Ed Tech Blog
If there is anything that lights up the faces of children and adults alike, it is robots. Little electronics that move and perform various functions make everyone curious. If you are an educator yourself, you might be wondering how you can take advantage of the excitement that your students have for robots. Using robots in the classroom is one of the easiest ways to integrate the 4 Cs of learning, which are collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. In this post, we will go through how a robot can take your classroom learning to the next level, what types of robots to consider, how to use robots in the classroom efficiently, and what are some concepts that can be taught with the help of a robot.
There is a specific niche of robots called educational robots. These are the robots that an educator should be interested in if they want to properly introduce their students to the world of robotics. Some of these educational robots need to be assembled, some can help students understand a concept, and most of them are programmable. This means that students will learn fundamental engineering designs and programming skills from a young age.
Many concepts in STEM subjects are very difficult to understand when it is written down in a textbook. Robots will make the jobs of STEM teachers much easier because they will be able to demonstrate the concepts visually. On top of that, when the students get to play with the robots and see how the concepts handle change, they will be able to deeply understand the topic at hand.
Since the students get to play with robots with their hands and interact with the concepts as though it is real, this improves their critical thinking. Coding the robots, disassembling and reassembling them,
As educational technology advances, there are an increasing number of educational tools that are useful to help make learning interactive for students in the classroom. This tool has a significant number of uses that can turn any lesson into an interactive experience for students in any subject.
Flipgrid is a web-based program, which can be accessed in a wide array of settings, for in-person, hybrid, or remote learning, and can be accessed on any device that the student has access to. The program is easy to use for all teachers, simply create a free account with a google or Microsoft account, and connect to your students with a simple code or link.
The Functions of Flipgrid
This very diverse tool is focused primarily on the use of videos that make student interaction with the content more engaging. The teacher is also able to create groups for classes where students join through a code. This allows the teacher to better view student progress as students complete assignments in this online program.
Students can view a video and then respond to a question in the program about the lesson or the topic that the video was about. As the lesson...
Read more: Flipgrid: A Useful Tool for Interactive and Collaborative Education
If you ever wanted your students to speak up more, or if you have ever felt like a few students dominated all classroom discussions, then Parlay might change your classroom for the better. Parlay is an online class discussion tool that assists teachers to create classroom discussions. Classrooms that have used Parlay have reported an 85% increase in participation. This post will go through everything you need to know about Parlay, from why it is beneficial for the classroom, to an overview of the steps you need to follow to start the discussions.
What’s the big deal with discussion forums in the classroom anyway? When you bring discussions into the classroom, you will more than double a student’s achievement, and teach the students about analytical reasoning and communication. But there is one thing to point out, these benefits are limited to the students who actively participate. A discussion forum in the classroom provides a unique way for every student to participate in discussing a particular topic.
Parlay is a discussion forum for the classroom that provides all the advantages that a traditional discussion can have for the classroom. Parlay has reported that students feel more comfortable participating, and communicating, as well as feeling more respected by their peers.
Read more: Parlay: A Place where Students have Meaningful Discussions
Can students reach their full potential and thrive in their studies if they struggle with maintaining their well-being?
Research has shown time and time again that student well-being is linked with academic success. While well-being can refer to cognitive, psychological, physical, and social wellness, a disruption in one aspect is likely to lead to some emotional distress.
So, how can we help students lead healthy lives to maximize their academic potential?
Some research and academic institutions develop technologies and programs to help students and employees improve their mental and physical fitness. One example is the BioDash program designed by the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne to help improve focus, reduce anxiety, and optimize performance.
With anxiety and depression rates going up during and after the pandemic, we should start shifting how we approach overall wellbeing in our communities. And that includes our students.
As we move into the post-pandemic era, engaging students in conversations about mental health can create safe stigma-free spaces where discussions on wellbeing are normalized. While students may be reluctant to open up about their struggles, starting a meaningful conversation may make things easier.
As educators, we may still need guidance and lack...
In a world that had been dominated by technology, it is only natural that these tools are used throughout the classroom to promote technical ability in students all while increasing engagement. It is no secret that the influx of new technology has been overwhelming, causing attention issues and limiting engagement with traditional classroom teaching methods.
Gamification is a key buzzword in both education and corporations as people work to ensure that they are getting the most out of every interaction with the audiences in front of them. This became particularly important when virtual training, classes, and distance learning took the world by storm.
Kahoot is an online platform that can be used in a variety of settings, one of the most popular being the K-12 education classroom. Some teachers use the tools outlined in Kahoot to practice skills, prepare for, and take assessments, or even as a tool to help wrangle students who cannot seem to get out the wiggles.
What is Kahoot?
With the uncertainty and flexibility that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sudden and significant shift in the methods of teaching and interaction that was able to happen between a teacher and their students.
Read more: Kahoot: Creating Fun and Encouraging Engagement of Learners
Creativity continues to be a sought-after skill in high school graduates. Post-secondary educators and employers recognize the need for this next generation to be content creators who can design original, eye-catching art and text to represent the brand, company, or institution. Truly, creating is no longer just for the art major; it’s beneficial for all students to have experience in creating digital art as part of their repertoire. When students have digital art in their portfolio, it showcases them as versatile and flexible.
Although some teachers may view digital art as intimidating, it’s important to consider how this art form can break down the barriers for those students who don’t see themselves as artists capable of working with a traditional medium. Digital drawing tools today are intuitive, easy to use, and may be more approachable to digital natives than a medium like canvas and charcoal. Additionally, with so many apps to choose from (check out this list of student-friendly 12 digital art apps), teachers can select apps that meet the appropriate ability and skill level of the class.
Educators seeking to blend digital art into their curriculum should gain some familiarity with digital art tools as a starting point. With...
Read more: Cultivating Creativity by Incorporating Digital Art Into The Classroom