One of the most positive learning resources in school is actually around it. Children benefit hugely from experiencing social interaction and involvement with the local community around the school. Our teaching resources can be extended to cover a huge range of social skills – which is what the learning process is all about. This extra dimension to primary and secondary school activities provide benefits to the school, child and community. Juliann Talkington explains more of her experience in the USA
Posts Tagged ‘learning resources’
Educational Experience For Kids Enhanced Through Community Links
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010Keen2learn Boosts STEM Learning Resources
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Teaching resources focusing on science games in renewable green energy education have recently been increased at keen2learn. Aimed at giving greater support to the STEM curriculum keen2learn’s Managing Director Alistair Owens has also been recognised as a STEM Net Ambassador.
“Renewable energy education will become increasingly more important. It is essential children learn the implications and opportunities this area of learning holds” explained Alistair Owens. “ Green energy education is a fantastic example of the interlinked application of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) curriculum.”
The cross curricular project opportunities involving hydrogen fuel cells involve chemistry, physics and maths. School projects involving renewable energy are ideal in Design and Technology applications. And recent developments in the generation of the hydrogen, needed to power fuel cells, through bio mass algae reactions neatly adds biology to the scope of the teaching resources. Owens added “ We are shortly to expand our renewable range with a combined energy learning resource linking wind, solar and fuel cell energy technologies.”
The keen2learn range of educational learning resources feature a number of science games developed to let children enjoy learning. A working model hydrogen fuel cell car involves renewable energy in action. Front of class teaching resources, demonstrating electrolysis and proton exchange in a fuel cell, are supplied with a comprehensive manual of experiments.
Despite the political debates, which wax and wane, our fossil resources are finite and at some point they will potentially run out, cause a war – or destroy the atmosphere. Adding these social implications place further emphasis on the educational content of renewable energy and its essential place in the national curriculum.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Supports School STEM Projects
Thursday, February 25th, 2010The future of the UK lies significantly in developing its engineering ability. Not an easy task as interest in engineering and science in school and university has fallen significantly over the years. The STEM focus is designed to whet the appetite in children and there are a number of fantastic projects on the go. Keen2learn in particular are pleased to be associated with hydrogen fuel cell renewal energy teaching resources and the huge possibilities of how these will help reduce climate change.
Keen2learn’s link with educational games and renewable energy has resulted in their recent appointment as the UK distributor for the fantastic hydrogen fuel cell teaching resources from Heliocentris of Germany. Designed and built with schools, colleges and universities in mind the range of resources are supplied with comprehensive resources, worksheets and lesson plans. With over 30 experiments, these front of class learning resources and model hydrogen fuel cell car allow hands on experience for children. Alistair Owens MD at keen2learn explained “A real benefit of the range lies in the equipment design and documentation which allow non science teachers to also get involved in renewable energy and hydrogen fuel cells.”
The interest in renewable energy products from keen2learn is growing rapidly in schools. The combined focus in climate change from the Copenhagen summit and STEM cross curricular projects have elevated hydrogen fuel cells, solar and wind energy as lead applications to interest children in science and engineering. The Heliocentris equipment developed over the last 10 years is ideal to fire their enthusiasm in an energy source for the future.
Questions In Children’s Maths Game Leads To Interactive Story
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
“Warning, this toy can seriously improve your maths”. Although aimed at ages six to 11, my maths was in need of some polishing up, and Bunja was more than happy to oblige. Bunja is a compact nugget of maths knowledge, its purple body housing five bright yellow buttons and a central speaker. A press of the power button and Bunja springs to life, a firm but fair male voice who sounds like he’s auditioning for the nest Tom Tom Sat Nav, asking the first maths conundrum. (A review of Bunja by Josh Welensky).
Things start off nice and easy, “What’s 1 + 3?” But Bunja’s 100 adaptive maths levels meant that I soon ran out of fingers to count on. Like a six-year-old -kid, I don’t have the longest attention span – so I was intrigued by the interactive adventure you’re treated to after answering five questions correctly. Your goal is to help Sam, a vividly narrated character who’s lost in the Borneo rainforest after a plane crash. I was genuinely gripped by Sam’s plight, determined to save him from the raging torrents, scary camp guards and fearsome guerrillas by pressing “A”, “B” or “C” to choose his next move.
Bunja is disguised learning at its very best. Supporting up to ten players, a built-in report card system, 80 interactive adventures and 100 adaptive maths levels, it’s going to keep your little one adding, subtracting and multiplying for many hours to come as well. At just over £20, that’s a lot of maths for your money. I was particularly improved by its simplicity and the rather addictive interactive story.
Bunja is available from keen2learn at a special 20 % off price while stocks last.
3D Set To Upgrade Interactive Whiteboard Teaching Resources
Thursday, January 21st, 2010Although a huge number of schools installed interactive whiteboards as the focal teaching resource in the classroom, many are used as a conventional white version of the blackboard with all the electronics turned off. But 3D is about to upgrade the potential.
Sunlight, shadows and equipment failure tend to knock confidence in the interactive whiteboard. There are cases where children brought to the front of the class to interact with the computer isolate the remainder of the class until it’s their turn. Lesson time can quickly be consumed in a parade of children trooping to the front of the class.
But 3D technology in the form of chip is about to change the concept and use of this learning resource. Built into a new projector similar in shape and size to the conventional projector, the 3D version opens a whole new world to learning.
Pupils involved in the 3D programme in the USA saw a 35% jump in their grades, according to the study.
“The first comment from the teachers was that there wasn’t one discipline issue – which amazed them. And the second thing they noted was that every student passed the exam, which was unprecedented,” said Tracey Masamoto, director for 3D content firm JTM Concepts which conducted the tests.
With this level of positive reaction, the teacher’s performance and job satisfaction could leap forward significantly. Quelling the disruptive element of the class would extend the time available to teach and the technology opens new horizons in learning. All we need now is a set of 3D glasses and the software that can live up to the standards that kids who have seen “Avatar” will expect!
Read more BBC news
Latest Blog Posts
Apple iBook Not the Educational Breakthrough Expected - February 3rd, 12
Education Failing To Match Economic Needs - February 3rd, 12
New GCSE Must Give Poor Equal Educational Chance - February 3rd, 12
Universities Wobble As New Educational Degree Applications Fall - February 3rd, 12
Call 0845 643 0585 or Fax 01302 590030 
