In her article, "S'Cool Tools," Maureen Brown Yoder shares her research and recommendations on five new learning tools for the classroom. All of the tools she suggests meet the following criteria: they enhance teaching, they are easy to learn and well supported, and they are new or improved.
Of the five tools Yoder recommends, my favorite is the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set. I like that it has a broad age appeal. Elementary to middle school students can use this hands on manipulative in different ways as a learning tool for mechanics and movement. It also integrates the physical and virtual worlds by allowing students to create their own on-screen animations and stories with WeDo software. Students can then share their models and stories with children in other countries. The kit was developed by MIT Media Lab and costs about $300.
In an elementary school classroom, I would use the WeDo Robotics Constuction Set to help students learn about problem solving, team work (at $300/set students would work in small groups), and basic principles of physics. Then, I would encourage them to be creative in constucting their own on-screen animations and writing about their animations.
The WeDo Robotics Construction Set fulfills several ISTE NETS Standards, including: NETS Standard 1 creativity and innovation (students create an original work as a means group expression); NETS Standard 2 communication and collaboration (studets interact and collaborate in a digital environment and contribute to a team to produce an original work); and NETS Standard 4 problem solving (students plan activities to develop complete a project).
In addition to the Lego learning tool, Yoder reviews Smart Table, AVer Pen, MUVEs, and Google Apps Education Community. However, my favorite learning tool was the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set because legos are a popular hand-on learning tool for kids of all ages. Integrating Lego construction with motion and virtual learning is an outstanding way to introduce kids to mechanics, motion, collaboration and creativity while having fun.
Yoder, M.B. (2009). S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students. Learning and Leading with Technology (37)3. Advanced Online Publication. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm? Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24614&DirectListComboInd=D
I agree with you that the legos would be a great learning tool. Kids love playing with legos and to have lego construction be a part of virtual learning would grasp their attention. There is a lego building game online similar and where I work the kids love it. It would be a great way to introduce kids to mechanics and motion while still having a great time.
ReplyDeleteHey Julie!
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds like such a fun and interactive tool that students are being introduced to. Over the summer, I worked with kids who got to play with the "Bionicles" at Legoland, which was actually hands on work. The WeDo Robotics set seems even more interesting, due to the fact that the students use on-screen animation to construct their robots. It gives them a chance to be creative while working with technology. Thanks for giving some of your own input about this new learning tool.
Hi, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI had Legos when I was a kid and spent hours building things with them. By the time I reached junior high and highschool, those toys didn't see the light of day. I bet if Lego's had the WeDoRobotics, I would've been playing with them all through college! Using the virtual learning aspect adds a whole new dimension to the building, as well as getting to know other "builders" in foreign lands. At $300 a pop, though, I wonder how many one could have in a classroom. Oh, well, I could write a grant!