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The Master Key Project Presents
Tech Talk
Top 5 Technology Must Have for Expanded Learning Programs
Overview
Arguably the most fun that we have in our office at GrowthPoint is on delivery day. What I mean by that is we genuinely enjoy testing out new technology in our office and finding opportunities for said technology to implement in the classroom to enhance student learning. Which is why we put together this top 5 list for our fellow educators in the regular day school and expanded learning programs.
TOP 5
5. 3D Printer
QS: Active and Engaged Learning, Skill Building, Youth Voice Leadership
Students learn fundamentals of 3D modeling using TinkerCAD. Students will also learn to print their 3D modeling using provided 3D Printers. When this class is paired together with Underwater Robotics, students are assembled in teams to design 3D printed parts for their underwater robots.
4. Oculus Quest 2
QS: Active and Engaged Learning
Space has always been one of major factors in determining the activities that you can and cannot do with your students. Also along with other things like physics, reality, gravity, etc...
Oculus Quest 2 offers a variety of applications that you can use to enhance student's learning in a variety of STEM fields. Imagine if they can learn about Mars while walking on the surface of Mars in Virtual Reality.
3. LEGO SPIKE PRIME
QS: Active and Engaged Learning, Skill Building
SPIKE Prime helps students learn the essential STEAM and 21st century skills needed to become the innovative minds of tomorrow. SPIKE Prime engages students through challenging learning activities to think critically and solve complex problems, regardless of their learning levels.
2. Laptop/Chromebook
One of the things that the pandemic shined a light on in our society is the issue of equity and access to technology for our students. Which is why this one made it so high up the list, but not quite the number 1 spot. Laptops and/or Chromebook can often be regarded as the gateway for students to access 21st century learning opportunities. Whether is robotics, virtual reality learning, or just completing an assignment.
If your price range is $200 - $350
The ASUS Vivobook 15.6" Laptop offers 10th Generation Intel i3 Processor along with 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of PCIE SSD. Overall best valued laptop, beating out Chromebooks that are similar in specs in price by $200.
If your price range is $350 - $500
The ASUS Vivobook 15.6" Laptop offers 10th Generation Intel i3 Processor along with 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of PCIE SSD. Overall best valued laptop, beating out Chromebooks that are similar in specs in price by $200.
Specs to Look Out For:
CPU: Intel i3, i5, i7, or AMD Ryzen 3, 5 or 7
RAM: 8 GB Recommended (4 GB minimum)
STORAGE: 256 GB SSD or above
1. Game-Based Learning
via Game Design Process
From our experience working in expanded learning programs and having launched a successful educational game for students. We found that there is one thing that students love more than video games. It is the ability to make the video games. There in lies the opportunity for educators like us (who are also technology nerds) to triple down on using the game design process to educate students and help build foundational language skills, systematic/critical thinking, problem-solving, storytelling and even art.
Our Recommendation: Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
Microsoft MakeCode Arcade offers the best place to start with students as young as 3rd grade. It is a browser based integrated development environment (IDE) that allows you to design 8-bit retro games from the ground up. That means you can draw characters, design maps, environments and more. Best of all, it offers a an easy to use interface, tutorial system and a ton of pre-built games. The icing on top is that students do not have to just test their games on emulator, there are physical devices that you can purchase for students to upload their game into and test it on a physical device.