VideoSmarts: The Interactive Video Learning System
This page contains information and research pertaining to VideoSmarts. I owned the VideoSmarts computer and many Lesson tapes and have fond memories of enjoying the system when I was very young. As a tribute to the early fusion of education and technology, here is the story of VideoSmarts.
If you or someone you know was involved in the production of the VideoSmarts computer or the Lesson tapes, I would like to set up an interview. Please contact me through E-Mail.
About VideoSmarts
- VideoSmarts was created by the Connor Toy Corporation, a subsidiary of Connor Forest Industries, Inc. in Wausau, Wisconsin.
- The VideoSmarts computer and video series was directed at children from Preschool to Second Grade. The VideoSmarts computer was approved for kids ages 3 and up.
- The video tapes are copyrighted from the years 1986 to 1990 by Connor Electronics.
- Each video was 30 to 40 minutes long.
- Connor Electronics advertised VideoSmarts as turning "ordinary TV into smart TV."
- The VideoSmarts computer requires 4 "C" batteries.
- The VideoSmarts computer sold for $40 to $50 and additional tapes sold for $13 to $18, depending on the store.
- The VideoSmarts computer had four large square buttons. The button in the upper-left corner was yellow and was labeled "1," "A," and "True." The button in the upper-right corner was blue and was labeled "2," "B," and "False." The button in the lower-left corner was green and labeled "3," "C," and "Yes." The button in the lower-right corner was red and labeled "4", "D," and "No."
- Connor Toy Corporation released the VideoPhone from VideoSmarts. It looks similarly to the VideoSmarts computer with the addition of a play corded phone. It included the Lesson Tape "Numbers 1-5/Comparisons." It works with all VideoSmarts tapes.
Characters/Puppet Guides
Teachin’ Teddy Roger the Parrot Penelope the Goldfish
Video Tapes
Reading Readiness Program Letters A-Z Capital and Small Letters Letter Sounds Vowel Letter Sounds (Vowel Sounds) Letter Blends Letter Quiz
Arithmetic Readiness Program Numbers 1-5/Comparisons Numbers 1-20/Comparisons Arithmetic Signs and Addition of Single Digit Numerals
Upper & Lower Case Letters Sentence Building Tens and Ones Subtraction/Small Change Number Quiz Colors and Shapes All About Me - the five senses Nutrition, Health & Safety - food groups, strangers, fire, respect Just Say No - drugs, alcohol and cigarettes
Credits
Connor Toy Corporation
"VideoSmarts"
Produced by
Kinetics Group Ltd./Chicago
Executive Producer
George Eastman
Producer
Jim Cullen
Director
Joe Calomino
Puppet Director/Design
Don Hoeg
Educational Advisory Panel
Clyde C. Slicker Ed. D.
Blanche Desjean M. Ed.
Paula Simone M. Ed.
Harry Haroutuni M. D.
Scriptwriters
Paul Max Rubenstein
John Simone
Voice Talent
Preston Becker
Marie Kirk-Burke
Beverly Feldt
Music and Lyric Composer
Stephen Lemberg
Music Arranged and Recorded by
Tullio and Rans
Two Music Guys/Chicago
Original Sound Effects
Chris Cameron
Design Consultant
Bob Salmon
Art Director
Denise Wallner
Production Manager
Ernie Martin
Illustrator
Patty O’Connor
Animators
Michael Glascott
Diane Goodrich
Jeff Siergey
Jim Siergey
Inkers/Opaquers
Paul Dilillo
John Houseman
Susan Kubinski
Dava Kuhlman
Helene Savill
Franklin Stevenson
Jade Stolarz
Animation Camera
Ron Fleischer
Assistant Camera
Chris Blake
Stan Hughes
Larry Ligas
Ken Lockwood
Key Grip
Chuck Kite
Puppet Construction
Richard Rush Studios, Chicago
Gene Ruberts
Bill Whiteside
Muneyoshi Yamakuchi
Puppet Body
Larry Dixon
Pupppeteers
Lynn Jordan
Michele Stevens
Rex Webb
Video Stage
Cinema Video Center/Chicago
Steve Biddle
Lamar Bloodworth
Jim Gaynor
John Senese
Recording Studio
Tone Recording
Mike Minuskin
Post Production
The Chicago Post
Jon Fistler
Tracy Wilson
Film-To-Tape Transfer/Video Finishing
Editel/Chicago
Larry Logman
Bob Mansfield
Janet McDermott
Jay Melchi
Mike Opager
Neal Oswald
Larry Sexton
Sounds and Music
Opening Song #1
Kids, get ready. I’m Teachin’ Teddy and we’re gonna have some fun.
Once you start your VideoSmarts, you’re sure to learn a ton.
We’ll learn some names [and] play some games, travel here and there.
When our visit ends, you’ll be best friends with the teaching teddy bear.
Closing Song #1
You get a bright start with VideoSmart
down the road to learning.
You get the right start with VideoSmart
and I know we’ll enjoy the journey
because learning is fun for everyone
and the big surprise is we’ll never be done
because the more we learn, the more we’re gonna want to learn
and learn and learn and learn.
The more we learn, the more we’re gonna want to learn.
The more we know, the more we’re gonna want to know.
The more we grow, the more we’re gonna want to grow
and learn and know and learn and grow. So
you get a bright start with VideoSmart
down the road to learning.
You get the right start with VideoSmart
and I know we’ll enjoy the journey
because learning is fun for everyone
and the big surprise is we’ll never be done
because the more we learn the more we’re gonna want to learn
and learn and learn and learn and learn and learn and learn and learn!
Closing Song #2
Our world is filled with such wonderful things.
The more that we learn, the more our hearts sing,
and who knows just what tomorrow will bring,
that’s why it’s such fun to learn.
There’s always one more thing to learn.
There’s always one more thing to learn.
And just when we think all our questions are answered,
there’s always one more thing to learn.
Never stop growing; now you’ve begun.
Never stop trying ‘til each game is done.
Always remember what I have to say.
There’s always one more thing to learn.
There’s always one more thing to learn.
Oh, there’s always one more thing to learn.
Always remember what I have to say.
Learn for tomorrow, today!