Kids and computers

KIDS AND COMPUTERS: PROGRAMS FOR TWEENS

Sara M. Bryce, La Crosse Public Library

“Millennial” generation

Things LPL kids use the Internet for: Watching movies on streaming sites

(youtube.com) Role-playing games (bgames.com,

LEGO.com) Games where you make things

(Barbie.com) Facebook Chat

Surprising questions from kids 8-12

How do you make the squiggly sign in emails?

This site asked me for my username and password. What is it?

I want to go to LEGO.com but I don’t know how to spell it.

What do you mean, “Google it?”

Bottom line:

We can’t assume digital natives know everything about the Internet and technology

Conduct your own [very unscientific and possibly creepy] experiment of your own to see what YOUR kids would like!

“I Hate Mondays” Garfield partyProfessor Garfield.org

“Hiding the vegetables”

Here’s the broccoli!

Comic Book Creator

Some more veggies….

“Is this all they’ll be doing?”

“Why aren’t they DOING anything?”

“As we speak, your child is: honing problem solving skills by

navigating the games building social skills by playing with a

partner practicing a variety of subjects in a non-

classroom scenario fostering self-efficacy

You’re welcome.”

Bringing Books to Life: Book Trailers

Had kids register so I knew what I was getting into

Kids registered, I had things all set

No-school day in February; perfect for an inside activity!

A perfect, 50-degree, sunny…

OneTrueMedia

Videos 30 seconds or less are free Can tie an acct to Flickr for easy access

to photos Easy posting to Youtube or Facebook

Lots of customization

Finished products!

One we did together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx0BwEXMOtk

Emily, age 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW8HUTI5nm8

Mason, age 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWNPed0XGWk

Alex, age 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK39rr19u04

Another good bet: Xtranormal Info for library programs: Babe and Todd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYp_

wJNR-Zc Rocky and Flare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYd5q

_5YNHQ

Also easy for kids to do!

Final thought

The informal, exciting half of kids' education occurs “after school.” This is the place where 21st century students learn about their world and prepare themselves for their 21st century lives.--Marc Prensky, education and technology

innovator

We’re the “after school”! Yaaaay, us!

Thank you!

Contact info:Sara BryceLa Crosse Public Library(608)[email protected]

brycedontplay.blogspot.com