Task 1
Hey Teagan,
Thank you for the insightful explanation about 3D printing! I really enjoyed reading this piece and learning how 3D printing could be implemented creatively within a classroom. The use of the study helped verify the point you were trying to make about the educational benefits 3D printing has towards creativity and innovation. Other than maths and science how could you use 3D printing, throughout the classroom? I appreciate the fact that you have both highlighted the positives and negatives about the use of 3D printing, so that the reader can outweigh both sides when making a decision to implement it throughout their classroom.
Kind regards,
Abeer
Task 1
Hey Sarah,
I currently work in a company that teaches students about robots and how to use and build them. The interest students have in robotics is phenomenal. The launch of robotics throughout schools has been such a great way to introduce and engage kids at a young age about mechanisms and the different types of technology that they may not be exposed to at home, all while they are learning and meeting syllabus requirements. I entirely agree with the point you made about programs such as beebots and Lego NXT, not fostering creatively because all the students are required to do is to program the robot to follow a path and not create a new system. In saying this, unfortunately some schools focus too much on programs such as robotics although its a small part of the curriculum and leave other key elements of the syllabus out. To be able to successfully implement programs as these throughout the class there needs to be a balance between robotics and other science and technology sub strands, which sometimes is not met.
Keep up the great work,
Abeer Awwad
Week 3
Week 3: Enhancing Design Thinking with SketchUp
Hey Cindy,
Your writing is very clear and coherent, and this was very interesting to read! Your explanations and diagrams clearly illustrated your understanding towards enhancing design thinking with the program SketchUp. Integrating the program throughout the classroom will definitely enhance students learning and understanding. Other than the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) based subjects, how else could SketchUp be integrated throughout a class? Using different types of softwares in a class allows students to experiment, which helps evolve their initial designs further to foster a better understanding, which is a very good idea. Overall well done!
Regards,
Abeer 🙂
Week 4
Computational Thinking; Blockly & micro:bit
Hey Ashleigh,
It’s great to see that you have implemented real world processes that are associated with computational thinking. It is true in the changing world that we live in, it is vital that students know how to think critically and creatively. What stages would you implement micro:bit and blockly programs in and how could you link it to other key learning areas?
Thank you and all the best in the semester,
Abeer
Week 5
Codey Rocky and Inspiration for Robotics in the Curriculum
Hey Teagan,
Robotics is very beneficial in the classroom as it can encourage group work and development of key skills required in 21st century learning. As a teacher coding can be very difficult, especially to those that have not taken units like this one (EDUC362), and considering you had technical difficulties with it, most other teachers will. Incorporating the fact that teachers will need training in using this device, schools would need to incorporate the costs and level out on whether this is affordable and sustainable to implement. Also what stage would you implement this in and other than STEM subjects what particular subjects would you link it to?
Thank you,
Abeer
Please note: I have written down another comment for Teagan, as no blog that i have looked through is up to date and i had to do her twice.
Week 5
Hey Shirley,
Really great use of references, that are valid and straight to the point about the benefits of robotics in the classroom. Jimu, seems to be a very cool and interactive robot to introduce in the classroom. Throughout the blog, you mentioned that Jimu can be used across many types of KLAs, what type of KLAs were you referring to? How would you specifically implement Jimu in a class and to what stage would you introduce it to? By using Jimu, students will be able to work in groups and cooperate, to program the robot to do specific things. Overall well done, Jimu seems to be an awesome device to implement in a class and I’m sure students will love it!
Thank you,
Abeer
Week 6
Week 6: ‘AR’e You Ready for Augmented Reality?
Hey Cindy,
Your blog was very insightful and deeply explained the application SkyView and how it could be used in a class. Considering the limitations that you mentioned about this app, what is another app that you would implement throughout your classroom to engage students learning in regards to the use of Augmented Reality? Throughout the blog you mentioned that this app can be used for younger students. What stage are these younger students in and how would you conduct these activities?
Well done and all the best,
Abeer
Week 7
Hey Evie,
The piece you have provided about virtual reality, is very detailed and incorporates many ways it can be introduced into a classroom. I had a chance at trying the Oculus Go throughout the tutorial and it was unique compared to any piece of technology they had when i was in school. However, this device could be difficult to implement in a school due to the costs associated with it. Also how would you specifically implement Oculus throughout a lesson, to meet syllabus outcomes and requirements?
All the best!
Abeer
Week 11
|Week 11| Games & Learning
Hey Shirley,
Your blog has been very informative to me. You have displayed your passion for video games in the classroom and stated the beneficial outcomes of incorporating it. The statistics provided throughout your blog provide an insightful understanding on how much video games are played at home and how many students know how to play them. The negative outcomes of video games highlighted by Squire (2003), are definitely outcomes that educators fear when introducing video games in the classroom and are always aimed to be avoided.
Thank you and Good Luck,
Abeer
Week 12
Hi Davina,
What an awesome stop motion video! I think stop motion videos are the best to teach students about all concepts across the curriculum. They can be easily taught and students can have a choice to be creative and engage in a deep understanding about topics when creating their videos. It is one of the best ways for students to be creative, much better than structured technologies like littleBits and LEGO wedo2.0.
Stop motion videos are easy to teach students and can be a convenient tool to be used when teaching students about life cycles and presentations without limiting creativity.
Good Luck!
Abeer
Digital Creativity and Learning 