Students will learn the proper way to handle computers and associated devices such as mice and keyboards. We will cover such “rules” as having clean hands, not having food or drinks around computers, how to handle CD’s, how to use a keyboard and mouse, how to click, double-click, “drag”, “select”, cut-and-paste, etc. We will also cover icons, shortcuts, “how to get around” in Windows, how to turn on and correctly power off a computer, how to insert a CD and “get it to come up” and how to know when to ask for help. We will use educational software as the means to these ends, to the greatest possible extent. We feel this is a very valuable course because this material is either glossed over or never formally addressed.

We will show students a wide variety of educational software in areas such as Math, Reading, Writing, Spelling, and more! We feel that educational software is an exciting way to supplement students’ learning, especially because it’s so much fun, and because students pick up so many skills by using the large variety of software that’s available. For example, all software of this kind “exercises” small motor skills so students become adept at more advanced computer skills such as mouse dragging and cursor movement. This software also hones skills such as hand-eye coordination, concentration, patience, and creative expression. Parents will be given a list of our recommended software as part of this class.

First, students will be shown proper hand placement and posture for typing. Then, students will be introduced to word processing using Microsoft® Word. They will learn how to set up a document, set margins, choose fonts, center and justify text, spell-check, indent, and more! More advanced students will be introduced to using Styles to create well-structured consistent, easy-to-change documents, as well as tables, headers and footers, special characters (such as ¶ and ©), subscripts and superscripts, and more advanced topics.

Students will explore creativity software including the award-winning KidPix. We will cover the following: painting, drawing, creating simple movies & slideshows, digital rubber stamps, and more! Students will also learn how to print their creations. The aim of this course is for students to begin to understand how the computer can be used as a creative tool.

Students will have fun learning how computers can be used to make craft items such as stickers, frames, hats, cards, invitations, mobiles, bookmarks, gift bags, and more. Students will develop an appreciation for computers as creative tools, extending their use well beyond playing games and typing. This class also expands on skills developed in Computer/Technology 101, such as using a mouse, using a keyboard, printing, navigating on the screen, etc.

Students will learn techniques to author and illustrate books, using a computer as an assistive tool. Students will be introduced to different types of software that help to both encourage creative design as well as assist with the writing process. Each student will produce an entire book by themselves by the end of the session, and will pick up valuable writing and artistic skills in the process.

This is the recommended starting course, even for students who feel they “know a lot” about computers. This course covers how computers are used in the real-world, close examination of the keyboard, the concept of input and output devices (mice, printers, scanners, etc.), “bits” and “bytes”, storage capacities of diskettes, how data is stored on a computer (ASCII), number systems, character sets, and units of measurement (prefixes such as “mega-”, “giga-”, etc.). Course will be a combination of hands-on, demonstration/lecture, and video segments.

This course reviews ASCII character representation, then presents a more thorough treatment of math as applied to computers, including expanded notation, exponentiation, and the binary (base 2), octal (base 8), decimal (base 10) and hexadecimal (base 16) number systems. Special attention is given to show how these concepts relate directly to computers, with an emphasis on binary representation and its correspondence with underlying hardware (transistors). Course will be a combination of hands-on, demonstration/lecture, and video segments.

This course relates number systems to the underlying digital electronic components (esp. transistors) that are the basis for computers and other digital devices. The concepts of binary, On/Off and transistors operating as a “switch” will be unified. Special attention will be given to the story behind the invention of the transistor through an excellent video that shows its significance and its foundation for much of what goes on in Silicon Valley. Students will be given an opportunity to handle transistors, and a basic introduction to digital circuits will be given. We will show how transistors can be used as a switch to illuminate an LED in a simple circuit. We will present a brief introduction to microprocessors (Pentium® CPU’s) so that the student understands how a computer computes. Finally, we will introduce truth tables (AND, OR, and NOT), and show how transistors are used as building blocks to construct more complicated integrated circuits that form the basis of microprocessors, memory, and storage devices (it all comes back to the transistor!). The class will culminate in a field trip to the Intel Museum in Santa Clara. Course will be a combination of hands-on, demonstration/lecture, video segments, and computer-aided instruction through CD software.

For those who wish to continue their exploration of digital electronics, this course will present an introduction to digital circuits. Components such as transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, DC power supplies, LED’s, and the like will be introduced and demonstrated. Basic breadboarding techniques will be demonstrated and students will be given an opportunity to develop their own simple circuits. We will show how circuits are constructed that add two two-digit binary numbers together (half-adders and full-adders). Course will be a combination of hands-on, demonstration/lecture, video segments, and computer-aided instruction through CD software.

This is one of our most popular classes, as it gives students a chance to see what’s going on “under the hood”. We will begin by explaining and demonstrating the safety precautions that must be taken when working with computers. We will then look at the major components of a computer, how they relate to each other, and what they do; we do this from a critical perspective so that students begin to develop an understanding for what makes some computers better than others. We will show, in particular, how motherboards have evolved since their introduction over 20 years ago. We will explain the difference between memory and disk, and students will be given a chance to install and remove memory. After the hands-on portion, we will present a video which demonstrates how one can build one’s own computer. Finally, we will present a checklist for building a computer, along with useful websites, stores, and other resources. Whether or not the student ever builds their own computer, this course is really fun and educational, because it gives students an appreciation for what’s in that “beige box”. It also demonstrates how the previously-learned fundamentals (such as those learned in Computer/Technology 201, 202, and even 203 and 204) come into play.

This is a very popular class, because we all have glitches, gotchas, gaffes and goof-ups with our computers. Wouldn’t it be great if computers always ran without a hitch? Well, they don’t. But, how do we go about fixing them? This class presents troubleshooting methodologies and techniques that can help us refine the art of helping ourselves. Bring your questions, problems, even your computers (!!) to this class, and we’ll help you make sense of them. Then, the next time your computer has a problem, you’ll have a much better understanding of how to tackle it! We’ll look at software installation, operating system re-installs, hardware troubleshooting, device drivers, and more. We’ll also look at activities you should be performing on a regular basis to keep your computer running at its peak, such as scandisk, antivirus protection, Microsoft® Windows Update, power conditioning, etc. Don’t let your computer get the best of you; begin mastering it today!

This course is designed for those who wish to create their own customized course that includes material from one or more of the above courses, either as a review or as newly-introduced material.

This course is also a “catch-all” for those who want more advanced study (beyond Computer/Technology 204) where students can continue to explore more advanced and challenging topics. We will work with parents and students to identify areas of study that are of particular interest. Because of the custom nature of this class, it is likely that the student may be the only one in the “class”, and will receive individualized instruction & guidance.

Students will be given a gentle introduction to the basic tools and techniques for using the Internet. We will approach “Safe Computing” from a pragmatic perspective by introducing “kid-friendly” sites and search engines. Students will learn how to “get on” the Internet by using a browser (Internet Explorer and Opera), navigate via links, and control various aspects of the browsing experience by changing some simple browser settings. Students will also learn how to save favorite sites, organize them, and access these “bookmarks” at a later time. Students will also be introduced to doing research on the Internet, and will learn how to identify “credible” sources of information.

We start the course by explaining that, while “standalone” computers are useful, they can be “hooked together” in a network to harness even more power and flexibility. This leads to a discussion of the natural extension of networks from “LAN’s” to “WAN’s”. We then draw a distinction between the Internet and the World Wide Web (“Web”), and show how the two are related, but very different technologies. We learn how and why the Internet was created, and learn about its place in history. We continue with the history and creation of the Web, looking at its early days and its evolution. We conclude this class by learning about the organizations that set standards and maintain cohesiveness of the Internet and the Web.

This course begins with a comprehensive look at the various technologies used to connect computers to the Internet, such as analog modems, ISDN, and DSL. We then examine the infrastructure of Internet providers so that students can understand how it all “hangs together”. We look at the costs, speeds and bandwidths of the various access methods. We look at the difference between analog and digital communication, and learn how modems work. We discuss how high-speed transmission is accomplished using fiber-optic cable. The course culminates in a visit to a local Internet provider to see the Internet from their perspective.

This course is the first in a series that teaches students how (and why) to write web pages. We begin with an introduction to HTML, the language used to author web pages. We then go through a series of exercises of increasing difficulty that lead students through the construction of their own web pages. After some practice, the students will be introduced to some software tools that help them to create web pages more efficiently. Finally, the students will learn how web pages are uploaded to web servers via programs that implement the FTP protocol.

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 320, and will survey a variety of subjects related to web design, including image capture and preparation (using Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks), page layout and design principles, automated webpage development (using Macromedia Dreamweaver), audio and video, scripting (using JavaScript), and client/server technologies such as ASP and server-side includes. The course will be tailored to the participants and can draw on several of the above topics, as well as additional topics not mentioned.

After a brief review of the topics covered in Computer/Technology 301 & 320, we look more closely at the browser as a piece of application software. We examine its inputs (HTML “source code”, etc.) and outputs (a displayed web page, etc.), and learn how the browser communicates with an external website through the HTTP protocol. We examine Internet traffic, and learn how routers are used to direct packets of information in the most efficient manner. We use a tool to “watch” traffic going between the browser and the remote website. Finally, we study Internet connectivity in detail.

This introductory class will familiarize students with the components of the LEGO® Mindstorms Robotics Discovery Set. We will build simple models, then automate and control them with the computer that comes with the set. Students will experiment with design principles, aesthetics, organizational skills, team-playing, programming, and gain an appreciation for the role of robots in society. We anticipate a guest speaker for one of these class sessions who has worked with robots at IBM Almaden Research Center for over 20 years.

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 401. Students will learn to build more advanced LEGO® robots that perform more complex behaviors. We introduce flowcharts and planning in the robot building process. We also formalize the concept of programming languages, and demonstrate how software relates to the control of devices, such as robots, cars, television set-top boxes (such as TiVo®), and similar devices.

When we ask kids what kind of programs they want to learn how to write, they almost always say “Games!”. Unfortunately, writing games is one of the most complex programming activities, because you are required to understand many details of drawing shapes, 3-D principles, data structures, etc. That is, until now! We have found an outstanding programming language, DarkBASIC, that has been specifically designed to get games up-and-running quickly because of the advanced language statements. But, the other main advantage of learning this language is that it is based on the original BASIC programming language, an excellent “first” language, as it is very easy to learn and “read” (unlike C++, for example). Once the BASIC language is mastered, we can go on into 2-D and 3-D programming. This course is the first in a series that introduces the simpler elements of the DarkBASIC language, and is the stepping-stone to more advanced programming. We will only touch on 2-D and 3-D in this class, and will learn many of the principles required to write more complex programs in more advanced classes.

This class is a continuation of Computer/Technology 505. We write more advanced programs with DarkBASIC, explore simple data structures (arrays, stacks, and queues), and learn about algorithms via sorting numbers, all important groundwork for more advanced work. We also learn the 2-D language statements that enable us to draw and manipulate simple shapes. We will begin to see how what we’ve learned can be used to create games.

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 506. We do more advanced work with 2-D, exploring the power of the DarkBASIC language. Students then have an option to create a full-blown application using what’s been learned so far, or choosing to learn principles of 3-D and its associated language statements. After a good bit of exploring the 3-D power of the language, we will help students develop a program which “puts it all together”.

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 507, and will be tailored to the course attendees. There is a wealth of additional material to explore, such as advanced data structures, algorithms, and more advanced features of DarkBASIC. Students who wish to learn another programming language, once they’ve learned Dark BASIC, should enroll in this course.

This course presents a survey of the field of animation, including software and technologies used to produce movies such as Shrek and Monsters, Inc. We will discuss how animation has evolved over the past 50 years, and explain the roles of computers and animators in this process. Students will have hands-on instruction using various professional software programs, including Macromedia Flash and Alias|Wavefront Maya (the latter is the primary program used by professional animators today).

This course is available for students who wish to explore more advanced multimedia topics for which we do not have individual courses yet, such as: Advanced Flash, Maya, Audio (including music production, MIDI, audio formats including MP3 and WAV), Video (including video production, digital cameras, titling, storyboarding, etc.), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Aobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign, Macromedia Fireworks, etc.

We’ll cover many topics in this comprehensive, practical course on how to get the most out of Windows: what files are & how they’re organized and stored, file suffixes, folders, the Desktop, shortcuts, “saving” files, “Find”, the Start menu & how to organize it, the System Tray, the Taskbar, minimizing and maximizing windows, “right-clicking” to access context menus, customization of your workspace, how to properly shutdown your computer, scrolling, the Task Manager, the Control Panel, the Recycle Bin, and more!

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 710A, which we briefly review, then introduce the following additional topics: Hidden files, power-saving configuration, adjusting the settings of your mouse and keyboard, inventorying your system, adding and removing software nd hardware components, configuring sound, Windows Update, antivirus protection, and more! Those who desire advanced instruction should also sign up for this course.

This course is a systematic presentation of the world’s most popular word processor, and covers the following topics: how to set up a document (margins, page orientation, etc.), character and paragraph formatting (fonts, line spacing, etc.), page headers and footers, page and column breaks, bulleted and numbered lists, copy/paste/delete, spelling and grammar checking, image handling, saving, and printing.

This course is a continuation of Computer/Technology 720A, and is highly recommended for those that really want to “master” Word. We cover the following topics in detail: fonts (True Type, Adobe, etc.), how to design a document so it looks “professional”, configuring Word (Options), styles (very important!!), tables, pagination, macros, tools, borders and shading, using Help, and more! Those who desire advanced instruction should also sign up for this course.

Microsoft Excel is perhaps one of the most-underappreciated programs available. We dispel that notion by showing just how powerful Excel is. We cover the following topics: setting up a spreadsheet, entering and editing data, formatting (cell formatting, alignment, resizing columns and rows, character formatting, borders and shading), setting up formulas, creating charts and graphs, and more!

In this course, a continuation of Computer/Technology 730A, we develop a budget for a fictitious company, and learn the importance of: planning, the visual presentation of data through graphs and pictures, “what-if’s”, scenarios, field validation, tools, add-in’s, and more! This course will be tailored for the age groups taking the class. Those who desire advanced instruction should also sign up for this course. More advanced students will explore some of the statistical and business analysis tools on a level suitable and meaningful for them. This course is a “must” for those who wish to “master” Excel.

PowerPoint is used to create presentations (face-to-face, or “canned” for later consumption). We introduce the following concepts: creating a presentation, slides, formatting techniques, views, transitions, animation, sound, Speaker Notes, and techniques for designing effective presentations. Instruction will be tailored to the ages of the students taking the course.

This course introduces the concept of a database from a practical point-of-view, using the world’s most popular desktop database management system. We cover the following topics: what is a database?, why do I need one?, design techniques, normalization, user-interfaces, querying techniques, importing and exporting data, field validation, and more. We also gently introduce the concept of customization using VBA (Visual Basic), and will happily go into depth for more advanced students.