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Network Version of Building Homes of Our Own Now Available
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Free copies of the new network version of Building Homes of Our Own are available to teachers, public libraries and builders. |
Network Version 2.0 of the innovative home building program, Building Homes of Our Own, is now available. The teaching software, already reaching more than 2.5 million students and educators nationwide, allows middle and high school students to experience each step of the home building process. One free copy is available to teachers serving 100 or more students, to public libraries upon request and to builders.
The new network version permits users to save unlimited sessions to a network drive, allowing greater flexibility in the school network environment. Pre-released to educators last month, nearly 2,500 teachers already have requested Version 2.0 for their classrooms.
“NAHB and the National Housing Endowment are committed to providing this leading edge technology to our schools and giving kids a chance to learn more about how their homes are built,” said Gary Garczynski, chairman of the National Housing Endowment, NAHB’s philanthropic arm and a major funder of the program.
“The demand from teachers for this new version propelled NAHB to expand on a wildly successful existing program — and we’ve already got several entire school districts that want to use Building Homes of Our Own. We couldn’t ask for better validation than that,” added Garczynski, who championed the program’s development while NAHB president in 2002.
From selecting a location and obtaining permits, through construction and material selection, to reviewing credit histories of potential buyers, Building Homes of Our Own uses interactive game technology to teach students the basics of homeownership as well as math, science, civics, language arts, technology and personal financial responsibility.
Building Homes of Our Own challenges students to work within a budget and schedule to design and build a home through three levels of play and four building sites, including urban, suburban, rivers and lakes and coastline settings. Myriad real-life complications and issues await students, testing their skills, patience and ingenuity. Conducting research, attending virtual town meetings and working with specialists are just a few of the ways students can confront and resolve problems they face during the building process.
The CD-ROM, which includes a comprehensive printable lesson plan guide, is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is free to classroom educators and members of home builder associations affiliated with NAHB through the Building Homes of Our Own Web site: www.HomesofOurOwn.org.
Building Homes of Our Own is part of NAHB’s ongoing education outreach effort and was created to meet the demand for quality classroom teaching materials and the government directive compelling teachers to use more interactive technology in schools.
A panel of educators and home building industry experts was consulted in the development of Building Homes of Our Own, which aligns with middle school national learning standards. The program was developed with support from the National Housing Endowment and Freddie Mac. Network Version 2.0 was made possible with funding from the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.
To order, visit the Building Homes of Our Own Web site.
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