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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 23, 1983)
New camp, classes offer computer help Back in the “good ol’days” sum mer camp activities were centered around a swimming hole, a campfire and lots of fresh air. Move over nostalgic memories and make way for technology — the University’s first computer camp will be here Aug. 7-20. The camp was designed for children ages nine to 15 and offers something for those who've never touched a computer — as well as those with some experience. It is only one of many computer-oriented courses the University Continuation Center is offering this summer. The classes and camp are the result of a "tremendous need" to educate and familiarize the public about computers, says Nina Katz of the Continuation Center. About 100 budding scientists will get extensive “hands-on” experience with more than three hours daily in formal computer instruction by teachers skilled in both computers and children. As computers become more com mon in schools, computer expertise will be a must. "This is the future,” Katz says. One woman who registered her son for the camp told Katz the child “doesn’t go anywhere without his Atari.” Eventually, learning to use com puters will be as important as learn ing to drive a car, says Tim Riordon, a local computer consultant who helped design one of the summer computer classes. Computer campers will learn the relatively simple LOGO computer language, which was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology specifically for children. LOGO is only one of many different computer languages. "LOGO is our language of choice because it allows students to quickly learn to write programs that create graphics and interactive games. These highly motivating projects foster a tremendous amount of pro blem solving on the part of our stu dent programmers,” states a con tinuation center brochure. Not surprisingly, the first thing most kids want to do with a computer is make video games. With their new language, they can create rudimen tary designs — but nothing that would out sell Pac Man, Riordon says. Children tend to learn this “foreign” language easier than adults do, possibly because of their young age. “They say the time to teach a language is when you’re a kid. They (children) don’t have any fears or preconceptions about technology as adults often do,” Riordan says. Although the camp’s Apple com puters will be the center of attraction, traditional summer camp activities will also abound. The young program mers will take a rafting trip, travel to Oregon’s coast, have barbecues and watch movies, as well as participate '4 Emerald photo The University will offer computer courses for kids this summer. in organized sports activities. Registrations will be accepted until the camp’s first day or until capacity is reached. Program cost is $425. A non-refundable deposit must be in cluded with the registration form for each child. “Children" of all ages will par ticipate in a related seminar called “Computer Graphics For Kids." The word ‘kid’ is in the title to imply the class’s exploratory nature, Riordon says. Unlike the computer camp, par ticipants won't learn how to program computers, but they will make com puter graphics and animations. Using a special digitizing camera, students can take any photograph and turn it into a computer image that they can experiment with on the screen. A technological graphics tool call ed a "light pen” is hooked to the computer and draws lines when touched to the screen. These “draw ings" can be filled in with colors and used in computer art presentations. The class was designed by Riordon and Ken O’Connell, chairman of the fine arts department, and will meet two hours daily for two weeks. Several sessions are available: June 27-July 8, 12:30-2:30 or 3-5 p.m.; July 26-Aug. 5, 12:30-2:30 or 3-5 p.m. Enrollment is limited to 20 students. The cost for either week is $65. A more technical graphics class called “Microcomputer Graphics Workshop” (Cl 408G) will give students “hands-on” experience in microcomputer graphics hardware and software. Familiarity with microcomputers is recommended. O’Connell will also teach this class which runs July 11-15, 9-12 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. The class costs $250 and is worth three credit hours. Courses are also available for elementary education teachers. Graphic by Shawn Bird “Computers in the Elementary Cur riculum” (Cl 408G) will offer a hands on introduction to implementing com puter software in the classroom. Teachers will learn how to improve student writing skills, create dittos and transparencies, and improve record-keeping, all with a computer’s help. During the course participants can apply their computer knowledge to specific areas such as music, art, social studies, language arts, science and math. The class meets from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., June 27-July 1. The 2-credit class costs $219 ($175 non credit). Adults wishing to learn LOGO com puter language can attend “LOGO — An Introductory Workshop” (Cl 408G) worth two credits. Participants will be introduced to LOGO programming ideas used in creating interactive computer games. Classroom manage ment ideas and activity books will be surveyed. The class meets 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 1-5. Cost is $219 ($175 non-credit). Teachers interested in teaching LOGO in the classroom can gain valuable experience by assisting an instructor in teaching LOGO to com puter campers. “LOGO — Practicum” (Cl 408G) will include working for two weeks at the camp for three hours daily, as well as one evening weekly for one hour. If they wish, students can present a lesson to the campers for added experience. Practicum students must receive the instructor’s consent prior to registration. The class meets Aug. 8-19. Cost is $62 for the 1-credit class. In addition to these classes, 12 day-long microcomputer workshops are being offered July 20-25. Registra tion details for these tutorials, as well as for other classes, is available at the Continuation Center: 686-4231. Story by Joan Herman Lincoln Mercury LOW RENTAL CAR RATES for fully equipped 1983 Mercury cars: FWD, LYNX, ZEPHYR, MARQUIS. 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