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
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