasa.google.com/#utm_source=en-us-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et

 

Sketchup http://sketchup.google.com/

 

Scratch - http://scratch.mit.edu/

 

Audacity http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/

 

Windows Movie Maker -  Should already be on, but if not; http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx

 

Partial List of Software Used for the Session

1

Storybook Weaver Deluxe

 

 

2

Sim Safari

 

 

 

3

Kidpix Studio

 

 

4

Disney's Magic Artist Deluxe

 

 

5

Thinkin Things Collection 3

 

 

6

Crazy About Corn

 

 

 

7

Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo

 

 

8

Ruff's Bone

 

 

 

9

Sim Town

 

 

 

 

10

Sim City 2000 Special Edition

 

 

11

Flight Simulator 98

 

 

 

 

Roller Coaster Tycoon

 

 

 

Scrabble

 

 

 

 

 

Way Things Work 2.0

 

 

 

MultiMedia Musical Instruments

 

 

 

I Can Be an Animal Doctor

 

 

 

Reader Rabbit Personalized 2nd Grade

 

 

Nancy Drew The Final Scene

 

 

 

More Bugs in Boxes

 

 

 

 

SeaWorld Adventure Parks Tycoon

 

 

Dogz 4 Deluxe