Computer Learning Month(R)
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Computer Learning Month is celebrated each October and is a time for focusing attention on the important role computers, software and other technologies play in our lives, particularly in our children's learning and their future. Computer Learning Month is a time to try new ways of using technology, to learn new technology products, and to share knowledge with others in your local community about how to use technology.
Computer Learning Month is a grass roots project. While the Computer Learning Foundation offers numerous activities and suggestions for celebrating Computer Learning Month, it is parents, educators, schools, community groups and local businesses who determine what their community needs and organize their local celebration.
Most people think of learning during the school year, so Computer Learning Foundation programs and projects parallel the school year. New materials and projects are announced during Computer Learning Month each October, early in the school year, but after the back-to-school rush.
Computer Learning Month is a launch activity, designed to motivate people to focus on learning more about technology early in the year. By hosting Computer Learning Month in October, the Foundation hopes that people will continue to benefit from, and expand upon, what they learn during Computer Learning Month throughout the year.
During each Computer Learning Month, the Computer Learning Foundation provides activities, generally in the form of merit competitions and sweepstakes, to encourage people to explore new ways of using technology and to share their knowledge with others in their community. Everyone wins with the new learning they experience. In addition, thousands of dollars worth of technology products are generally awarded as prizes each spring to the winners.
This year is a special year and as such, the Foundation has suspended most of its contests during Computer Learning Month. In their place are dozens of activities for across the 2001-2002 school year to help children and others in your community to make sense out of current events and tragedies and to help build a brighter tomorrow. These activities can easily be integrated into regular classroom teaching and provide teachers and parents with suggestions on how technology can play a powerful and important role in helping students develop a better understanding of their feelings, the world events surrounding them, freedom and patriotism, and how to create a better world. The Foundation encourages people to host their own local competitions surrounding the important activities the Foundation is providing, gathering support from local businesses. The Foundation's only contest this year is a sweepstakes involving the Our Town Initiative as it remains an important activity during these difficult times.
Technology is impacting all of our lives, and keeping up with all of the new technologies and how to effectively use them challenges us all. Computers are an important tool of our children's day, and nowhere is the challenge of keeping up with new technologies and how to use them effectively greater than in our classrooms. Computer Learning Month provides you with the opportunity to focus people's attention in your community on the importance of technology to our children's learning. Computer Learning Month also provides activities to encourage your educators to stretch their knowledge, try new methods, share their ideas with others, and showcase their efforts.
Most adults today did not learn how to use computers in school, and most adults are still learning how to use these powerful new tools. While most people recognize the importance of computers in the workplace, many do not fully comprehend the value to children's learning in school, and many parents need help in using computers with their children at home. More significant, many people do not realize the difficulties schools and community organizations face in trying to make current technologies available to all children.
By hosting a Computer Learning Month event in your community, you provide a valuable community service, as you are helping others to learn more about how to use computers themselves. With the current tragedies in the world, you can also showcase student projects and activities that use technology and can help others develop a better understanding of the world, help others heal and create a better future world. By giving to your community and sharing your knowledge and understanding, you also help garner better community support for your efforts.
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