To receive copies of the book, or for more information, contact:

Diane Kendall
dkendall@childsoftpress.com
713-467-8686

New Book Gives College Bound Students Key Tips for Technology Use

'It's 3 A.M. of an "all nighter," working on a paper due first thing in the morning. It's time to sit back and click the Print button. Beep-Oh no! Another error message-"Black cartridge out of ink." Wouldn't you know it! You forgot to buy that spare, and your sleeping roommate's printer isn't working either. Now what?'

Houston, TX, (July 12, 2002) -- It's sticky situations like this-as well as other conundrums of coping with technology at college-that led authors Diane Kendall and Dr. Merle Marsh to survey recent alumni (now current college students) of The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, and the Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, Maryland, to find out just how students make technology choices and how they deal with technical difficulties when they arise.

The result of this survey, with additional insights from college faculty and IT staff, is a new 40-page book entitled "Wish I'd Known That-Tips for Taking Technology to College" being published by Children's Software Press. The book, priced at $10.95, is packed with Q and A style commentary on everything from figuring out what hardware and software to take to campus to Troubleshooting Tips 101. It even includes hints on how technology can help students get better grades. Written in an empathetic (i.e. yes, technology has sometimes been rough on us too) style, the text features numerous quotes from students and "techno-savvy" observers. Boxed features sport "Universal Truths of College Computing" and quick tips, such as remembering to bring headphones to the library and your dorm room-cited by many as the #1 purchase that can salvage a roommate relationship. There's even advice on how to get the most out of a troubleshooting call to technical support - one of those life experiences that most college freshmen have not yet had the exquisite pleasure of enduring.

The bright, colorful cover of the book-easy to find in a late night emergency-features two double-sided perforated panels full of quick wisdom for keeping close to the computer. One panel includes a template for Necessary Names and Numbers, such as computer specifications, hardware and software serial numbers, and web addresses and phone numbers of helpful tech people and sites. The back cover of the book features a Technology Packing List with 27 necessary or optional items to take to campus. Everything in "Wish I'd Known That-Tips for Taking Technology to College" is aimed at helping college-bound students feel informed about their technology choices and supporting them when some of those choices go a bit awry.

The authors, Diane Kendall and Dr. Merle Marsh, have been writing about technology in schools for more than twenty years. Ms. Kendall is the Editor of Children's Software Press, a Houston-based publisher of technology materials for parents, teachers and students. She is also a former instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a co-author of "Kids, Computers and Homework" (Random House, 1995). It was her daughter, a college-bound freshman, who inspired her to write this book. Dr. Merle Marsh is a school administrator at the Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, Maryland. Over the years, Dr. Marsh has written for Apple, Microsoft, the Smithsonian Institute, and numerous publications on technology. The author of "Everything You Need to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask Kids) About the Information Highway" (Computer Learning Foundation), she is a frequent speaker on education and the Internet. Ms. Kendall and Dr. Marsh also have a column for students featuring tips for doing homework projects using a computer, which will appear on Cablevision's Power to Learn site starting in the fall of 2002.

About Children's Software Press
Children's Software Press (CSP), based in Houston, Texas, was formed in 1992. For ten years it published a software review newsletter, but is now focusing its efforts on publishing a popular Booklet Series started in 1997. Inexpensively priced for workshops, family technology nights at schools, and classroom use, this series currently includes 14 titles, with more on the way. Among the topics in the series are: A Student Guide to Citing Electronic Sources, Writing a Paperless Paper, and Book Reports-I Did It On the Computer. CSP also has a feature article every week on the Power To Learn website (www.powertolearn.com).

Copies of "Wish I'd Known That-Tips for Taking Technology to College" are available from Children's Software Press (www.childsoftpress.com) at 713-467-8686 or Amazon. Discounts for multiple copies are available on the CSP site. Shipping and handling for a single issue is $2.50.