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+--- Thread: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? (/showthread.php?tid=85770)
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mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - Wailer - 10-09-2009
I'm trying to justify an existing 1.6ghz core duo mac mini with a USB camera in my daughter's preschool class. The preschool director is afraid that it'll be just a passive device used for watching youtube or playhouse disney. I agree with her that that would not be a good use for a computer for 4 and 5 year olds.
What things can be done with free software that would be for encouraging social interaction for these kids?
I'm thinking of capturing the day on a USB camera and the time elapsing it. I think using ichat to chat with other kids would be neat, but there aren't any other cam-enabled computers at the school.
Any other ideas?
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - silvarios - 10-09-2009
You could use it as an internet widget box. Have a bunch of Widgets installed that are constantly updating with interesting info. Yes, still passive, but beats the pants off of Disney or YouTube.
Nathan
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - Black - 10-09-2009
Take a glass of milk and dip some Oreos or Chips Ahoy in it. Make sure some of the cookie ends up in the milk.
Then dump it on the mini.
Much better than agonizing over when it's going to happen.
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - silvarios - 10-09-2009
Ack, Black you are killing me. If that is the predestined future for Wailer's Mac mini then he can send it to me for $200.
Nathan
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - btfc - 10-09-2009
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wildlife+webcams&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - btfc - 10-09-2009
http://www.epals.com/
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - gabester - 10-09-2009
I actually think directed Youtube use could be very useful and quite educational. Show clips of things relevant to classroom discussion. g=
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - sunfalcon - 10-09-2009
Social interaction on a computer with 4-5 year olds? Umm, my daughter is 4 and there's not a lot of social interaction she is doing on the computer - and I do not want her doing that. Who knows who she'll interract with?
Playhouse Disney is a GREAT site with actually a lot of educational games. I like the widget idea from above too.
It could also have all of the kids music on it as well.
I think there are plenty of uses for a mac mini at a preschool. Donate it and take the write-off.
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - deckeda - 10-09-2009
Download Fluid http://fluidapp.com/ and setup a few dedicated site apps so that nobody has to futz with navigating / policing bookmarks.
If you look around there are several sites that engage kids with games, quizzes and other activities.
But decide if the mini is to be for the group's benefit (i.e. everyone watches at once or shares question-answering) or as some sort of individual activity/reward.
Re: mac mini in preschool. What to do with it? - Wailer - 10-09-2009
Thanks for the suggestions.
I wasn't very clear but when I said "socialize" I meant to increase socialization amongst themselves. The school is all about socializing and not about learning your ABCs and anything that increases kids discussing or laughing together would be considered good.
It wasn't my mac mini that was donated. I'm no where near that generous. Yes, I think they'd be better off with $300 in art supplies, but the teachers really want to incorporate something involving computers but don't really know what. The director is just afraid it'll wind up as a pseudo-TV.
I was hoping for some ideas that were not internet related since that opens a whole can of worms even though the school does have wifi. I was thinking more along the lines of Photo Booth where they can laugh while taking pictures with others.