CYBER Kids Instructor

A CYBER Kids Instructor is much more than an "instructor" in the classic sense. To meet the diverse requirements, as described below, all CYBER Kids Instructors must attend courses at the CYBER School of Instructors.

The Instructor as a "Promoter and Guide"

The curriculum is not only the "juice" of CYBER Kids, it is also a strong marketing tool. Every person involved in CYBER Kids should be able to explain clearly and precisely the structure, content and approach used in our curriculum and teaching methodology, using the basic CYBER Kids terminology. This explanation should integrate the CYBER Philosophy and the CYBER Vision with actual, practical examples taken from the curriculum and from the work of the students.

Any CYBER Kids staff member should be able to show the student's work and illustrate that as a computer assisted learning center, CYBER Kids operates through a developed and continuously updated curriculum. S/he should further be able to show by using examples of work and curriculum lessons that the content of the curriculum is highly interdisciplinary as it is developed by a Research and Development team which includes psychologists, educators, engineers, sociologists, mathematicians, programmers, economists, etc.

Moreover, any staff member should be able to demonstrate through the curriculum and specific examples that the innovative approach of CYBER Kids lies in the fact that computer applications are learned not as an end in themselves, but as tools used by students to execute educational tasks and projects and finally that these educational tasks and projects are derived not only from the entire spectrum of academic disciplines, but also from a variety of professional and social spheres.

Referring to the way students develop through the work they do at CYBER Kids, a staff member ought to be able to show specific dimensions of what and how a student learns. S/he should be able to indicate to a parent how a student acquires new knowledge of different subjects, learns computer skills, develops creativity, conducts problem-solving, manages and organizes a project, increases his/her motivation to learn and complete tasks, etc.

At CYBER, we educate the future citizens of the global village and the social agents for change and advancement. The CYBER Kids method constitutes a compilation from recent studies and educational implementation plans in the area of computer education. Computers have entered our lives irreversibly: a fact but also a challenge! CYBER Kids meet this challenge and offer comprehensive yearly computer-based curricula for children in Grades K-8. In these lessons, the computer is used as a tool for expression and construction and as a medium for instruction. The integration of computer in the classroom constitutes though only half of the truth. Along with rich technology and the structured curricula lies the rest of the CYBER idea: a revised teaching

approach that encompasses the idea of the teacher as a facilitator, a dedication to positive thinking, problem-solving, quick decision-making, creativity. The continuous networking of CYBER Kids with worldwide academic Institutions and the firm belief that education is the iris of a culture and a nation, is the cornerstone in moving from country to country and warrantees the international future of CYBER.

Letters to children, parents, social partners

The instructor is the link between the large CYBER Kids enterprise and the final client (the student and the parents). Communication between the instructor and his/her clients is a very important and integral part of the CYBER Kids operation. Frequent letters to parents and other social partners should aim to keep our clients informed about our work, about our activities, about our successes.

Futhermore, letters should also be sent to one's students in order to (a) build rapport and professionalism between instructor and students and (b) to form and organize certain projects and activities.

CYBER Awards

CYBER Kids has a series of awards. Every National Headquarter may nominate (and in most cases honor) kids, other associates and branches for all CYBER Kids awards. The final decision for the awards is taken/approved by the International Headquarters (IHQ). The criteria are described elsewhere for each type of award and are made available to all interested parties. All awards must be sealed by the IHQ and signed by the International & National Headquarter CEOs.

Each award costs $50 (metal), $25 (paper). Extra copies are half price.

CYBER Out

CYBER Kids avoid using the term "extracurriculal activities" because the following activities are smoothly integrated into the curriculum and aim to materialize our curriculum philosophy target for sociability, linking to society and real-life. Throughout their interaction with CYBER Kids, students are engaged in a number of activities which includes among others, the following:

CYBER Kids UTC

CYBER students automatically become members of the USERS' TRAINING CLUB (UTC). Provided they make an appointment, students can use the special facilities at CYBER Kids centers to practice what they have learned, to work on projects or to complete school work. Generally they are free to engage in any creative work to help them develop through the use of CYBER Kids facilities. It is of utmost importance to underline that CYBER Kids students may use CYBER Kids facilities under this scheme in any country (or district) in which CYBER Kids operates.

CYBER Kids Newspaper

This activity has been very successful from the very first day of its implementation. Students work either as individuals or in teams to prepare articles, advertisements, announcements or other pieces of work for their Newspaper. Each country organizes the production of its own Newspaper. Usually, the responsibility for its production is assigned every year to a different CYBER Kids Branch. In the process of its preparation and production, students come in contact with all facets of the world of Media (i.e., Marketing & Promotion Departments, Sales Units etc.).

Electronic Art Fair

One of the highlights of the Year was the Electronic Art Fair. Throughout the year, Instructors encouraged their students to prepare works for the Electronic Art Fair. Planning ahead was very important. All paintings should have been ready well in advance.

Books Exhibition

Children present books, reports, multimedia packages developed by them in an open form with the involvement of social organizations and their own parents.

Animation Competition

Children prepare 3-D animations of predescribed lengths and content and participate in a media covered event that results to the selection and recognition of the best productions.

Innovation-Technology-Social Progress

For instances, all children are urged and encouraged to participate in the Annual State Fair of Innovation Technology and Social Progress which is organised in Cyprus by the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute, the Institute of Technology. The Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Development Bank. In each country, CYBER Kids seeks out or organizes equivalent Innovation Fairs for participation. The goal is to exhibit work of students and enhance the values and objectives of improving culture and society by an innovative process of change.

Apprenticeship

Children who have special talent and abilities should be offered and given the chance to improve and progress. Such students are encouraged to participate in specialized projects related to CYBER Kids and their affiliates. These may involve curriculum projects with the curriculum development R&D team, projects linked to real workplaces and professions, or even research projects linked to colleges. It may also be possible to engage gifted children in joint projects with children in other countries. Children who have talent and are interested in new openings in the world of technology and social change may be granted a scholarship or their fees may be partially subsidized by a collaborating company.

Summer Jobs

One of the services that CYBER Kids offers is to help its students find summer jobs in a work setting where they can make use of the skills and knowledge they acquired at CYBER Kids. It is assumed that CYBER Kids will use its community contacts to help find work placement for its students. This activity is viewed both as a social service and as a way of making CYBER Kids widely known.

Research

Senior members of CYBER Kids may offer support to college and university students who are involved in research projects or seek research ideas which are related directly or indirectly to the work of CYBER Kids. Such work may be related to any aspect of the IT and educational activities of CYBER Kids and/or to any areas of expertise or interest of the senior members of CYBER Kids. Offering support services for students working on projects links directly to the R&D interests of CYBER Kids through Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute (CNTI) or a possible equivalent institution in the country concerned.

Sports and camping

CYBER staff are encouraged to organize sporting activities which are liked by students and instructors as a way of enriching the life of the CYBER Kids community. Activities such as football, basketball, swimming, tennis, etc. sustain student interest and attract new youngsters into the CYBER world.

Organizing camping excursions involving CYBER Kids students and instructors is another valuable activity. Normally taking place in the summer, camping is viewed as a pleasant event which breaks the pattern of daily routine in a way that is fun for everyone. Moreover, it creates solidarity among CYBER Kids members at various levels, developing a sense of community, identity and CYBER culture.

Activities for Charity

CYBER Kids students and instructors are urged to organize and/or participate in charity events through their work. Such involvement is in line with the high level of social consciousness and responsibility which is continuously cultivated through the CYBER Kids curriculum. There are many ways of achieving this goal. One approach is to take advantage of charity organizations which are active in areas related to children's health such as cancer, leukemia, aids, special needs, etc. and help them in organizing special fund raising events (or simply participate in important and well-publicized fundraising campaigns). CYBER Kids should of course be dressed appropriately, and the CYBER Kids organizers should make sure that our participation receives enough publicity (Newspapers, Magazines, Radio and TV should all be invited to cover such events). The second approach is to innovate and organize an event which will receive attention. Again the funds can be donated to a charity organization. Another fundraising example is the organization of a Flea Market in the center of each city a few weeks before Christmas during which CYBER Kids (and their friends) sell their used and old toys. Again publicity and media coverage are integral part of the process. Use such events to stimulate your students to work on new projects and sensitize them about the issues involved.