Registration for these classes begins on Wednesday, January 2.

Little Clickers  Wednesdays, January 16 - February 13 from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

An interactive technology class for 4 and 5-year-olds and a parent/caregiver.  This technology program will introduce new kid-friendly websites and help your preschooler learn basic computer skills.

Register online

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Techsplorers     Mondays, January 14-February 11 from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

A technology class for 6 to 8-year-olds.  Elementary-aged children will have the opportunity to reinforce computer skills, explore fun new websites, and create unique projects using both traditional and digital art techniques.

Register

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iKids     Mondays, January 14-February 11 from 5 to 6 p.m.

A creation-based technology program for 9 to 12-year-olds.  This highly interactive class focuses on using technology to express creativity.  From podcasting and digital photography to book trailers and art apps, kids will explore different media and create their own.

Waitlist

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Stop-Motion Animation Workshop     Wednesday, March 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Lights! Camera! Action!  Using the iMotion app, kids will record their own stop-motion clips.  Participants will work collaboratively to design the plot, setting, and characters using LEGO minifigures. Ages 9 to 12. 

Waitlist

21 Things for 21st Century Parents     January 14 to March 15

This 8-week online course for parents introduces the latest and most influential new technologies, from Twitter and Instagram to maker culture and apps.  Participate at your own pace by completing mini-assignments ("Things") online for the chance to win weekly raffle prizes.  Participants will also have opportunities to meet each week in person and take hands-on classes.  Topics will include eBooks and Devices, Facebook and Twitter, Maker Culture, Gaming, Blogs, Apps, Photosharing, and Homework 2.0. 

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Monday Matinee Film Series: Connected     Monday, January 14 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, January 17 at 7 p.m.

Tiffany Shlain embarks on a journey of the visible and invisible as she tries to unravel the ways technology, population growth, human rights, and global conditions contribute to connectedness in the modern family.  Employing imaginative animation and archival footage, Shlains memoir-like documentary is unique, uplifting, and thought-provoking. (Unrated, 60 minutes)

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Etsy 101 Workshop for Parents     Tuesday, January 22 at 10 a.m.

Are you crafty? If you've ever thought about opening your own online store, Etsy may be the place to start.  It's the world's most vibrant marketplace for buying and selling handmade or vintage items.  Learn how to run an Etsy shop from Jennifer St. Jean of the Itty Bitty Bag Company.

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Twitter and Facebook for Parents     Wednesday, January 30 at 9:30 a.m.

Tweeting's not just for the birds anymore!  Learn the basics of two of the world's most popular social media networks: Twitter and Facebook.  Find out how to set up and effectively use an account and how to navigate and control privacy settings for young users.

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Monday Matinee Film Series: Video Game Revolution     Monday, February 4 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, February 7 at 7 p.m.

Video games have influenced the way children live and play, forever altered the entertainment industry, and even affected the way wars are fought.  See how it all began and what it means for our future.  (Unrated, 120 minutes)

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Start Your Own Website or Blog     Tuesday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Have you ever wanted to start a website of blog of your own?  In this workshop, learn how easy it is to create a Wordpress.com website.  All you need is an e-mail address to get started.

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Tumblr for Parents     Thursday, February 14 at 10 a.m.

Learn about the Tumblr community and how parents can benefit from joining.  Find out how to set up your own Tumblr account, find users to follow, and discuss Tumblr vocabulary such as "reblogging."

Register online

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TEDxDarienLibrary     Every Monday in March at 10 a.m.

TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, "Ideas Worth Spreading." Parents are invited to enjoy some of the most jaw-dropping and fascinating talks on technology and the future. 

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App Chat: Apps for All Ages     Tuesday, February 26 at 10 a.m.

Pull up a chair and learn all about the latest and greatest apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices.  This program will be held in the Children's Library.

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Tweet Up: Apps for All Ages     Thursday, February 28 at 8 p.m.

Join the conversation on great new apps from the comfort of your home or while on the go.  Using Twitter and the hashtag #DLTweetUp, you are invited to chat with the librarians and other parents.

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Photosharing Workshop for Parents     Tuesday, March 5 at 10 a.m.

In this technology class, parents will be introduced to photosharing websites and applications such as Flickr, Instagram, and Photogene.  Bring your digital photos and smartphone for some photo fun! 

Register online

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App Chat: Homework Help Apps     Tuesday, March 12 at 10 a.m.

Pull up a chair and learn all about the latest and great apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices.  This program will be held in the Children's Library.

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Tweet Up: Homework Help 2.0     Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m.

Join the conversation on 21st Century research resources from the comfort of your home or while on the go.  Use Twitter and the hashtag "DLTweetUp", and chat with the librarians and other parents about this very important issue.

Kids using the iMotion app to make stop-action shorts

Monday 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

A creation-based technology program for 9 to 12-year-olds. This highly interactive class focuses on using technology to express creativity. From podcasting and digital photography to book trailers and art apps, kids will explore different media and create their own.

Registration is open to Darien residents, those employed full-time in Darien, or non-residents who are contributors at the $300 level and above.

Register for iKids 

Monday 4:15 to 5 p.m.

A technology class for 6 to 8-year-olds. Elementary-aged children will have the opportunity to reinforce computer skills, explore fun new websites and create unique projects using both traditional and digital art techniques.

Registration is open to Darien residents, those employed full-time in Darien, or non-residents who are contributors at the $300 level and above.

Register for Techsplorers 

Join in this interactive computer class with your child!

Tuesday 1:30 to 2 p.m.

A technology class for 3 to 5-year-olds and a parent/caregiver. Share an interactive computer class with your child. This technology program will introduce new kid-friendly websites and help your preschooler learn basic computer skills.

Register for Little Clickers 

Be safe online!

 A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety from the FBI.

Children's Technology Review reviews games and technology for kids.

GetNetWise has a really great toolkit for families that provides information about parental controls including which applications can let you control the amount of time your child uses the computer.

Internet Safety over at CommonSenseMedia.

Internet Safety Center has a channel on YouTube with videos that discuss how to tackle issues such as Identity Theft, Anit-Virus, Spyware, security software,

SafeKids is a blog on the topic, but also the host to ConnectSafely, a forum for parents that has a great list of tips and advice.

Parental Controls that keep tabs on young Web surfers at CNET.com where they describe filtering at the ISP, computer, operating systems, browsers, search engines and applications.

Wired Kids has information for both kids and adults while WiredSafety has a clear breakdown of areas to watch out for like chat, email and spyware.

Browsers/Applications for Kids:

Kidos (create a customized desktop for your kid, protect your kid AND your computer!)

KidRocket

KidZui (a firefox add-on)

Kid-friendly search engines:

AskKids

FactMonster

KidsClick

YahooKids

 Books:

Born Digital: Understanding the first genereation of Digital Natives by John Palfrey and Urs Gasser

Everything is Miscellaneous:The power of the new digital disorder by David Weinberger

Here Comes Everybody; How digital networks transform our ability to gather and Cooperate by Clay Shirky

Totally Wired; What teens and tweens are really doing online by Anastasia Goodstein

What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing today's challenges with wisdom and heart by Debra Haffner

Articles:

Digital Citzenship, Media Literacy and Child Safety - by Adam Thierer at Technology Liberation Front

If Your Kids Are Awake, They're Probably Online - by Tamar Lewin for the New York Times

Parental controls that keep tabs on young Web surfers by Elza Wenzel, Associate Editor, CNET.com & Robert Vamosi, Senior Editor, CNET.com

Wired Kids, Negligent Parents? - Room for Debate blog at the New York Times

Research & Reports (opens pdf documents):

Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century

Fool's Gold: A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood - a report issued by the Alliance for Childhood that asks some provocative, thoughtful questions about our children's use of computers.

Generation M2: Media in the lives of 8-18 year olds by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Horizon Report, 2009 identifies technologies that will likely have an impact on teaching and learning.

Pew Internet - a project of the Pew Research Center present reports that explore the issues and trends on the impact the Internet has on family, communtiy, work and home.

Tech Tonic: Towards a new literacy of technology - a report from the Alliance for Childhood that explores the appropriateness of technology for young children.

Children and Computers: New technology, old concerns - article that places studies on children and computers in historical context.

Websites:

CommonSenseMedia - Essential parental advice for managing media.

Read Write Web - a popular blog that provides technolgy news, review and analysis of web apps and technology trends.

NetFamilyNews - articles on the Internet and the host of Connect Safely, a forum for parents on the topic of children and technology.

SafeKids - Internet safety and civility.

Wired Magazine's Geek Dad - Raising Geek Generation 2.0

Web 2.0 Tricks and Tips

Many Web 2.0 sites are still in a beta (not final) and sometimes you may encounter bugs while using these sites. Here are some hints if you hit these kind of road blocks:

• Flash is required to view many web applications. If it is not installed on your computer, click here for a free download. Adobe Reader is required to read many links. If you do not have it, you can get it free here.
• There are many different browsers to get you to the Internet, but not all websites play nicely with all browsers equally. Switching browsers may solve your problem. Most sites seem to work with Mozilla's Firefox.Make sure you've got the updated version of the browser.
• If you are struggling, try closing the browser/program and re-opening it - this often solves the problem.
• Adjust your browser settings. Perhaps enabling pop-up windows, allowing cookies, and changing other settings to see if that works.
• Many sites require plug-ins like Flash to operate. Be sure you have the up-to-date versions installed on your computer. Do a search on the plug-in name to find the download, then follow the directions to install.
• Most sites have a Help or FAQ section. Try using these to solve your problem.
• Try search engines - If you type a description of your problem ("can't change font size in blogger," for example) into a search engine, chances are pretty good that someone else has had the problem and you might find the answer in a forum or group discussion.
• Post a comment to the Lesson post - maybe another 21 Things participant has had the same problem and can lend advice.
• When all else fails, move on to something else and try again later.
• When even that has failed, call your Children's Librarians!

If something you are looking at looks different, has disappeared or has been renamed/designed - the actual functionality is probably still there. You might just have to dig a little deeper - that is life in the Web 2.0 world; everchanging, exciting and hopefully challenging!

Children's Library

(203) 669-5235

crstaff@darienlibrary.org

Registration for 21 Things is now closed. Readers may follow along on this site. Stay tuned for the dates of the next program.

How does this online learning program work?
This is a self-directed learning program that encourages parents to explore and play with emerging technology. 

How long do I have to complete the program?
The program kicks off January 12, 2013 and officially wraps up March 15th.

Can I participate anonymously?
Since you can control all the information that you share on our website, you can choose to use a screen name that does not reveal your identity to the public, but Darien Library’s Children’s Librarians will know your identity to provide mentoring and track your participation.



Content and style for 21 Things for 21st Century Parents have been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License from the Learning 2.0-23 Things, a discovery learning program created by Helene Blowers for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County.