NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRESCHOOL MARKET By Jinny Gudmundsen Editor, ComputingWithKids.com Kid Tech Columnist, USA Today.com and the Gannett News Service 2005 PBS READY TO LEARN SUMMER INSTITUTE: TECHNOLGY USE IN PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS
ENTRY POINTS ARE CHANGING New Peripherals for Computer Use New Peripherals for Computer Use New “Plug and Play” Gaming Systems New “Plug and Play” Gaming Systems DVD Interactive Games DVD Interactive Games Interactive Book Readers Interactive Book Readers
New Peripherals for Computer Use Comfy Easy PC Comfy Easy PC Microphone Microphone JumpStart Reading with Karaoke JumpStart Reading with Karaoke
Comfy Easy PC An interactive keyboard for 1-3 year olds An interactive keyboard for 1-3 year olds Child driven and completely responsive to any touch Child driven and completely responsive to any touch Locks child out of parent’s computer Locks child out of parent’s computer Comes with software called “First Steps” Comes with software called “First Steps” Additional software is available that expands play age to 5 years old Additional software is available that expands play age to 5 years old
JumpStart Reading With Karaoke Uses music to motivate young children to read Uses music to motivate young children to read They learn words so that they can read the karaoke words to songs They learn words so that they can read the karaoke words to songs Kids can record their singing Kids can record their singing Software uses the microphone is other innovative ways Software uses the microphone is other innovative ways
New “Plug and Play” Gaming Systems Leapster L-Max Learning Game System Leapster L-Max Learning Game System VSmile Pocket Learning System VSmile Pocket Learning System ION Educational Gaming System (available this fall) ION Educational Gaming System (available this fall)
Leapster L-Max Learning Game System Handheld Educational Gaming System Handheld Educational Gaming System Can connect to the TV for big screen effect Can connect to the TV for big screen effect Dual screen experience--where Dual screen experience--where video on TV is different from what appears on handheld screen.
VSmile Pocket Learning System Handheld Educational Gaming System Handheld Educational Gaming System Plays left- or right-handed Plays left- or right-handed Can connect to TV for big screen effect Can connect to TV for big screen effect
ION Educational Gaming System Uses video camera to capture child’s movements Uses video camera to capture child’s movements Child controls the game by moving their whole body- they become the controller Child controls the game by moving their whole body- they become the controller Educational Educational [available in Fall 2005] [available in Fall 2005]
DVD Interactive Games Read with Me DVD! Read with Me DVD!
Interactive Book Readers LeapPad LeapPad Kids use stylus to operate Kids use stylus to operate Large library Large library Power Touch Power Touch Kids use finger to operate Kids use finger to operate Smaller library Smaller library
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