Assignment Two: Kids Learning About Computers

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Assignment TwoKids Learning About Computers
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In the beginning...
It began during a Morning Edition report on NPR,
or more accurately, during the sponsorship
announcements.
The speaker ran through the list of sponsors,
ADM Super Market to the World, on the web at
admworld.com.
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Little Master DotCom

• Little Master DotCom (18 months old) was
  listening to the radio and began adding
  dot-com to his nouns, coming up with
  combinations such as mama-dot-com and
  kitty-dot-com.

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So, How Do Children Learn About Computers?

• They may have no idea what the words mean.
• For them, computers are simply intriguing toys
  ? if we let them get close enough to the keyboard.

But the way that these children interact with
computers will ultimately shape their future.
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How Do Children Learn About Computers?

• For your writing assignment, choose two computer
  toys among the samples available, or choose your
  own toys.
• If you choose your own toys, find as much basic
  information about the toys as possible ? a
  picture of the toy, catalog description, details
  about the toy, and so forth.
• Your paper will compare the two toys and talk
  about what they tell you about the ways children
  learn about computers.

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Brainstorming Questions

• Close Examination of the Toy
• What are the features of the toy? What does it
  do?
• How does the toy compare to the real
  equivalent?
• Who would play with the toy? What assumptions are
  made about the children who would be interested
  in it?
• How are the toys that you explored preparing
  children for their future? Or are they?

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Brainstorming Questions

• Considering How the Toy is Discussed
• What words stand out in the description of the
  toy? Why do they seem significant?
• How is the toy pictured? What is shown? Are there
  people shown in the picture? If so, what are they
  doing?
• What is the name of the toy? What does the name
  highlight? Why was it chosen?
• What audience is the description aimed at? How
  can you tell?

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Brainstorming Questions

• The Future
• What do you think children need to know to be
  literate citizens in the 21st century?
• How will they read? Write?
• How will they understand information they
  encounter?
• How are the toys that you explored preparing
  children for their future? Or are they?

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Helping Your Students Succeed

• Go through examples to help students focus on the
  issues for specific toys
• Pay attention to key questions students should
  ask ? race, gender, so forth
• Draw attention to not only the look of the
  product but also to what it does

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Barbie PC
The Barbie PC is a powerful computer designed
just for kids with a unique pink and silver
Barbie look that sets it apart from other plain
computers. 
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Why the Barbie PC?
Surf the Web, play games and CD-ROMs, do homework
and have fun learning new things with all the
great software that comes with the Barbie PC!   
It even comes with the Barbie Digital
Camera!   The Barbie PC also includes 20
exciting and educational software titles! ... All
pre-installed on the computer.   Getting on the
Internet is easy too! ... We include 250 free
hours from AOL! We have compiled a selection of
software titles to give your kids the competitive
advantage they need to excel at learning while
still having fun and adventure! ... 
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Barbie PC Software
http//www.barbiepc.com/
Barbie Software for GirlsBarbie Cool Looks
Fashion Designer Detective Barbie Magic Fairy
Tales Barbie as RapunzelBarbie Ocean
Discovery Barbie Party Print n PlayBarbie
Print n PlayBarbie Riding Club Barbie Screen
Styler Barbie Sticker Designer Barbie
Storymaker Barbie Super Sports Barbie
Totally Tattoos Barbie Photo Designer (with
digital camera)
EducationComptons Encyclopedia 2000
StandardCompton's 3D World Atlas DeluxeMath
WorkshopMavis Beacon Teaches Typing 10
StandardNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC The '90sUltimate
Writing Creativity CenterInternetCyber
Patrol GamesMyst
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The Hot Wheels PC
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Hot Wheels PC Software
http//www.hotwheelspc.com/
Education BodyWorks 6.0  Comptons
Encyclopedia 2000 StandardThe ClueFinders Math
9-12 Compton's 3D World Atlas Deluxe
Compton's The Complete Reference CollectionKid
Pix StudioLogical Journey of the
ZoombinisMath Workshop Mavis Beacon Teaches
Typing 10 StandardNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC The
'90sUltimate Writing Creativity Center
Hot WheelsHot Wheels Custom Car Designer  Hot
Wheels Collector's Guide  Hot Wheels Stunt
Track Driver  Hot Wheels Tattoo Designer
InternetCyber Patrol Games  Oregon Trail
Fourth EditionMystAl Unser, Jr. Arcade
RacingRally Challenge
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Barbie B-Book Learning Laptop Computer By Oregon
Scientific
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Junior Computer Gold By Team Concepts
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Language Laptop Fundamentals of Reading By V-Tech
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Computer Pal Electronic Learning Aid By V-Tech
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Secret Message Barbie Computer Center By Mattel
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Barbie Tote n Teach By Oregon Scientific
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B-Brilliant Pocket PC Barbie Digital Personal
Learning By Oregon Scientific