Tech Freebies & Program Ideas

Robin Bryanrbryan@plcmc.org

Technology Education ManagerImaginOn

&Matt Gullett

mgullett@plcmc.orgEmerging Technology Manager

Virtual Village

The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

Creators & Participators

• Generations of learners are hungry to create and participate.

• They look for opportunities to develop skills and to create things.

• They are interested more in participating in creating their experience rather than just passively consuming it.

“Make It” Happen

• Creating things at the library is nothing new

• Children’s programs often feature arts and crafts to supplement story experiences

• Creating with technology is the new arts and crafts for a new generation– Painting Pixels– Crayons Cameras

Use What You Have

• “Kidsize” traditional adult programs, such as MS Office– Excel becomes Fun with Charts and Graphs (and

Skittles!)– Word becomes Create a

• Downloadable freeware-Tux Paint art program-BabySplat-Picassa

• Web activities– PBS Kids, StoryPlace, author sites, Image

Generators, puzzle makers, scavenger hunts

Using what you already have …

• Word

• Excel

• Powerpoint

• MS Paint

Other freebies and other things …

Purchased software and activities …

What Happens at ImaginOn

• Drop in tech activities– Comic wall– Animation collage– DDR Day

• Programs– Creative software (KidPix)– Computer basics– Computer guts– Advanced skills (Photoshop, Dreamweaver)

Imagine this …

• ImaginOn & Studio i

Studio i

• An animation, video, editing and music creation room

• 3 stations– 2 for downshooting 2D animation– 1 live action or 3D animation (like claymation)

• Blue screen wall for changing the background

• eMac with keyboard for music creation

Portable Animation Station

• iMac

• Mini “station” with camera, lighting, blue screen and whiteboard capability

• I Can Animate software (Mac only)

• Ability to provide animation programming at branch locations and schools

What is created

• Fun, learn how to animate projects

• Family projects (such as animating family photos)

• School projects

• Music compositions

• Music videos

• Teen/Staff projects

Software

• Stop Motion Pro

• Pinnacle Studio

• Sony Acid Music Studio

• Garage Band (Mac)

• Final Cut Studio (Mac)

How can I do This?

• Windows comes with Movie Maker

• Photos can be turned into “movies”, not just video

Next steps …

“… the greatest opportunity for change iscurrently found in after-school programsand informal learning communities.”

“Participatory culture shifts the focus ofliteracy from one of individual expressionto community involvement.”

Quotes are taken from Henry Jenkins paper, “Confrontingthe Challenges of Participatory culture: Media Education forthe 21st Century.”