The idea of digital integration is one that we get asked about a lot! Many teachers are unsure just how they could bring coding, robotics, digital activities or technology in general into their programmes without making it a stand-alone ‘something else’ they have to find time in their day to fit in. This blog will give you three easy ways to get started.
Integrating STEAM and robotics in the classroom can be expensive. Thankfully there are many low-cost options such as the BBC micro:bit which, with a little resourcefulness and tinkering can be a great tool to get started with. If you are new to the micro:bit be sure to check out this great overview. One issue with
This review is about Makeblocks new addition to their robotics lineup, the ‘Codey Rocky’, which the team at Makeblock have been kind enough to give me an advance trial of.
Have you been engaging your students with STEM or STEAM projects and experiences but wondering how you can better focus the learning? Here are two simple ways you can maximise the learning outcomes for your students and they both begin at the planning phase.
The STEAM learning approach can look incredibly different from school to school. Here are some different approaches that we see in schools, and some positives and negatives about each approach.
Which low cost STEAM tools should we buy for our school in 2018?” I’ve got some thoughts about that, plus two tools I highly recommend.
For most teachers and educational leaders, the STEAM acronym conjures images of robots, computers and scientific equipment. There’s no doubt that these tools can often be found in a classroom engaged in STEAM learning. But it can be far too easy to be blinded by the ‘whats’ and ‘hows’, without considering your vision or ‘why.’ Here are 3 reasons why you should consider YOUR ‘why’ of STEAM before you think about anything else.
Don’t want to ready the whole article? Here’s a quick summary:
Your ‘why’ will drive your ‘whats’ and ‘how’s.’
Your purpose indicates your values and beliefs and this is what people are drawn to.
Your vision helps people see through the pain of change.
STEM and STEAM would be one of the biggest buzz words going around education at the moment. But there are also lots of misconceptions about what it is and how to implement it effectively. Here is a list of the 5 most commonly held myths I often hear about STEAM Learning.
When I was starting one of our STEAM workshops a few months back, I asked the teachers for any specific questions they had before we started. I always try to be honest when I don’t know the answer, and say “I actually don’t know about that one.” One of the teachers asked a question which received that answer. They asked “What does the E in STEAM actually look like in practice?”
STEM education is a growing approach in schools everywhere at the moment and this is leading to lots of teachers using a wide variety of technologies in their programmes. One of my favourite robotics tools to use with STEM are the Sphere SPRK+ robots – the small ‘see through’ balls that look a lot like BB8, the Star Wars character from “Rogue One”, the latest movie to be released.
