In Futurekids Frontiers, the students apply their knowledge of computers in 10 technology areas:
applied technology, databases, desktop publishing, graphics, the Internet, multimedia, operating
environments, programming, spreadsheets and wordprocessing. Skills in these areas will be
required to complete projects related to innovative technologies, archaeological discoveries,
exciting sports, global ecology and adventurous destinations.
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 Module 1 - Technologies
In Technologies, the first of five units, the students use wordprocessing and graphics skills to
complete a technology notebook containing nominations for the Institute of 20th Century
Technologys Hall of Fame. The children are introduced to basic wordprocessing as they write a
letter, create a riddle page, complete a fictitious story, enter descriptions for a timeline, organise
the instructions for a take-home experiment and develop the design for a new invention. As they
complete these projects, they enter and delete text; change the text font, size, style and colour;
adjust the line spacing; and set new margins. They practice using graphics skills, such as selecting
and inserting appropriate clipart, resizing and repositioning images, selecting and applying
different colours, layering objects and using tools to draw shapes and lines, as they create a
diagram of a telephone, an aviation timeline and a take-home experiment. In addition, the students
explore the Internet to gather information about science experiments.
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 Module 2 - Discoveries
In Discoveries, the second of five units, the students use database skills to discover a hidden
treasure. They are introduced to basic database functions as they sort a list of participants for the
treasure hunt. In the lessons that follow, they enter collected information into new records and
format database tables and forms. By filtering this data, they reveal hidden clues that lead them to
the sunken treasure. Once they find the treasure, the pupils organise the contents of the treasure in
a database table and generate a report using a wordprocessing application. In addition, the
students explore the Internet and send and receive e-mail messages.
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 Module 3 - Sports
In Sports, the third of five units, the students use desktop publishing skills to create materials
promoting a revolutionary new sports arena, Frontier Stadium. They are introduced to basic
desktop publishing skills as they create a calendar of sporting events, an advertisement for ski
jumping at the stadium, an entry form for a team-naming contest and a brochure describing the
stadium. In completing these projects, the pupils create and manipulate text and graphics frames,
add images, create page borders, align objects and rotate text. They also use their own photographs
to design a roller hockey trading card and a magazine cover. In addition, they explore the Internet
to gather information about advertising.
 Module 4 - Ecology
In Ecology, the fourth of five units, the students use spreadsheet skills to conduct research for a
wildlife preserve. They assist in determining how well the preserve is helping threatened and
endangered animals. The students are introduced to basic spreadsheet skills as they identify cells
by row and column and use the spreadsheet as a calculator. The pupils then perform mathematical
operations and create various charts and graphs. They practice their Internet skills as they send
and receive e-mail messages and access a Web site by entering a URL. In addition, they apply
wordprocessing skills to create reports based on the spreadsheet data.
 Module 5 - Destinations
In Destinations, the fifth of five units, the pupils use multimedia skills to create a slide-show
presentation promoting a travel agency, Frontier Travel. To complete the multimedia
presentation, the students create slides, insert images, add text and sounds, animate images
and text, change movement timing, create hot spots, modify background colour, add a
background image and insert video clips. To personalize their presentations, the pupils record
their voices and link the sound files to hot spots. At the end of the unit, the students play the
presentations for their peers. In addition, they explore a multimedia encyclopedia to locate
examples of multimedia.
The above overview is based on the Gold level which is appriopriate for 4th to 6th class students. There are also Silver and Platinum levels - Silver is appriopriate for 1st to 3rd class and the Platinum level is for post primary schools. Samples of the programme are available in all levels for evaluation purposes. Please e-mail info(nospam)@futurekids.ie (removing "nospam") and state which level/s you would like to see. |
