CYFAR Conference 2007
Chicago, IL

Computer Lab Proceedings



Building a Community Web Site


Jeanne Wiebke, Iowa State University Extension
Vishal Singh, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

CYFAR community projects can create Web sites with an easy to use tool called Joomla. This computer lab will outline the features of the software and demonstrate how Joomla can be used to create a client-friendly Web site. Over 10 CYFAR community projects signed up last year to work with Joomla; an update of the sites and their progress will be shared.

Community of Practice: Is It for You?


Trudy Dunham, University of Minnesota
Maureen Toomey, University of Idaho

Communities of Practice (CoP) are the latest trend in working collaboratively. But what really is a CoP? How can belonging to a CoP benefit me and my CYFAR program? What are the costs and expectations? Join us for “Community of Practice 101” where we demonstrate what it is and give you a chance to role-play membership in a hands-on activity. Information on joining or forming a CoP is provided.

Developing Online Games and Animations in Your Out-of-School Program


Trudy Dunham, University of Minnesota
Vishal Singh, University of Nebraska

Want to add a game development activity to your program but can’t afford the cost and complexity of Flash? Here it is! Learn how to use the free software Scratch to easily create graphics, animations, and simple computer games—including posting your games online. Get activity plans and contest ideas that you can use tomorrow in your out-of school program.

Engaging Youth in Communities through Technology


Lisa Bouillion, University of Illinois Extension
Steve Wagoner, University of Illinois Extension

Learn how community-based youth programs are using technology to engage middle and high school youth as active problem solvers and partners in their communities. You will have the opportunity to learn more about new technologies, such as geographical information systems (GIS), and gain practical strategies and ideas for using these tools to position youth as a resource within your own community.

Exploring the Educational Uses of Virtual Environments


Vishal Singh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lisa Bouillion, University of Illinois Extension

Take the opportunity to interact within the online 3D world, Second Life, which is currently inhabited by over a million users worldwide! In Second Life you chat with people around the world, attend meetings, experience live performances, and even create your own residence. Then participate in a guided discussion of potential uses of online worlds to support learning and collaboration.

Mentoring with On-Line Communication Technology


Melissa Scheer, Harry Tyrer, Bill Pabst, Tom Marrero and Lee Henson, University of Missouri-Columbia

This computer lab demonstrated how MSN instant messenger and hotmail were the communication tools used to for an on-line mentoring program. Resources include the power point presentations, an internet scavenger hunt about safety and the “Where do you stand on technology?” Activity.

Money Talk$: Online 101


Charles G. Go, University of California Cooperative Extension, Alameda County
Karen Varcoe and Margaret Johns, University of California Cooperative Extension

Money Talks, a teen money management curriculum, continues to grow. Addressing the cyber generation needs of today's teens, University of California Cooperative Extension specialist and staff collaborated to create an interactive website. The new website provides easier access to the curriculum and other resources plus it targets teens with interactive financial games (i.e., expense station game, gassing up, etc.).

Show Me the Money: Grant Writing 101


Daniel F. Perkins and Phillip Hoy, Pennsylvania State University
Lynne Borden, University of Arizona

Participants examined the grantsmanship process and the various funding mechanisms available related to programming for children, youth, and families. Through this computer lab, participants gained an understanding of how to write a grant proposal to implement programming that will make our communities and organizations better places to foster the positive development of our children, youth, and families.

Youth Financial Literacy Resources


Judy Branch, University of Vermont
Megan O'Neil-Haight, University of Maryland
Chris R. Koehler, Washington State University
Elizabeth Kiss, Purdue University

Seventy-eight percent of high school students report not using a spending plan, and most high schools do not teach personal finance. Participants will learn how to obtain no cost teaching materials for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 for learning to plan for spending, sharing and saving. Curricula will be shown as well as how to find teaching support on the Internet.