I can very clearly remember approaching the speaker at our local homeschool conference about a year and a half ago. I had read her blog several times and was just beginning my own. I had one question for her, "Do you have any advice on learning html?"
Now, I should tell you that I have learned much from this sweet lady, but unfortunately she had little to offer me that day on this subject. And I can't blame her. Since then, I have began to dabble a little with html code only to make this blog look a little prettier or function the way I want it to. I have read articles, watched youtube videos, and gotten more than a handfull of headaches while trying to figure out this strange computer language.
So is it possible to teach html to kids? Brian Richardson from Web Designs for Kids (and Curious Grown-ups) thinks it is!
Web Designs for Kids (and Curious Grown-ups) is DVD that teaches the basics of creating a webpage from html to students ages 8 to adult. Brian sets up his classroom in front of the camera with the help of two preteen students. He teaches them and us in a friendly and fun manner. Also, there are no strange computer programs needed. All that is required to create a webpage with Brian is a computer with Notepad and Internet Explorer.
The DVD is 1 hour and 22 minutes long and covers such subjects as basic html, changing the color of your font and backgrounds, and adding pictures to your webpage.
Wanna see something I learned?
Gavin (8) actually wanted to watch the entire video in one sitting and had no problem following along.
Web Designs for Kids (and Curious Grown-ups)DVD is usually $40, but you can purchase it right now for only $19.99 on their website. A portion of all the funds received from the sale of the DVD is distributed to the following five charities: The Smile Train, Ronald McDonald House, Childrens Miracle Network, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and the American Foundation for the Blind.
Still not convinced that teaching html to your kids will be beneficial? Brian explains why he thinks it is here on the website, including this excerpt:
-The kids could see their results immediately, resulting in instant positive feedback.
-HTML teaches attention to detail in that, if something is incorrectly coded, things can go haywire real quick. This basically forces kids to concentrate.
-All the software necessary to create a web page is already on a computer with a Windows Windows 95, 98, XP, or Vista Operating System -Notepad, Internet Explorer, and Paint!!(Kids could actually go home and do this in front of their mom and dad! They could do basic web pages even if the family couldn't afford an internet connection!)
You can also see webpages created by students and a video clip from the DVD.
I would certainly recommend this DVD be a part of every homeschool computer course and I'm personally looking forward to release of the 2nd Web Designs DVD!
For more reviews of this product from homeschool moms, visit the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!
First - glad you hear your little one is better!
ReplyDeleteSecond - great review!! What a cool idea to include some html coding! ;-)
Oh my goodness. I've been having html troubles on my blog, and just THIS morning my mom and I were talking about it. We said - part joking and part serious that I should teach my oldest html! How funny! I'll have to look into this!
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