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About Our Classes   

The AMF, a non-profit organization, receives a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Florida's Challenger/Columbia license plates.  This funding makes it possible to offer these courses to Florida educators at discounted rates. 

All of the courses include a combination of lecture and hands-on activities taught in a classroom setting. A comprehensive manual and the use of an individual computer station are provided to each participant. The course material is continuously updated to meet the current needs of the educational community in the K-12 setting. The instructors, all former teachers, are knowledgeable and experienced with proven track records in their field of expertise.

Participants have rated these courses the best of their kind in all areas including delivery, content and price.

• "Excellent teachers and materials.  I will be back."

• "Instructors were both knowledgeable and helpful.  I was very comfortable asking questions."

• "Great training -- very well planned."

• "Well informed instructors -- great reference manual."

• "Well worth the time and money."

Classes are taught at the Kennedy Space Center, the site of every manned U.S. space flight, and an environment rich in technology. Classes are also scheduled at the Lowry Park Zoo - Tampa, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, or at your school/district site. See the schedule below for class locations.

Class Descriptions

Photoshop Adventures                                 

Program Duration:  2 days

Audience:  Any educator interested in using or instructing teachers and/or students in editing enhancing, organizing, and displaying digital photos in education.  First time photo editors as well as those with a working knowledge of photo editing will benefit from this program.

Program History:  Introduced in 2006, as requested by educators, digital photography exceeds the use of analog photography. This program was established to aid educators in keeping up with changing technologies utilizing the latest software for editing and organizing digital photos and is updated frequently. This program currently utilizes Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Program Description:  This program is designed for any educator who wants to learn or improve their skills in enhancing, organizing, and displaying digital photos.  Hands-on activities, collaborative learning and lecture are combined to provide participants a well-rounded project based program. Participants will be supplied with digital cameras, and all needed computer equipment to design, create, edit and take home a completed digital photo project.  Photoshop Elements, the inexpensive yet powerful digital photo editing and digital photo organizing software, is used during this course. Many skills learned can be applied to Adobe Photoshop and other professional photo editing software. A comprehensive manual is included with this course.

Program Contents:

• Photoshop Elements workspace

  • Organizer

  • Editor

• Acquiring and organizing photos

  • Files, CD’s, DVD’s, and Videos

• Automatic corrections

• Batch processing

  • Changing name

  • Changing size

  • Changing file type

  • Auto quick fix

• Using Layers

• Selecting parts of an image

• Color adjustments

• Cropping and resizing images

• Retouching images

  • Red eye, imperfections, etc.

• Using filters and effects

• Adding Text

• Creating a panorama

• Optimizing photos for the web, email, and sharing

• Printing photos

• Creating an HTML photo gallery

• Creating slide shows

Available for on-site training                                     

Video Adventures        

Program Duration: 2 days

Audience: Any educator interested in using or instructing teachers and/or students in producing, developing, and implementing digital video in education. Educators of all skill levels will benefit from this program.

Program History: Initially introduced in 2005, this program was established to teach educators about digital video technologies. This updated version of the program uses Adobe Premiere Elements 8 to create and manipulate videos.

Program Description: This program is designed for any educator who wants to learn about digital video filming and editing. Collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and lecture are combined to provide participants a well-rounded project based program. Participants will be supplied with video cameras, microphones and all needed computer equipment to design, create, edit and take home a completed digital video project. New Adobe Premiere Elements 8, the inexpensive yet powerful digital editing software, is used during this course. Skills learned can be applied to any video editing software. A comprehensive manual is included with this course.

Program Contents:

• Digital Video in Education: Background/Hardware/Software/Design

• Storyboarding and Filming Techniques

• Video Cameras

• Capturing Video and Audio

• Audio Enhancement

• New Premiere Elements 8 Basics and Features

• Creating a Video Using Story Boarding and Sequencing

• Creating and Adding Titles

• InstantMovie and Themes

• Transitions and Effects

• Green Screen and Chroma Keying

• Editing Clips

• New Audio Features, Effects, and Properties

• Adding Narration and Creating Royalty Free Music

• Designing and Burning to DVD

• Creating a Complete Digital Video Movie

Available for on-site training                 

Video Adventures: Advanced  NEW!      
 

Program Duration: 2 days

Audience: Any educator interested in using or instructing teachers and/or students in producing, developing, and implementing digital video in education. Educators with prior experience in video editing will benefit most from this program.

Program History: Introduced in 2010, this program was established to enhance educators’ knowledge about digital video technologies. This new “Advanced” version of the program uses Adobe Premiere Elements 8 to create and manipulate videos.

Program Description: This program is designed for any educator who wants to enhance their skills in digital video editing. This “Advanced” version of the program adds a more challenging curriculum which includes the Organizer, Advanced Automated Options, Motion Tracking, Advanced Effects, and Advanced themes and instant movies. Collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and lecture are combined to provide participants a well-rounded project based program. Participants will be supplied with video cameras, microphones and all needed computer equipment to design, create, edit and take home a completed digital video project. New Adobe Premiere Elements 8, the inexpensive yet powerful digital editing software, is used during this course. Skills learned can be applied to any video editing software. A comprehensive manual is included with this course.

Program Contents:

• Digital Video in Education: Background/Hardware/Software/Design

• Storyboarding and Filming Techniques

• Video Cameras

• Capturing Video and Audio

• Audio Enhancement

• New Premiere Elements 8 Basics and Features

• Creating a Video Using Story Boarding and Sequencing

• Creating and Adding Titles

• InstantMovie and Themes

• Advanced Transitions, Effects, and Preset Effects

• Green Screen and Chroma Keying

• Motion Effects and Editing Clips

• New Audio Features, Effects, and Properties

• Adding Narration and Creating Royalty Free Music

• Designing and Burning to DVD

• Exporting to Various Formats including AVI, Compressed, and YouTube

• Creating a Complete Digital Video Movie

Available for on-site training                                     

 Technology Specialist   UPDATED!      

Program Duration:  2 days

Audience:  Any educator (Teacher, Media Specialist, Technology Specialist, etc.) who is in charge of some type of technology support at his/her school or district site.

Program History:  Developed in 1994 as the first statewide program in Florida to address technology issues related to educators who provide technology support for their environment. Course material is continuously updated to keep-up with new technologies.

Program Description:  This comprehensive entry-level course provides the knowledge and skills needed to keep school computer systems operating smoothly. Lectures, discussions and hands-on activities focus on hardware, troubleshooting, computer maintenance, wired and wireless networking, building a computer, and much more. Free programs for multimedia presentations, collaboration, video communication, and locking down computers are part of hands-on activities that will help you stay up-to-date. Course fee includes a comprehensive manual.

Program Contents:

• Understanding Computer Hardware
• Troubleshooting in the School Environment (Hands-on Activity)
• Keeping the Technology Running Smoothly – Computer Maintenance
• Troubleshooting and Documentation
• Creating Unforgettable Multimedia Presentations
• Photo Story 3 for Windows (Hands-on Activity)
• Share Documents and Screen Views: Microsoft SharedView
• Manipulating SharedView (Hands-on Activity)
• Video Connection: Windows Live Messenger
• Manipulating Windows Live Messenger (Hands-on Activity)
• Networking in the School Environment
• Building a Network Cable (Hands-on Activity)
• Wireless Networks
• Setting-up and Manipulating a Wireless Network (Hands-on Activity)
• Building a Computer
• Building and Troubleshooting a Computer (Hands-on Activity)
• Locking Down Computers: Windows SteadyState
• Creating, Restricting, and Testing User Accounts: Windows SteadyState (Hands-on Activity)
• Effectively Using a Writing Tablet
• Effectively Using a Writing Tablet (Hands-on Activity)

Available for on-site training                              
 

Windows 7    NEW!     

Program Duration:  2 days

Audience:  This program is designed for any educator who wants to learn about the new Windows 7 operating system.

Program History:  Introduced in 2010, this class will allow users to get the most out of their Windows 7 computers. As new computers are introduced into schools across the United Sates, Windows 7 will continue to gain market share and become integrated into school networks.

Program Description: This program is geared towards improving the Windows 7 experience for users in the school environment. Hands-on activities, collaborative learning and lecture sessions will be used to present the course material. Participants will learn about and manipulate the product in five broad categories including: Windows 7 Fundamentals, Networking, Security, Graphics and Multimedia, Maintenance and Troubleshooting. Course fee includes a comprehensive manual.

Program Contents:

Windows 7 Fundamentals

Introduction to Windows 7
Evaluating Windows 7 for School Environments
The Windows 7 Environment
Customizing Windows 7
Working and Searching with Windows 7

Networking with Windows 7

Network Configuration
Wireless Networking
Viewing Network Resources
Sharing with Windows 7

Windows 7 Security

User Account Control
Adding/Deleting Users and Groups
Assigning Permissions
Locking Down Your Workstation Using Group Policies
Parental Controls
Adding and Removing Software

Graphics and Multimedia

Snipping Tool, Jump Lists, Manipulating and Printing Images
Windows Live Essentials
Windows Media Player
Remote Media Streaming

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Administrative Tools
Performance Monitor
Power Options
Backup and Restore
Task Scheduler
Keeping Windows 7 Updated

Windows Server 2003 with Group Policies            

Program Duration:  3 days

Audience:  Any educator who is considering or is in the process of implementing Windows Server 2003 with the security component of group policies in their school or district environment.

Program History:  Developed in 2008 to address the issues of how to implement Windows Server 2003 in an education environment and how to lock down client work stations using group policies. This program is a combination of AMF's Windows Server 2003 and Windows Security Tools programs. Save time and money by attending this fast paced combination course.

Program Description:  This course is designed for those who have implemented or in the process of implementing a Windows Server 2003 in the education environment. Windows systems have built-in security features and centralized administration that if used correctly, will prevent hackers and inexperienced users from destroying computer or network resources. Utilizing built-in security features such as Active Directory, Group Policies, and Mandatory Profiles can reduce time and money spent on troubleshooting and restoring corrupted computers. Participants will learn how to install, set-up, manipulate, and manage a Windows Server 2003. Course fee includes a comprehensive manual.

Program Contents:

• Securing a Windows Network Without Buying Third-party Software

• Windows Server 2003 Network Operating System Installation

• Active Directory Installation

• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

• Active Directory Benefits and Pitfalls

• Setting up Domain Name Systems (DNS)

• Setting up Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

• Implementing Shadow Copy

• Connecting Client Stations to a Windows Server 2003

• Creating, Manipulating, and Using an Active Directory Structure

• Applying and Administering Group Policies

• Adding Windows XP Administrative Templates to a Windows Server 2003

• Installing Microsoft Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

• Introduction and Overview of the GPMC

• Additional Functions of the GPMC

• Group Policy Hierarchy

• Creating a New Default Domain Policy

• Applying Group Policies: Control Panel Restrictions

• Applying Group Policies: Printer Restrictions

• Applying Group Policies: Allowed Applications

• Applying Group Policies: Restricted Applications

• Applying Group Policies: Prevent Access to the Command Prompt

• Applying Group Policies: Programs Run at Logon

• Applying Group Policies: Folder Redirection

• Assigning User Logon Scripts through Group Policies

• Applying Group Policies: Internet Explorer Restrictions

• Applying Group Policies: Desktop Restrictions

• Applying Group Policies: Kiosk Settings

• Applying Group Policies: Mobile Users

• Overview of User Profiles

• Mandatory User Profile

Windows Server 2008 R2 with Group Policies/Preferences  NEW!  

Program Duration:  2 days

Audience:  Any educator who is considering or is in the process of implementing Windows Server 2008 R2 with the enhanced security component of group policies/preferences in their school or district environment.

Program History:  Developed in 2010 to address the issues of how to implement Windows Server 2008 R2 in an education environment and how to lock down client work stations using group policies/preferences.

Program Description:  This course is designed for those who have implemented or in the process of implementing a Windows Server 2008 R2 in the education environment. Windows systems have built-in security features and centralized administration that if used correctly, will prevent hackers and inexperienced users from destroying computer or network resources. Utilizing built-in security features such as Active Directory, Group Policies, and Group Policy Preferences can reduce time and money spent on troubleshooting and restoring corrupted computers. Participants will learn how to set-up, manipulate, and manage a Windows Server 2008 R2. Course fee includes a comprehensive manual. Each participant will administer a Windows 2008 R2 server and a Windows 7 Client Workstation.

Program Contents:

• Windows Server 2008 R2 Overview and New Features
• Securing a Windows Network Without Buying Third-party Software
• Active Directory Installation
• Active Directory Benefits
• Setting up Domain Name Systems (DNS)
• Setting up Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• Implementing Shadow Copy
• Connecting Client Stations to a Windows Server 2008 R2
• Using an Active Directory Structure
• Applying and Administering Group Policies
• Applying and Administering Group Policy Preferences
• Group Policy Hierarchy
• Creating a New Default Domain Policy
• Combining Group Policies and Preferences to Manage and Secure Client Computers

Available for on-site training                                     

Educators Resource Center:
As an educator, you are invited to visit NASA's Educators Resource Center, also located in The Center for Space Education. You will receive a packet of NASA printed material and have the opportunity to copy a variety of audio visual and printed materials on to your own blank media.

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation:
If you have any questions about our classes, contact us by phone at 321-452-2887 extension 13 , or via e-mail at cann@amfcse.org

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