Tag Archives: engineering

What’s new on Teaching Technologies

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Tuesday was Safer Internet Day, so this week has been a busy one for me working with pupils of all stages reminding them of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.  The pupils were great, and the majority had a really good understanding of the issues around using images online, but we mustn’t be complacent.  It’s a message that needs regular reinforcing to be sure our children make good choices every time they are online.

Having a profile picture that helps people identify you (especially on Glow) can be really useful.  But if you don’t like displaying pictures of yourself online then perhaps an avatar would be a good alternative?  Avatars can be particularly useful for pupils – not only do they have fun creating them, but it is also a good way of managing their online profile safely.  I’ve added a couple of links to sites which will allow you to produce an avatar for free in the Drawing page.

If you are looking for inspiration for your next technology project, then you might want to think about entering the K’nex Challenge.  You’ll find a link with details on the Craft, Design, Engineering & Graphics page.

Have you considered registering for the Digital Schools Award?  If you would like to know more about it, there is now a link on the General Support & Reference page or you can watch a quick video introduction here.

Finally, this week I have been trying to add ratings to each of the resources.  I hope that over time you will be able identify the resources worth trying based on the experiences of other teachers.  There is still a little fine tuning to do, but please give it a go and let me know what you think of it.

Enjoy Teaching Technologies!

Carol

 

 

 

What’s new on Teaching Technologies

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Another busy week with lots of new content on the site …

As you are probably aware, Education Scotland have had a major revamp of their website.  The old STEM Central website has now been incorporated into the National Improvement Hub, and I’ve added a link to the relevant page in Craft, Design, Engineering & Graphics.  It’s worth having a look at.  There are some very good downloadable teaching resources which include fully planned Learning Journeys as well as support resources and teacher information.  In addition there are inspirational video to encourage pupils to follow careers in STEM industries, and videos to support STEM topics.

I was introduced to a new resource this week by a P5 pupil.  He had this great circuit building kit consisting of snap together elements.  You may already be familiar with this, but it was a new one on me, and struck me as a great way to overcome the problem of fiddly wires and tiny screws or springs which end up frustrating pupils and teachers alike.  Circuits probably fall more into the Sciences but I’ve added it to the Craft, Design, Engineering & Graphics page as I can see it potential for design and engineering projects.

While browsing for suppliers of snap circuits, I discovered some alternative programmable micro boards which I’ve added to the Programmable Devices page.  I particularly like the look of the Crumble which can be easily programmed using block coding.  Another device aimed at the beginner is Code Bug which also uses block coding – plus it’s shaped like a little green bug …. a lot less scary than Arduino!

With Safer Internet Day next week, I’ve been looking at resources on netiquette (aka how-to-mind-your manners-online).  Social media often gets a bad press, but its misuse is down to the people who use it rather than the media itself.  I’ve added some articles to the Social Networking & Websites page which you might find helpful in teaching your pupils to be positive cyber citizens.

online-safety-liveOn the topic of online safety, have you heard about the Online Safety Live event being held in Dumfries in March?  The UK Safer Internet Centre are delivering a FREE 2 hour Online Safety update on Thursday 9 March at 3 pm, at Cargen Towers, Garroch Loaning. Open to all who work with children and young people, this event will give you the latest in research, legislation, technology, tools and resources along with exclusive access to the presentation and resource materials.

Recently, I’ve been having a look at the App Library within the Glow Launch Pad and discovered some interesting resources.  There are app tiles available for:  Scotland’s Enterprising Schools; RM v-Me Avatar Creator; 360° Safe; and How Stuff Works – all of which could be helpful in delivering Technologies in your classroom or school.  I’ve added links to the appropriate pages on the site, but you can also add them to your personal launch pad if you thing you might use them a lot.  (If you’re not sure how to do this, check out my video demo on the Teaching Technologies Video Channel)

With content on how to be more efficient with your internet searches added to the Search & Research page, you’ll now find something on all the pages.  Please use the comments boxes or contact form to share your feedback and add to the knowledge base.

Enjoy Teaching Technologies!

Carol

What’s new on Teaching Technologies

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This week I’ve been looking for ways to make the site easier to work with and to help you find the resources you need quickly.  I’ve therefore added icons beside the title of each resource to indicate which level it is best suited to.  They’re pretty self explanatory, but just to let you know what they look like …

e-39506_640  is for Early,  number-39114_640 for First,  two-39115_640 for Second, and  three-39116_640 for Third.  Finally letter-39873_640-2 indicates a resource which is more relevant to teachers than pupils.

Of course these are just for guidance and a lot will depend on the experience and ability of your class, and the amount of support available to the pupils, but I hope they’ll give you a ‘starter for ten’.  Please let me know which levels you’re using any of these resources at, and especially if you’ve had success at a different level to those I’ve suggested.

Everyone likes a free resource, and this week I discovered the James Dyson Foundation website (which you can link to via the  Craft, Design, Engineering & Graphics page).  They will loan an Ideas Box or Engineering Box to schools for 6 and 4 weeks respectively.  They are completely free and the Foundation even arrange delivery and collection.  In addition to the boxes they also have some very good downloadable Quick Challenge cards.

This week I also visited the P6 class at Noblehill Primary.  They were a fantastic and enthusiastic group of young people and I really enjoyed doing some ‘unplugged’ activities from code.org with them.  But what really made my day was the young lad who had created the most fabulous stop motion animation on his smart phone.  He used Lego to create scenery and Star Wars Lego figures as the characters.  He even recorded and added his own sound effects and music.  It was absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to have a go myself.  He used the app Stop Motion Studio downloadable from Google Play (I think it is also available for iPhones).  I’ve posted a link on the Animation page if you want to try it for yourself.

Enjoy teaching technologies!

Carol