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Technology
Sometimes
motivating the gifted can be a challenge, especially
during the summer months. To help you over this hurdle, I
suggest introducing the use of technology. Technology can
be used in your center for review or for the introduction
of new material. Why not give the children a head start
for the next school year?
One of the
easiest ways to introduce technology into your center
would be to set up a computer station where the children
could rotate through. The use of the computer will allow
the children to use their skills in a brand new way. For
example, perhaps the children could practice their writing
and spelling skills. Or, the children could learn how to
draw using the computer. You could even create a
presentation of the children's work to share on a weekly
basis with both the children and their parents.
 Secondly,
the use of the Internet can also be a valuable education
tool. You should not allow the cost of an Internet
service to deter you from using technology. There are
several sites that will allow you to download a free
Internet dial up. The Internet can be used for research
and fact-finding. You may wish to assign a particular
topic or allow the children to research a topic of
interest. By looking at you state education agency's
website, you will be able to educate yourself with the
upcoming school year's curriculum for school-aged
children. You may wish to have the children research
topics that they will be learning about during the
upcoming months.
Software can
also be an intricate part of your technology. Software
can be bought relatively cheap depending on what you are
looking for. However, most of the children will have
computers at home and I would ask the children to bring
some of their favorite software to share at the center.
This way it will be free for you and the children will be
able to experience many different programs. The more
diverse your selection, the more interested the children
will be in spending time on the computer.
You can
incorporate the use of technology as little or as much as
you wish into your summer program. With families updating
their computer systems on an average of every five years
you can also solicit donations to your center. People are
usually willing to give their old equipment away,
especially for the benefit of their own children.
 Technology
in your center can help to open a brand new world to your
children. Giving it a try may just make your summer as
well as the children's summer that much more exciting. If
setting up a computer station at you center is impossible,
then you may wish to take the children to the library
where computer usage is often free of charge. Allowing
children to explore using technology will help to better
prepare them for a future which will be full of
computerized equipment.
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