The Miller Institute
for Learning with Technology
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The Miller Institute
for Learning with Technology
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Sign your student up for 2009 Summer Workshops now!
Why settle for games and applications written by others, for others,
when you can write your own computer games or applications to do
precisely what you want? In this camp, students who are already
confident users of technology take the next leap by assembling a simple
"floor turtle" style robot and then writing their own
computer programs to control it. Examples from basic robotics programming help
illustrate powerful ideas such as variables, conditionals, iteration,
recursion, subprocedures, data structures, and algorithms.
Problem-solving and debugging skills learned in the computing context
generalize and can be applied in a wide variety of non-computer
settings.
Increase your “techie confidence” by strengthening core computer skills: word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and even creating your own web pages. No prior experience necessary.
Earn our Classroom Technology Officer™ [CTO] certificate, acquiring the same skills and habits of mind used by IT professionals. Hands-on activities illustrate ways to help teachers and family with preventive maintenance and problem solving, on both Windows and Mac PCs, networks, and printers.
For more details call 650-598-0105.
Typically, students begin to be ready for this series of workshops by fifth grade, depending on prior access to technology at home and at school. Occasionally, students are ready by the time they enter fourth grade. However, the depth and breadth of the material varies depending on the venue and audience, so that the material remains challenging throughout high school as well as for adults who describe themselves as "technophobic." We have sometimes had entire families attend, and build a computer together, as well as having seniors working side-by-side with young adults and their younger siblings. The main pre-requisite is strong interest and a desire to learn new things. One way to manage the cost of the Parts Kits is to team up with a friend or family member, sharing a single finished computer or robot.
No. The primary prerequisite for participation is strong interest. In previous sessions, we found that prior academic achievement is not necessarily a predictor of technology success; but tech success tends to lead to increases in self-esteem and academic achievement, especially for formerly low achievers. We also found that girls and boys are equally likely to benefit from and enjoy the program, as are students of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
Students receive a Binder, including program outline, checklists, and other printed materials to assist them in their technology projects. The binders also include some basic tools such as emergency startup disks for various computer platforms, a small flashlight, etc. Students completing the program also receive a certificate of completion, indicating the skills they have mastered, and a CTO membership card. Most importantly, all receive 20 hours of FUN, hands-on instruction, and authentic, practical experience, taught by the same folks who help design and support the computer networks at many local schools. During the next academic year, our graduates attending local schools are often offered additional opportunities to extend their expertise, such as by helping out with technology projects around their own school and by eligibility for special field trips, such as Intel, The Tech Museum, and MacWorld.
The lead instructor is Mark L. Miller, Ph.D., founder of the program
and Principal Investigator on the original Kellogg Foundation grant.
Miller is President and Executive Director of The Miller Institute
for Learning with Technology (learningtech.org). He earned his Ph.D.
in Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(1979), specializing in models of human thinking and learning, with
applications to education, contributing to such innovations as the
LOGO programming language. Miller has over three decades of industry
experience, and teaches technology courses part-time at local schools
and community colleges. Mark’s workshops always receive outstanding
reviews.
All instruction is in English. However, if more than a few Spanish-speaking students enroll in a given workshop, an Interpreter (who is not one of the technology instructors) can be available to assist during most sessions. Our usual Interpreter is a native English speaker, who is fluent in Spanish, and has spent a year studying in Spain. There is no ability, at this time, to assist ELL students whose native language is other than English or Spanish.
... your program had a PROFOUND impact on (name-of-student)....he's so proud of himself ... he's now talking about computer jobs ... asked his teacher to invite the Cañada College pre-engineering program to ... do a presentation ...-- Cathy Lipe, K-12 Education Program Manager, Hewlett Packard
I was truly impressed by the ... students. Your Kellogg program sounds like it could be an eventual solution to some of the tech support needed by schools. More importantly, the students are the ones who ultimately benefit. Just listening to the kids as I drove them to and from, their self worth jumped significantly during the week... -- Joe Becerra, former Director of Technology and Media Services, SMCOE
... you will be happy to know that (name-of-student) is blossoming.... He has been on the honor roll for two terms, received an academic accolade, was awarded the coach's award in soccer, is skiing on the varsity ski team and has been selected for the tech team.... (He) is just thriving in every way. What a change from the (low grades he had) struggled to achieve for 3 years running.... You're fabulous!! -- Margaret C., Parent
Detailed information and signup sheet can be found here:
Registration and Payment Information
1. Helen Carey Baker Memorial Scholarship for Children of Single Moms
This scholarship provides a full week of tuition to attend our summer camp. The winning applicant will be a student entering grades 5-9, living in a single-parent home with her/his mother or female legal guardian; the household income must be at or below the national "free or reduced lunch" poverty thresholds (as documented by an official letter from the applicant's school -- detailed income documentation is not desired). Applicant should submit a short (500 words maximum) essay describing their family situation and their strong interest in technology.
Awards per Year: 1
2. Friends of Miller Institute Scholarships for Children with Financial Need and Aptitude for Technology
These scholarships provide from one day to a full week of tuition to attend our summer camp. The winning applicants will be students entering grades 5-9, with household income at or below the national "free or reduced lunch" poverty thresholds (as documented by an official letter from the applicant's school -- detailed income documentation is not desired). Applicant should also demonstrate unusual ability or intense interest in technology through a short (500 words maximum) essay explaining their reasons for wishing to attend and any prior technology activities or accomplishments.
Awards per Year: Depends on Sponsor Generosity (usually 1 or 2)
Information about our summer workshop program is available online (http://www.learningtech.org/summercamps/summercamp09_flier.pdf), by telephone (650-598-0105), and via email (cto@learningtech.org). Unsure if our programs are right for your daughter or son? Give us a call! Or ask a student who attended in previous years how much they enjoyed it!