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STEAM projects for kids are at the core of this blog. And it's not because STEAM is the latest educational trend, but because I personally believe in the power of cross-disciplinary learning.

If you are new to the idea of STEAM the acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, and started as simply STEM, without the A for Art. STEM and STEAM based learning has become a huge educational movement in the US in recent years. It began because of the noticeable lack of candidates entering the fields of engineering and science here in the US compared to other countries. Whether or not you agree with the focus on the disciplines highlighted by its acronym, the basic model of STEAM based education is to teach kids to bridge subjects and problem solve, and this is the aspect of it that has resonated with me.

As a designer, I have spent most of my education and career in "the studio," working on projects that require putting on both creative and analytical hats to solve problems. What I love about the design profession is the opportunity to look at a problem from many angles, test out different ideas, and ultimately decide on a solution. And that's what a STEAM based projects do. They teach kids to make connections between the subjects they are studying rather than explore them in isolation.

So if you are curious or interested in trying STEAM based projects with your kids, I rounded up 25 of my favorite cross-disciplinary projects right here. I hope these projects will introduce you and your children to the power of creative exploration and problem solving.

Now let's get making!

Cardboard City

A great group project made with make building tools

Even STEAM projects:

If you are looking to incorporate more STEAM ideas into your family's creative day check out our STEAM Kids Book

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STEAM projects for kids are at the core of this blog. And it's not because STEAM is the latest educational trend, but because I personally believe in the power of cross-disciplinary learning. If you are new to the idea of STEAM the acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, and started as simply STEM, without the A for Art.

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I've been obsessing over all things mobile ever since receiving a hand made frog mobile as a baby shower gift. As a designer I was already predisposed to liking them, after all aren't Alexander Calder's mobiles every design snob's dream art piece? Of course I'd need a proper place to hang one as well, but I digress....
I can't say that this mobile is even remotely close to a Calder but it's a great way to combine science and design for kids in one sweet little project: a Recycled Bird Feeder Mobile. I toyed with a number of ideas for how to build this bird feeder before reminding myself that there is no perfect solution to any project, so go down one path and enjoy the exploration. This homemade bird feeder is perfect if you are looking for a kid's craft focused on nature and recycling with a little physics thrown in for good measure!

Side note: FYI I suggest using a stick that has three branches minimum so that a bird can actually land on it and get to the birdseed. My first version was truly a balancing mobile and I saw a poor blue jay dive bombing it to knock the seed off since he couldn't land on it!
Materials

Small branch or sturdy twig

Cardboard tubes, cut into strips

Cheerios

Light Corn Syrup

Paintbrush

String

Bird Seed

Wax Paper

Hole Punch

Scissors

Instructions

Step One Punch a hole in the top and bottom of each of your cardboard tube strips.

Step Two Pour the corn syrup, Cheerios, and birdseed into three separate bowls.

Step Three Using a paint brush, paint the outside of a cardboard tube with corn syrup, the more the better! Alternatively you can roll the tube in the corn syrup to coat the outer surface, this is a quicker way to do it.

Step Four Dip your sticky tube into the birdseed. If you use a Tupperware container you can put the lid on it and shake the birdseed and tube around to cover the tube. Once covered, place the tube on the wax paper to dry.

Step Five Repeat corn syrup and birdseed steps with more tubes.

Step Six Cut a length of string and thread a Cheerio on it. Pull string through the bottom hole of one birdseed covered tube. Thread on 5-10 Cheerios then thread the string through the upper hole. You can add more tubes onto this string or move on to another string. Repeat this until you have about 6 strings completed.

Step Seven Now it's time to start putting the mobile together! Cut three long strings. Tie one string around one branch and repeat with the other two strings/branches. Gather the three strings together and knot at the top. Tie a loop with the excess string. If you don't use a loop at the top your mobile will overturn if any weight is put on it. Hang it up in an easy to reach spot.

Step Eight Tie your birdseed covered tube strings to the branches. Make sure they are secured tightly.Try not to dangle them too far from the branch or it will be hard for the birds to get to the seed.

Step Nine Trim all your excess string and hang the mobile in it's final position.

Now enjoy watching the birds flutter around it and attempt to eat birdseed off a swinging mobile....if they can't do it, they will knock the birdseed off the tubes and eat it from the ground. Hey, sometimes design is pretty not practical!

Apparently the birds in my neighborhood are talented enough to pull off the balancing feat, see my action shots below. I'm not sure if this is a physics lesson for kids or for the birds....

And don't miss out on more easy art activities here on Babble Dabble Do! Your child's inner Alexander Calder thanks you! Subscribe below or like us on FB!

If you enjoyed this post SHARE IT!

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Science & Design for Kids: Recycled Bird Feeder Mobile

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I've been obsessing over all things mobile ever since receiving a hand made frog mobile as a baby shower gift. As a designer I was already predisposed to liking them, after all aren't Alexander Calder's mobiles every design snob's dream art piece? Of course I'd need a proper place to hang one as well, but I digress....

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Many parents are aware of the benefits of STEM and STEAM education but are unsure how to incorporate it into everyday activities with their kids. Look no further than our list of STEAM activities for kids!

You'll love watching your child get psyched about learning, and they'll be amazed to use science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a setting that feels nothing like school.

Juice-Pouch Stomp Rocket

This rocket from Ana Dziengel of Babble Dabble Doo uses the power of compressed air to launch into the sky. (Budding engineers take note: This is called pneumatics!)

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Snip off the end of the flexible straw on an angle.

2. Insert the pointed end of the straw into the straw hole of the juice pouch.

3. Cut the second straw in half. This will be your rocket.

4. Make three trapezoids from cardstock, in the following dimensions: 3 inches (base) x 1 inch (height) x 3/4 inches (top). Set two aside to be full fins. Cut the last one in half vertically.

5. Tape the full fins on each side of the straw. Don't flatten the straw.

6. Tape one half-fin perpendicularly to each full fin as shown. Add washi tape to decorate the straw if desired.

7. Roll a small bit of clay into a ball. Add this to the top to seal the straw completely.

8. To launch the rocket, inflate the pouch by blowing into the flexible straw. Bend the flexible straw to aim and place the rocket straw over the end. Stomp down hard for liftoff!

Note: If after some use, one of the straws cracks, simply replace it with a new one.

Electric Play-Doh Lightning Bug

In this STEM activity from Anne Carey of Left Brain Craft Brain, kids will create a simple closed circuit to make their bug glow. Who knew that playdough could conduct electricity?

There are a few extra rules for this activity, though: Adult supervision and safety glasses are required. You're working with electricity, after all. And never touch battery-pack wires to each other or attach LEDs straight to the battery-pack wires. This can lead to overheating or damage.

What You'll Need:

(Find the bulb and battery pack wherever electrical supplies are sold.)

What To Do:

Note: If your bug doesn't light up, turn the LED around and insert the long lead into the other side of the body.

Safety Considerations:

Never connect the battery pack's terminals directly to each other. Doing so, is known as creating a short circuit and could cause the wires and the batteries to get extremely hot. Also, never connect the LEDs directly to the battery pack without using play dough. This will cause your LEDs to burn out.

Balance Sculpture

Looks are only half the challenge in this STEM activity for kids from Ana Dziengel of Babble Dabble Doo. Your budding builders will need to be patient as they test to find the sweet spot to make it balance!

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Cut the cardboard into shapes; paint. Paint the paper-towel tube and square piece of cardboard. Let dry.

2. Flatten one end of the paper-towel tube; staple closed. Cut a small V-shaped notch in the center of the flattened end. This will be the fulcrum.

3. Glue the open end of the paper-towel tube to the cardboard square (adult supervision needed). Let dry.

4. Thread cardboard shapes, wire, and beads onto a long skewer, balancing and adjusting it on the notch. Continue adjusting, using tape if needed for security, until the sculpture is balanced.

Scrub-a-dub-dub! Add some science to the tub with these pretty and so-simple bath bombs from Curious Jane.

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup citric acid

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salt

Essential oil of your choice

1 tsp water

1 tsp olive oil

Sphere-shaped mold (we used clear plastic ornaments)

What To Do:

How Does It Work?

The fizzy reaction in the tub is created by combining two ingredients: sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid. The baking soda is a base, and the citric acid is (you guessed it) an acid. Not much happens when you mix them dry. But when you add water, voilà! It acts as a catalyst, allowing the ions in each to collide. They react and dissolve, producing tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The fizzing helps the bombs break down, and it releases the scent!

Psst! Check out the book Curious Jane: Science + Design + Engineering for Inquisitive Girls.

Yardstick Launcher

Hurl lightweight balls, toys, and other objects toward a target across the room with the stomp of a foot with this STEM activity from.

What You'll Need

What To Do:

How Does It Work?

A lever is a simple machine made from a rigid beam (the yardstick) and a fulcrum (the can). When your child applies downward force to one side, it elicits an opposite reaction, sending the unattached load (the ping-pong balls) flying. You can change the amount of effort it takes to move those balls: The closer the can is to the cups, the less work it takes to move the projectiles.

Psst! Like this activity? Check out TinkerLab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors.

Perler Bead Arrays

Take a break from flash cards and practice multiplication tables using arrays, which allow kids to see the answers as they study.

What You'll Need:

Perler beads (we got ours from Amazon)

Perler beads clear square pegboards (such as this set)

Iron

What To Do

How Does It Work?

Arrays-also called the area model of multiplication-are a visual way of teaching multiplication (you can also do it by drawing dots on a piece of paper). Kids can see that 7 x 3 is the same as 7 + 7 + 7, a concept they're probably already comfortable with. Building the arrays and using them to solve equations are both powerful ways to internalize the answers.

Exploding Baggie

See science in action when vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) combine to create carbon dioxide-a gas that inflates and causes its container to burst!

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup vinegar

Gallon-sized zip-top bag

Food coloring

Binder clip

1/4 cup baking soda

Safety goggles

What To Do:

(Try this STEM activity for kids a few times, and adjust the vinegar-baking soda quantities if needed, keeping them in a 2:1 ratio.)

DIY Ice Cream

In this STEM activity for kids, you'll make ice cream by surrounding the ingredients with a layer of even colder ice. How? Salt changes the boiling and freezing temperatures of water. When you add salt to ice cubes, it causes them to melt faster, but the resulting water is actually colder than regular ice.

Eventually, that water will warm up, but as long as there are still a few ice cubes in the bag, you know the surrounding water is still colder than ice. As this extra-cold water circulates around the ice cream mixture, it coaxes it into a frozen state.

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Add the ice and rock salt to the gallon-sized bag. Shake to coat.

2. Combine half-and-half, sugar, extract, and a pinch of salt in the quart-sized bag. Seal it tight, getting all the air out.

3. Nestle the small bag of ice cream mixture into the large bag of ice, so that the ice surrounds it. Seal the large bag tightly.

4. Now shake, shake, shake it up! After about 5 minutes, your sweet treat will be ready to eat!

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23 Fun STEAM and STEM Activities for Kids

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Get your kids psyched about STEM and STEAM with interactive activities they can do at home. They'll be amazed to use science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a setting that feels nothing like school.

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Have you heard of STEM? It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (or Maths as we call it), and it's a huge buzz word at the moment. Everyone (including us) is excited about coming up with ideas to teach STEM in a hands-on, applied, integrated way. It's about much more than learning facts and figures. Instead it's about presenting challenges and helping kids come up with their own solutions, developing the sort of critical thinking skills that will be needed in the future workforce. Plus, this type of learning is much more fun!!

But an even bigger buzzword than STEM is STEAM.

STEAM (or STEM + Art) are activities that include an artistic or creative element, in addition to one (or more) of the traditional STEM pillar subjects. It could be creating art using STEM tools. It could be creating an engineering project where you take particular attention to aesthetics. It could be... any number of things really. The key is that it must cross the curriculum and encourage critical thinking skills in a meaningful way.

Importantly, STEAM projects tend to make STEM subjects more interesting and relevant for the artistically inclined. There's a belief that STEAM will encourage more kids, and more girls in particular, to like STEM.

My own girls love art and craft, and I find we're doing more and more STEAM activities. You can find some of our own STEAM ideas, and STEAM activities we love, below!
(We also do some activities which I like to call "Science Crafts", which are essentially a cute craft, but with a science aspect. Initially there's not as much critical thinking going on as might be with a more traditional STEAM challenge, but I've found these activities are a great way to introduce science concepts and vocabulary in a way that my girls can relate to. You can find all our fun science craft ideas here.)
STEAM Activities for Kids on Go Science Kids

We're doing lots of STEAM activities lately in the Go Science Kids household (I just have to find time to write them up, lol!), so be sure to check back regularly for more!

Want even more STEAM project ideas?

Here are some of the STEAM projects I love from around the net:

How to make a kaleidoscope, from Buggy and Buddy.

How to build a LEGO spin art machine, from Planet Smarty Pants.

Easy pendulum painting idea, by Hand Made Kids Art.

Design a Qixel robot, by Picklebums.

Easy chromatography butterfly craft, by Buggy and Buddy.

Use binary to code your name in jewellery, from Mama Smiles.

Make a homemade pantograph drawing machine, from Teach Beside Me.

Fibonacci art project, from What Do We Do All Day?

Shadow art, by Rhythms of Play.

Create marbled milk paper art, from Babble Dabble Do.

I collect even more ideas on our STEAM Pinterest board.

And if you like ideas like this, you can always subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our latest posts via email. We'd love for you to join us!

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STEAM Activities for Kids - Go Science Kids

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Have you heard of STEM? It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (or Maths as we call it), and it's a huge buzz word at the moment. Everyone (including us) is excited about coming up with ideas to teach STEM in a hands-on, applied, integrated way.

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Major Funding The Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation

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"Rua's Math Game " - Arcade Game from ClassTools.net

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When children encounter roadblocks in their daily lives, problem-solving skills become essential. Rather than becoming frustrated when confronted with a problem - such as dealing with peer pressure, a difficult exam, or a lost toy - problem-solving skills allow kids to manage their emotions , think creatively, and discover thoughtful solutions.

Unfortunately, kids who aren't taught to problem-solve at an early age face challenges well into adolescence - and even into adulthood. In fact, research shows that children who don't possess problem-solving skills face an i ncreased risk of depression and are more likely to act impulsively as they grow older.

Problem-solving is also identified by the World Economic Forum as one of the top skills necessary to thrive in today's workforce. Kendra Werner, Sphero's Education Program Manager, tells us, "Problem-solving exceeds finding a solution to a problem. It encompasses key 21st-century skills: collaboration with peers, creative use of technologies, critical thinking, and clear communication of solutions."

But, what is the best age to start teaching children problem-solving skills? And, how can you go about implementing these life skills into the classroom? Here at Sphero, we've teamed up with Kendra to provide this comprehensive guide answering all your questions on teaching problem-solving.

When To Start Problem-Solving Lessons

When it comes to teaching kids problem-solving skills, it's best to start as early as possible. Whether you're a parent or teacher, you can begin incorporating basic problem-solving lessons as early as preschool.

"When children assume problem-solving skills early on, they are empowered to solve not only their own problems, but the challenges of their schools, communities, and the world," Kendra explains.

Problem-solving is a foundational skill for kids to learn, allowing other skills - such as creativity and innovation - to flourish. Additionally, teaching problem-solving skills to children early on helps them tackle both academic challenges and personal issues, which prepares them to become capable adults.

Teach Problem-Solving Skills With These 3 Activities for Kids

To help you teach problem-solving skills to young learners, Kendra has detailed three fun and engaging activities to try out below:

1. Twenty Questions

This popular activity encompasses problem-solving in disguise! One person thinks of a person, place, or object. The other participants then ask twenty "yes or no'' questions about the item. After asking twenty questions, the participants must guess what the item is. This activity challenges children to practice gathering and evaluating data and then using that data to come up with an idea.

2. Scavenger Hunt

Setting up a scavenger hunt provides a fun and easy opportunity to integrate problem-solving skills into the classroom. To begin, set aside items for students to search for, and print out clues for them to find and follow. Then, divide students into small groups, challenge them to solve problems in order to get the next clue, and have them track their findings on paper. This will push students to collaborate and incorporate peer feedback into their problem-solving process.

3. Brainstorming

Brainstorming activities are some of the easiest ways to promote problem-solving skills, as they can be integrated across all subjects. No matter whether you're discussing historical events, current events, or fictional subject matter, have your students brainstorm solutions relevant to what you are currently teaching. In these lists, they can imagine ways historical figures or characters might have done things differently to produce better results. This type of brainstorming pushes children to think about multiple scenarios or solutions to a problem.

Helpful Tips for Teaching Kids Problem-Solving Skills

Educators play a key role in helping young children develop the problem-solving skills they use in their everyday lives. While the pressure of getting it right might sound intimidating - especially for those unfamiliar with teaching problem-solving skills - these tips will help you gain the confidence you need to set children up for success:

Encourage and Normalize Failure

No matter what problem-solving activity kids are participating in, encouraging and normalizing failure is key to their success. Failure allows children to learn how to deal with disappointment and manage stress during a frustrating situation.

Additionally, failure gives kids room to innovate. Kendra explains, "Failure is a key component of problem-solving and is what spurs innovation. Give children the space to experiment, take risks, and implement different strategies to tackle a problem, even if not all strategies lead to a solution."

Let Children Lead

When children encounter problems, it's important for educators to be a guide, but to ultimately allow the child to solve the issue independently. "When a problem arises, demonstrate that you are there to support your child or student in the problem-solving process, but not there to solve the problems for them. Ask open-ended questions and pose ideas as needed, but encourage children to solve problems on their own," Kendra says.

Integrate Design Thinking

When teaching problem-solving skills, it's beneficial to use the concept of design thinking as a framework. is the process of questioning a problem and its assumptions, brainstorming an answer, and prototyping and testing solutions.

Kendra tells us, "An iterative design and development process can help guide the problem-solving process and provide children with the opportunity to solve problems in new and different ways. Encourage students to integrate aspects of investigation, creation, iteration, and reflection as they problem-solve."

Start Teaching Problem-Solving Today

When it comes to 21st-century skills, problem-solving is undoubtedly one of the most important. If children aren't taught these fundamental skills at a young age, they could face challenges in their personal, academic, and professional lives in the future.

Fortunately, teaching proper problem-solving skills is easy when you know where to focus your efforts. From implementing problem-solving activities into your curriculum to understanding your role in the process, you can lean on this guide to help inform your problem-solving lessons.

Want to make your problem-solving activities even more fun and engaging? With Sphero, kids can learn valuable problem-solving skills through play. Shop Sphero's programmable robots and STEM kits today!

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3 Ways To Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills

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When children encounter roadblocks in their daily lives, problem-solving skills become essential. Rather than becoming frustrated when confronted with a problem - such as dealing with peer pressure, a difficult exam, or a lost toy - problem-solving skills allow kids to manage their emotions, think creatively, and discover thoughtful solutions.

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interactive image tool

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Book Creator - Love Learning - Book Creator app

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Formative assessment has never been faster. Plickers is the free card activity your students will love. Join millions and play in your next lesson. Sign up for free Used by K-12 teachers in over 100 countries

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July 13, 2017 DIY Tutorial
Learn how to create a custom paint by number template and transfer it to canvas to make your own paint by numbers DIY wall art!
Remember my paint by number pillows?

When I made those many of you wanted to know how to turn a photo into paint by numbers. I used Photoshop and Illustrator for that. It worked fine, but it took me a really, really long time and a lot of fine-tuning by hand. Plus, most of you probably don't have access to that software.

Fortunately, I found a free paint by number tool online!

So today I'm going to show you how you can create your own paint by numbers with your favorite image featuring DecoArt Americana Premium acrylics.

1. Start with a photo that's as simple as possible and has good contrast. I used this pretty flower from Jeon Sang but changed it from lavender to more of a pink coral. Upload it to PBNify.

2. Click around with your mouse to select different colors.

The more colors you pick, the more detail your paint by numbers template will have. But each click is a new color you have to paint, so find a happy medium.

3. Click the PBNify button, and wait awhile for it to convert your image.

Once it's converted, you can click back and forth between "filled" and "outline" to see what the template looks like.

4. Click "save" to save a copy of the filled version (for reference), the outline, and the palette. Definitely don't skip the palette because you'll use it later to mix your paint colors!

Supplies

Instructions

1. If you're using my painting instead of creating your own from a photo, download and print your free template. If you're painting directly on the paper, print it on a nice, thick paper, and move on to Step 3.

Otherwise, you can print it on any old paper; trim the edges; and move on to Step 2.

2. If you're going to paint on canvas, brush a thin coat of matte medium all over the canvas, and carefully apply your printout, beginning at one corner and working toward the opposite corner, smoothing out any wrinkles and bubbles as you go.

Once it dries, paint over it with another coat of matte medium, and let it dry thoroughly before moving onto Step 3.

3. Now it's time to mix your first color. For my template, print out this color palette.

If you're using your own photo, use the palette you generated with PBNify as a guide.

Tip: Mixing one color at a time to keep others from drying out while you paint a section. You can mix them in a lidded container to keep them from drying out as you work. That way, you're not having to try to remix a matching color because it has dried out.

Tip: Save a little extra of each color in your jars until the very end. It's super easy to miss a section, so be sure to leave yourself at least a dab to go back and fill in any spots you missed.

4. Paint all sections of your first color before moving on.

5. Continue by mixing one color at a time and painting that entire section, until you've finished the whole thing.

Tip: Start with the lightest colors and the largest areas of each color. If you accidentally paint outside the lines, it's much easier to cover up light paint with dark paint than vice versa.

This project and post were created in partnership with DecoArt, but all opinions, ideas and photography are my original creations. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help me keep Shrimp Salad Circus up and running!

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The Free Trick for How to Turn a Photo into Paint by Numbers

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July 13, 2017 DIY Tutorial Learn how to create a custom paint by number template and transfer it to canvas to make your own paint by numbers DIY wall art! Remember my paint by number pillows? When I made those many of you wanted to know how to turn a photo into paint by numbers.

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This enables students to learn that the sorts of foods they eat in a day actually become a part of their body and by choosing the right sorts of foods, they have a much better chance of staying healthy.

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This enables students to learn that the sorts of foods they eat in a day actually become a part of their body and by choosing the right sorts of foods, they have a much better chance of staying healthy.

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"Time, Fractions and Times Tables" - Arcade Game from ClassTools.net

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Join an activity with your class and find or create your own quizzes and flashcards.

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For most people, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive devices and technologies are those whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall well-being. They can also help prevent impairments and secondary health conditions.

Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, system or design used by individuals to perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. AT range from simple household items like a jar opener to the more complex items like pressure care mattress that prevents pressure sores. In short, anything that assists individuals to perform daily activities can be considered assistive technology.

Most people apply technology in their daily lives; using voice-activated devices, smart phones, remote controls to perform tasks easier. For people with physical or cognitive impairments (disabilities), assistive technology are essential:
- assisting them to communicate and learn;
- enabling them to participate in work and/or social environment;
- helping them to achieve independence and improve their quality of life.

Who Benefits from Assistive Technology (AT)?

Question: "Who Benefits from AT?"; the answer might surprise some people.
The fact is, majority of the population benefits from using assistive technology in various aspects in their daily lives. In 2018, one in five Australian have a disability or functional limitation, ~ 17.7% of the population or 4.4 million people. Source: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistic)

Assistive Technology benefits not only the individual users of AT, but family members, carers, employers, teachers and other community members who interact with the AT users.
With appropriate and relevant access, adoption and application of AT can provide individuals the opportunities to participate in community life which benefits us all.

Sample scenarios of how Assistive Technology can help in everyday living:

After a recent stroke, Harry's bathroom was fitted with grab rails to provide support and to prevent falls.

Sophia, a primary school girl with visual impairment, plays "beeping" soccer balls with her friends at recess.

Though with weakness in her legs, Joyce can travel longer distances by using a motorised scooter.

Frank, in the early stages of dementia, uses an electronic pill box to remind him to take his tablets.

Alice lives alone independently. For safety and in case of emergency, she installs a pesonal call alarm system.

Types of Assistive Technology

There are different categories of Assistive Technology, ranging from simple "low-tech" devices such as jar openers to more "high-tech" items such as voice-control software used to control a computer instead of a keyboard.

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program provides a detailed definition of Assistive Technology and the types of Assistive Technology available. Further information is available at http://www.sc.edu/scatp/what.htm.

Selecting and Obtaining Assistive Technology

Finding the "best match" between a person, their environment, and technology requires careful input from the consumer, and possibly family, carers and relevant professionals. It is an involved multi-step process requiring technical knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the individual's needs; resulting in an informed decision about the best possible solutions.
Making sure the technology matches an individual's needs in the best possible way is critical as poorly chosen AT may be of little assistance to the user, or even end up being abandoned in a closet.

When obtaining Assistive Technology, consider the following before purchasing:

What are my needs?

What limitations do I need to overcome?

What are my specific goals? Be realistic in what you want to achieve (eg. walk to shops)

Who can assist me with selecting the AT? (eg. family, health professionals)

Where can I find what AT is available?

With whom can I consult to help me to consider the options?

How will the AT be paid for? (e.g privately, through a funding source)

What are the pro's and con's of the different types and brands of AT?

Does the AT meet my needs?

Can I trial the AT?

Do I need training/education to competently use the AT?

What follow-up is available? (e.g servicing, repairs, spare parts)

AT Australia has published a list of guides for consumers, carers and new graduates in the AT knowledge base. These @ a Glance Guides provide information in selecting assistive technology solutions, offering an introduction to different types of AT and factors to consider when choosing and using AT, featuring tips and advice on products that are helpful with performing everyday activities. Topics include:

Falls prevention

Getting in and out of a car

Personal alarm call system

Dressing and undressing

Solutios for tremors

Opening jars

View @ a Glance Guides
When considering AT,
it is worth to remember that AT is not an end itself, rather it is part of an ongoing therapeutic process to assist a person achieve their goals.

Assistive Technology Research

Cost-effectiveness analysis of assistive technology based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

This presentation reports on a research project between ILCA, Novita and UWS on how ICF‐based cost‐effectiveness analyses can provide a methodology that users of assistive technology (AT) systems can employ to direct economic analyses of their own AT systems, which include AT devices, care work and accessible environments. The presentation first introduces the methodology and then explores how such economic analyses might overcome the dilemma posed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: the dilemma between the right to reasonable accommodation and the limitation of disproportionate or undue burden.

AT Collaboration and AT Economics

The story of Australia's AT collaboration stems from a shared vision by an interdisciplinary group of practitioners and academics.
The vision is that people will have access to appropriate assistive technology when they need it, as well as built and social environments that facilitate maximum independence.

In November 2006 the Fremantle Collaboration obtained from University of Western Sydney (UWS) Research Partnerships Program a grant to investigate the economic framework for people with a disability and the provision of specialist equipment for their needs. The Research Partnership Project is entitled Assistive Technology in Australia: Economic Analyses from a user standpoint - methodological implications. Independent Living Centres Australia; National Council on Rehabilitation Engineering and Novita Tech are grant industry partners.

Research papers, Updates and presentations by the AT Collaboration Group

Special Projects on Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Sessions for People with Disabilities, Carers and Family Members

Following the success in running the 2014 AT Workshops in Hunter, AT Australia expanded the delivery areas and toured around NSW in 2015. These sessions are FREE and are suited for people with disabilities, consumers, carers and family members. The tours aimed to inform and educate consumers about aids available to assist at home and in the community, with a variety of equipment solutions on display at each venue. Included on tours were AT Sessions and Focus Talks on:
- Mobility Options | Self Care Options | Communication Options |

.. more about Assistive Technology Sessions - AT on Tour

Assisitive Technology Mentors

AT Mentors, a twelve month pilot program designed to give more choice and control to NDIS participants around their assistive technology (aids, equipment) and home modification needs. AT Mentors have lived experiences of using assistive technology (AT). They assist others by mentoring and supporting them in making informed choices about their AT and home mods needs.
AT Mentors are supported by the allied health professionals at Assistive Technology Australia

.. more about AT Mentors

Everyone Connects Australia

Everyone Connects is a service dspecially designed for people with complex communication needs, their carers and family members and professionals working with them. The partnership with the Telstra Foundation commenced in 2014 for a pilot project, brought a small team of therapists running workshops in metro, regional and rural NSW. The overwhelmingly positive responses from participants, demonstrated the need for young people with communication disabilities have to experiment and learn. Workshop attendants were inspired to connect to the digital world! The popular outreach delivery attracted new funding from Telstra.

In 2015, the project expanded nationally, aptly re-named to Everyone Connects Australia (ECA).
Through 2015 to 2017, the ECA Team delivered programs in various formats like Mini-Expos and Individual Consultation for Consumers, and In-depth Training programs for Professionals. By 2017 year end, project ECA was completed successfully.
With funding finished, AT Australia no longer has the budget to run programmes that are specifically focused on people with complex communication issues and needs. However the Client Services Team continue to assist people with communication needs for available options through the Funded Core Service i.e. Infoline, AT Display, Appointments with therapists for advices, and the AT Database @ magic on the website.

.. more about Everyone Connects

Questions and Assistance

If you have any questions about selecting and obtaining AT, or are unsure where to start, we are here to assist. Infoline is our free information service for consumers and health professionals seeking advice about AT or access to the built environment.

Alternatively, come to visit our Display at Westpoint Blacktown, to view the range of Assistive Technology items that may be able to assist you.

Inside the Display, most visitors are pleasantly surprised by a one-bedroom apartment, purposely built according to the Livable Housing Australia Design Guidelines, and is stocked with carefully chosen AT products relevant to each area.

** Please note that Assistive Technology Australia DO NOT SELL any AT equipment,
but we can provide you with the contact information of suppliers who do.

If you would like to consult with one of our friendly allied health professionals, or want to try out any equipment, we welcome you to make an appointment. Call our Infoline on 1300 452 679 today.
Our Livable Design Display is at:

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For most people, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible. Assistive devices and technologies are those whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall well-being. They can also help prevent impairments and secondary health conditions.

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Technology in education is the biggest change in teaching we will ever see. For years, policy makers, teachers, parents and students alike have been weighing the potential benefits of technology in education against its risks and consequences.

Prior to March 2020, some would say that technology allowed you to experiment in pedagogy, democratize the classroom and reach Generation Z students. Others may have argued that technology in the classroom could promote cheating. But after 2020, technology in education has become essential-especially as the COVID-19 pandemic forced higher ed and public schools to swap face-to-face instruction for distance learning.

Below, we share 20 best practices for using technology in the classroom-and offer workable solutions that will help you meet the needs of your students. You can also download our free guide, which highlights how five acclaimed educators use technology to help their students excel in any course.

How technology can support learning outcomes for today's students

Students are digital natives. They've grown up with technology; it's woven into their lives. In fact, it's one of the basic 21st-century skills that they'll need in school and the workplace.

Technology integration in the classroom now begins during elementary school and carries through to high school and higher education. But using computer technology in the classroom isn't just about digital devices in class-it relates to anything that facilitates an interaction between teacher and student. Technology in education programs could be seen as a culprit, or it could be harnessed to improve student engagement and effectiveness-and that's what we'll discuss below.

"Digital education is generating new learning opportunities as students engage in online, digital environments and as faculty change educational practices through the use of hybrid courses, personalized instruction, new collaboration models and a wide array of innovative, engaging learning strategies," says David Goodrum, Director of Academic Technology and Information Services at Oregon State University.

"Furthermore, a 21st century view of learner success requires students to not only be thoughtful consumers of digital content, but effective and collaborative creators of digital media, demonstrating competencies and communicating ideas through dynamic storytelling, data visualization and content curation," Goodrum says.

Types of classroom technology

Education technology allows you to engage, interact with, and inspire students in and out of your class. Plus, certain types of technology tools like podcasts or video streaming platforms can help meet the unique learning styles of your cohort. Many of the technologies below are used to operate online education programs-including lectures, labs, group meetings or class tutorials. Plenty of higher education institutions have already integrated some of the following technology tools into their degree programs today.

Learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Moodle and Blackboard allow you to manage courses, assign homework and tests, and track student grades.

Digital courseware such as ebook products by Pearson, McGraw-Hill and Macmillan can be used to create and distribute teaching resources (such as textbooks or question packs) to students as a way to create engaging homework experiences.

Classroom response systems including iClicker and Poll Everywhere help students reflect on their learning via polls or discussions in class.

Virtual classroom tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom are used to host synchronous online lectures and let participants engage in breakout rooms or 'share their screen' with one another.

Remote proctoring software like Proctorio and Honorlock help maintain academic integrity by monitoring student behavior during tests and flag behavior indicative of cheating.

This article looks at the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. We'll also share the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom when incorporating new digital teaching and assessment techniques into your lesson plans.

8 pros and cons of using technology for student engagement

The pros:

1. Technology in the classroom helps ensure full participation

Online polling and other digital tools help to engage all students, including shy students who wouldn't normally raise their hands in class. Online engagement systems allow you to regularly check in with students for feedback on course materials and assignments. Student insights can also be used to help spot areas where learners might be struggling.

Student response systems help learners measure their understanding of a topic while professors can see what areas they need to review. For instance, iClicker offers questions that may be multiple choice or true or false. Students are then asked to identify a correct answer to a question in exchange for participation points from a professor. Clickers, virtual classroom software and assessment platforms like Socrative or Kahoot! can make for great engagement tools for educators looking to enhance their lectures. Student response systems help foster digital citizenship in the classroom and give students an opportunity to engage in class and get rewarded for it at the same time.

Another active learning technique that education technology can facilitate is offering students quizzes (not for credit). At the beginning of the class, students can gauge familiarity with a subject by taking a quick, anonymous quiz on the topic you're teaching-and this can also inform and direct what you need to focus on. At the end of the class, facilitating the same quiz again allows all students to gauge what they do and don't understand.

2. Using technology in the classroom allows you to experiment more in pedagogy and get instant feedback

Technology allows for more active learning. You can increase engagement through online polling or asking quiz questions during online lectures, with instantaneous results. If you're using a digital textbook, subject matter is dynamic and timely with embedded links to relevant materials or immersive multimedia.

Whether adding a single tool for a specific project or term, or making a more dramatic change such as a flipped classroom, being well-versed in technology can help build credibility with students and even fellow colleagues. Video conferencing software, live polls and discussion boards are all ways to form feedback loops with your students. An LMS such as Moodle and polling software like Poll Everywhere can also help educators get an instant understanding of student comprehension.

3. There are countless resources for enhancing education and making learning more fun and effective

From apps and e-textbooks to organizational platforms, there's no shortage of tools that can transform the classroom. Some instructors are turning toward classroom 'gamification,' the use of competitive scenarios, and the distribution of points and rewards to make the online classroom more fun and engaging. The key to ensuring these methods are also effective is designing them to support your course learning objectives. Digital storytelling, where students use simulations to immerse themselves in a fictional environment, can make learning more exciting and relatable for students. Gamification also allows for interactive lessons and can reduce passivity in the classroom.

Some gamification activities introduce healthy competition to your class. In role play, for example, students are asked to pose arguments on behalf of historical figures. Technology can greatly aid the implementation of classroom games, while students may be incentivized to complete their assessments. Blended learning can also play an effective role here, whereby student curriculum is partially delivered in person and partially via digital means.

4. Technology makes it simple for students to collaborate and engage in group work outside of class

Gone are the days when one student was tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation for a group. Through technology, students can start working on a project together in class and seamlessly collaborate, communicate and bounce ideas off one another using social media, interactive whiteboards and more. Physical and social barriers no longer exist, letting students work together from anywhere and at any time. Technology has also enabled students to engage in spontaneous discussions and find instant answers to problems or questions they may have about a topic.

The cons:

5. Technology in the classroom can be a distraction

Tech savvy students may find it hard to concentrate in class when a wide range of digital devices are around them. It can be hard to keep students' attention while lecturing behind a screen, but James Lang, Professor of English and the Director of the D'Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption College, has a solution. Lang argues that change renews attention-meaning that if students are starting to tune out, it's time to incorporate opportunities for class discussions. Lang calls these moments 'signature attention activities' as they are designed to spark engagement in the midst of a slump.

Matthew Numer, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, says in an article for The Chronicle of Higher Education that banning laptops is an "insult" to students. "Our students are capable of making their own choices, and if they choose to check Snapchat instead of listening to your lecture, then that's their loss. Besides, it's my responsibility as an educator to ensure that my lecture is compelling. If my students aren't paying attention, if they're distracted, that's on me." To Numer, students glancing at their mobile devices may indicate that a course's curriculum and instruction needs to be revamped.

This makes the notion of creating a structure and culture of respect all the more important from day one. Identify specific projects, opportunities for breaks and your intentions for participation and engagement using technology in the classroom. Creating expectations and guidelines for students-and sticking to them-will be important for them in respecting your boundaries.

6. Technology can disconnect students from social interactions

Many people are skeptical of technology and what it does to students', and everyone else's, ability to verbally communicate.

By creating assignments in class that use both technological tools as well as oral presentations and group collaboration, student learning has the potential to become more dynamic and interactive. Participation can also go beyond verbal communication. Consider how your LMS, discussion board or live chat can be leveraged to increase student engagement.

7. Technology can foster cheating in class and on assignments

Students have always found ways to cheat, but the digital age makes it even easier-from copying-and-pasting someone else's work to hiring an essay-writer from an online essay mill. Here, digital technology could end up hindering students' professional development.

While technology could be seen as yet another avenue for cheating, it's possible to structure assignments and exams in a way that makes cheating difficult. Alternatively, you can make exams open-book and focus on problem-solving and mastery rather than retention. Some classroom software allows you to set questions that are subtly different for every student, making them focus on the technique rather than the answer. Ed tech software such as Turnitin is already well-established in most higher education settings. With COVID-19, some institutions have relied on proctoring software to maintain academic integrity from a distance. These assistive tools can help professors maintain academic integrity.

8. Classroom technology doesn't necessarily make students more accountable

While it can certainly help, technology use in the classroom doesn't always mean students are more likely to stay on top of their deliverables. For example, it can be tricky to know if your students are viewing the full lecture recordings or coming to class having completed their assigned readings. Social media and other ed tech platforms don't necessarily indicate completion. Some LMS providers may show if a student has opened a file, but that only says so much. Whether students have reviewed, absorbed and are able to retain that information is a question that-like traditional learning materials-not all classroom tech can solve.

7 pros and cons of using classroom technology to increase flexibility

The pros:

9. Technology can automate a lot of your tedious tasks

Automation can speed up tedious, time-consuming tasks, such as keeping track of student attendance and performance. Engagement tools can help streamline grading for writing assignments, discussions and participation, as well as answer common student questions, which otherwise could seem daunting due to their objective nature.

The canonical example of this? One professor at Georgia Tech coded an artificially intelligent teaching assistant. ' Jill Watson' was able to answer a selection of student questions and pass any that she couldn't handle to a real person. Integrating technology in the classroom has the potential to reduce the amount of time spent on minor tasks.

10. Technology in college classrooms gives students instant access to fresh information that can supplement their learning experience

There is value in having textbooks and course materials that are always up to date, which can even include additions suggested by students. This also fosters a more collaborative learning environment-students can share information, work together on group projects and interact with their instructor online. Collaboration between professors and their students is put into practice through a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle or Blackboard, where professors upload new content for students to review online.

Educational technology enables students to engage in an ongoing cycle of learning: before, during and after class. Student response systems such as clickers can also help learners apply their understanding of concepts covered in class and can indicate areas that need to be reviewed. For Generation Z, technology is arguably the best way to meet student needs. Demian Hommel, Senior Instructor of Geography and Environmental Sciences and Marine Resource Management at Oregon State University, uses a classroom response system to poll students every few minutes during lectures. "Using technology to help students understand the trends and patterns that are going to affect them is transformative," he says.

"Using technology to help students understand the trends and patterns that are going to affect them is transformative." -Professor Demian Hommel

11. Students have the choice to learn in real time or at their own pace

Using technology in the classroom has given students more choice in, and control over, their learning experiences. Learning tools have also given professors the flexibility in how to deliver their lectures or labs. For instance, students can tune into live-streamed lectures hosted at a specific time, while others can view lecture recordings on their own if they're unable to attend a live session. Plus, real-time lessons in online learning can help students feel a great sense of belonging and camaraderie that would otherwise be lost.

Asynchronous learning provides a new level of flexibility for both students and educators. For example, instead of waiting for students to show up at your office, host your office hours via Zoom and let your students know that they're free to drop by during a given time frame. Additionally, technology can be used to help students take asynchronous tests. Just make a test available on your LMS for a 48-hour period so that students can take their assessment at a time and place that works for them.

12. Address the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines with thoughtful technology use

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for ensuring your course delivery meets the needs of all students. It's the ultimate way to provide flexibility in how, when and where learning takes place. The three tenets of this framework are providing multiple means of engagement, representation and expression.

In order to represent content in a variety of ways, you might consider complementing a textbook reading with a podcast. Alternatively, multiple ways of expressing students' understanding could mean offering students learning opportunities through journal articles or video reflections. Finally, multiple forms of engagement might mean gauging students' interests at the start of the term through icebreakers or a student interest inventory-and then use these insights to tailor your units of study accordingly.

The cons:

13. Lesson planning might become more labor-intensive with technology

The task of adapting technology into your classroom can seem daunting or overwhelming. In many ways though, using technology can become as natural to you as any daily activity.

When you're choosing classroom technology, it's important to engage with the software vendor and make sure you have the appropriate level of support in place. Some questions you should ask include whether they supply training or onboarding, and what their reliability statistics and support functions are. After all, you don't need to be the person all the students come to if the technology goes offline.

The most important factor is to allow yourself time to learn how to use a new ed tech tool and make sure you ask for, and receive, the support that you need.

14. Students don't have equal access to technological resources

An online education should be accessible to students. But some students can't afford iPads or even the textbooks required for class. Others simply do not have reliable Internet access. Point these students in the direction of your institution's library or community resources, or create assignments that allow them to work in groups and share resources. You might also consider using open educational resources (OER), which provide a cost-effective alternative to the traditional college textbook. Don't make technology the focus of your class, and don't make it a barrier. Incorporate it in a holistic and inclusive manner-and ensure you do your part to find equitable learning solutions.

15. Technology in education can create privacy concerns

Video conferencing or web-hosting solutions have brought with them some concerns around data protection. For example, do platforms offer end-to-end encryption in basic plans provided to students? Social media handles set up as part of a tutorial or learning activity can also lead to student information being accessed by a wider audience than intended. What's more, Zoombombing-disruptive intrusions into a video conference call-became a common occurrence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And though they maintain academic integrity, remote proctoring solutions can make test-takers feel uncomfortable. Students may not want to have their homes shown in front of a proctor and being monitored can increase stress and anxiety.

5 pros and cons of using technology to aid instructional design

The pros:

16. We live in a digital world, and technology is an essential life skill

Being digitally literate is more than obtaining "isolated technological skills," according to the NMC Horizon Report: 2017 Higher Education Edition. Rather, it's about "generating a deeper understanding of the digital environment, enabling intuitive adaptation to new contexts and [the] co-creation of content with others." Here, the traditional whiteboard is almost extinct, while technology has never been more essential in the virtual classroom. Creating presentations, learning to differentiate reliable from unreliable sources on the Internet and maintaining proper online netiquette are all vital skills that students will learn to develop in the classroom.

Technology use can also help universities deliver a better return on the investment students pay for their education-as well as make learning relevant to a primarily Generation Z audience. Mobile technology in classrooms is a must-have if students want to be prepared for almost any career today. Student achievement may be boosted if they have the means to continue working on projects outside of the classroom.

17. Classroom technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional course materials

Technology can help save students hundreds during a semester. Rather than asking students to buy a copy of five different textbooks, some professors might want to direct students to their institution's library or adopt open source textbooks.

Using technology in the classroom has its benefits for the environment as well. Institutions can reduce the amount they spend on ink and paper by distributing important documents in a centralized digital location. As opposed to asking students to buy a print book from your campus bookstore, authoring your own digital, interactive book can help students save big. Katie Thompson-Laswell, Senior Instructor of Human Development and Family Science at Kansas State University, was able to save her students $70 on course materials in the spring 2019 semester. Two years later, new cohorts of students continue to enjoy a low-cost, interactive homework experience from anywhere.

The cons:

18. The quality of research and sources students find may not be credible

The Internet is a blessing and a curse. Your students may need guidance on identifying legitimate and unreliable sources. Many colleges have writing centers that can help with this. You can also use OER-ranging from lecture notes, examinations, assignments and textbooks-and adapt them to fit the needs of your course and students. How can you tell if content is written by a competent authority? Use these tips to find effective OERs. Top Hat's Catalog-filled with hundreds of low-cost, interactive textbooks-is also a reliable source of OER you can use, regardless of your discipline or teaching modality.

19. Some classroom technologies could eventually replace professors

Classroom technology has helped position educators as a 'guide on the side' versus a 'sage on the stage.' But that shift in the role that professors play has the potential to put them on the sidelines-especially with online learning. Technology has automated many learning processes such as grading. With asynchronous online learning especially, it's possible that students could now have little-to-no interactions with their educators compared to their experiences in the traditional classroom.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which prioritize unlimited participation and open access, let students gain an unrestricted learning experience without a professor present. Platforms like Coursera let students watch on-demand video lectures from leading universities and companies for a fraction of the cost of a university degree. These platforms even offer selective degree and certificate programs. Other platforms like LinkedIn Learning prioritize skill-based learning, which allows students to complete courses or learning modules at their own pace-without the guidance of an instructor.

20. Institutions' lack of IT support can make it challenging to evaluate and implement new classroom technologies

Where do you begin if you're new to teaching? Educators may understandably feel overwhelmed when adopting new tools and platforms to meet the needs of their Generation Z students. While colleges may have a site-wide license for a particular LMS, educators are often left to their own resources to decide how to bring their material to life. Depending on the scale and quality of instructional design services offered at their institution, this can be a lengthy and uneasy process.

How classroom technology can help you meet your teaching goals next semester

This past academic year has highlighted the essential role that technology plays in student learning. No matter where you're teaching next semester, the best practices for using classroom technology below can help make your course more engaging, interactive and active. For additional advice, download our free guide on how to effectively use technology in your next face-to-face, hybrid or online classroom.

Eliminate distractions in class

1. Use frequent polls to make sure students pay attention-and to hold them accountable
2. Begin lessons with a game or icebreaker to encourage focus and collaboration from the start of class

Allow students to learn at their own pace

1. Adopt a flipped classroom model where students can view lecture modules and complete quizzes in advance of live lectures
2. Complement live activities with self-paced exercises such as blog posts or video journal responses, which students can share in your LMS

Create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable speaking out

1. Incorporate an anonymous discussion board during in-class polls
2. Ask your teaching assistants to respond to, and acknowledge, students' contributions in and out of class

Help students stay accountable for their learning outside of your classroom

1. Adopt or author your own digital interactive textbook that includes comprehension questions throughout
2. Keep a digital repository of discussion board prompts or quiz questions and re-quiz students on these concepts in future homework assignments to check for subject mastery

Provide instant feedback on student performance

1. Consider employing low-stakes, multiple choice quizzes that can be auto-graded
2. Grade assignments using a built-in rubric in your LMS and provide personalized feedback upon student request

Technology in the classroom: The final verdict

It's clear that the benefits of technology in the classroom outweigh the cons. But the key to technology in the classroom is always going to be the teacher-student relationship, because that's where the education happens. Technology can be a highly effective tool, but that's all it is-a tool. In today's hyper-connected world, sensible use of technology can enhance education. By using technology as an aid in the classroom, educators can create memorable and impactful learning outcomes for their diverse group of college students. For best practices on how to integrate technology in your classroom next semester, download our free guide packed with tips and tools five professors have used to give their course delivery a boost.

References

1. Kelly, R. (2018, January 11). 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2018. https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2018/01/11/7-Ed-Tech-Trends-to-Watch-in-2018.aspx?Page=1

2. Dhami, H. (2020, August 13). James Lang's Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It. [Blog post]. https://tophat.com/blog/james-lang-distracted/

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How to Take Advantage of Ed Tech In The Classroom | Top Hat

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Get best practices for enhancing technology in your classroom. Plus, download Top Hat's free guide to make ed tech tools work for your course.

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In an age when attention spans of student is diminishing rapidly and gadgets play a major role in their lives, forward-thinking teachers are trying to find new ways to help their students learn better - and keep them interested in their studies.

'Math' is a subject which has undeservedly garnered a bad name for being a difficult and boring subject since centuries. Hence, teachers are now using following apps to break this myth and help their students acquire the required mathematical skills easily while having fun with numbers:

1. Prodigy Game

Meant for students of grades 1-8, Prodigy Game is available for free on iOS, Android and web platforms. Teachers love this game-based learning program because it allows them to use games in classroom and for homework assessment projects and make learning a fun activity.

The app offers built-in diagnostic test which generates real-time reports on students' progress and helps teachers identify their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Math Training for Kids

Meant for students of ages 3 and up, this Android-based app helps students to pick up four basic concepts of Math - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division - quite easily. You will find several interesting exercises and games to give kids ample practice.

3. CK12

A free app, available on Android, iPhone or iPad, Windows 8 or 10 and web platforms, CK-12 pairs high-quality content with latest technology. The interactive learning activities it offers include adaptive practice, PLIX, and simulations.

High School students would love its BrainGenie section while those who specifically want to develop their Algebra Proficiency and Higher Mathematics skills should delve into its FlexMath section.

Teachers love the app because it is easily accessible anytime, anywhere; and include workbooks, quizzes and tests too.

4. Colorado's PhET

Colorado's University PhET simulations project is quite popular as a classroom tool in progressive Maths and Science teachers. The animated illustrations can easily be incorporated into lectures as well as homework assignments to help students understand certain concepts easily.

While PhET app is available for $0.99 for Android and iPhone/iPad users, K-12 students can access its PhET simulations online for free to study mathematical concepts like Projectile Motion, Calculus Grapher, and Arithmetic.

5. Photomath

Available for free on both Android and iOS platforms, Photomath allows you to snap a picture of the math problem and get its step-by-step solution! From basic arithmetic to fractions to trigonometry to linear and quadratic equations, it can help you with a lot of Math problems quite easily.

While a good teacher will certainly never allow you to use this app in a classroom, teachers do recommend it as a study support too that students can use at home.

Other similar free apps that you might want to try are Mathway and Socratic.

6. Khan Academy

Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, uploaded videos on Algebra on YouTube with a purpose to provide remote tutoring to his cousin. The videos got more views than he expected and today Khan Academy offers free video lessons to all students through its apps and website.

One can learn anything here - from counting to calculus. There is a dashboard which allows students, parents, and teachers to track the progress of students too.

7. GeometryPad

Free for Android and iOS, the app is loved by teachers for making the understanding of geometric concepts easier and ensures better student engagement in class. Teachers can also give assignments for home using it, in which students can practice taking measurements and using the compass, experiment with different geometric shapes, and create complex geometric sketches too.

8. BuzzMath

Primarily a web-based app, it offers over 3,000 problems that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Teachers love it because it is accessible from any device, offers a variety of input styles, allows students to try again and again, and of course, detailed reporting tools (in paid versions only).

9. Brainscape Flashcards

Available on both iOS and Android based platforms, this app is unique because it gathers inputs from a student and then, creates a study plan tailored to him or her.

Math tutors love it for its flashcard function, which is quite useful when it comes to helping high school students learn their formulas. Flashcard repetitions in the app are timed according to the individual's cognitive requirements and have been scientifically proven to help you learn better in half the time.

10. Singapore Maths

We all know how proficient Singaporean students are in Math. It's because of their special teaching method where abstract mathematical concepts are explained easily to students using concrete objects. The method is fully compatible with CCSS.

The app includes over 500 learning games and educational videos. There is a free trial available but after the trial period, one will have to subscribe to the app to be able to access its content.

Author Bio: Monica Gill, a writer, who currently maintains a home tutoring resource in Singapore. She is passionate about writing and collecting new books. She believes in hard work and it is her persistence that keeps her doing better. She is a perfectionist and doesn't let go off things that don't appear perfect to her. She loves traveling whenever she needs time off of her busy schedule. Her favorite holiday destination is Hawaii.

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10 Free Math Apps for Students that Teachers Swear By

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'Math' is a subject which has undeservedly garnered a bad name for being a difficult and boring subject since centuries. Hence, teachers are now using following apps to break this myth and help their students acquire the required mathematical skills easily while having fun with numbers:

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Engineering for kids is a passion around here. Our oldest son is always tinkering, taping, creating and maneuvering things to figure them out. One of his absolute favorite things to tinker with is anything that flies. This week we are excited to share this awesome activity to encourage engineering for kids. This simple DIY soda rocket is out of this world.
* This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure.
Engineering for Kids | DIY Soda Rockets

Setting up the Experiment

As with almost all of our projects, we use child led practices to create and experiment. This means that I usually don't give the children a set of instructions to try and replicate, but instead ask guiding questions and am there just to support their ideas. For this experiment, we talked a lot about things that fly and researched ways to make items fly. We did a big study of potential and kinetic energy and with force and motion.

After studying these for some time, the boys decided on the following items for their rockets.
Materials:
Styrofoam Cone
Cork Board
Washi Tape
Soda bottles
Rubber Cork (we used a #4)

Vinegar
Baking Soda
Tissue Paper
Creating DIY Soda Rockets
This was probably one of the most exciting parts of the project. I love watching little brains think and problem solve. Without a given set of instructions, the boys needed to design a rocket that would not only look cool, but also could fly!

The first thing they did was trace the water bottle they planned to fit inside the styrofoam cone. With my help, we then cut and dug out a hole to put the bottle in for the end of the project. If you are making these ahead for children, I would suggest doing this step before the children are there.

Next, they decided they needed to cut out a space to put the wings of the rocket. With adult supervision, they used a box cutter to make 3 slots at the bottom of the cone.

The wings were a little trickier. At first they tried making just triangles but learned that they wouldn't sit flat on the ground that way. Using scrap paper, they tested and tried about 3 designs before they came up with the design they ended up with. They used this design to trace and cut out foam board for 3 wings.

Finally, it was time to decorate the rockets. If it were up to me, we definitely would have painted. In fact, I was looking forward to it! However, the boys really wanted to use Duct tape and, honestly, it turned out so cool this way. I love watching little brains work and create!

Conducting the Experiment | Launching the Soda Rockets

Ready for Blast Off!

Finally, the rockets were ready! Each boy had a rocket, and my oldest even had 2 (I told you he loves anything and everything rockets). Aside from it being -10 degrees, we were ready for the perfect launch day.

Once again, I did not tell the boys what they should do for the chemical reaction, but we play and explore fizzing and reactions so much that they are pretty familiar with the cause and effects of many combinations. They tried water and alka-seltzer but nothing happened from them. They decided the bottles were too big and the rockets were too heavy.

So they turned to the classic baking soda and vinegar reactions. They poured vinegar in the rocket, and placed baking soda on 1 square of tissue paper. They wrapped the baking soda in the tissue (so the reaction would be slowed). When everyone was in a safe position, they pushed the tissue into the bottle and corked the bottle. Then, they quickly turned the bottle over and waited for the launch.

When we did this experiment this summer, the rockets blasted to the neighbors yard, so we know it works. However, it was -10 this day and it was extremely hard to work in those temperatures. The rockets definitely "flew" but not a great distance. We can't wait to try this again when it is warmer and we will add in more images and even a fun video. For now, this is all I have 🙂

I am excited to be taking part in a month long series focused on STEAM activities for kids! I am honored to be joining some of my favorite blogs that encourage critical thinking and problem solving in young children. This month all of our projects have the theme of "FLY".
Dancing Balloons
Parachutes
Whirly Twirly Flying Birds Indoor Boomerang Paper airplane
Hot air balloons

Do you have a favorite STEAM Powered Activity? I would love to know! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribe by email. I can't wait to hear your ideas.

More Adventures in Engineering

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Engineering for kids is a passion around here. Our oldest son is always tinkering, taping, creating and maneuvering things to figure them out. One of his absolute favorite things to tinker with is anything that flies. This week we are excited to share this awesome activity to encourage engineering for kids.

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Many parents are aware of the benefits of STEM and STEAM education but are unsure how to incorporate it into everyday activities with their kids. Look no further than our list of STEAM activities for kids!

You'll love watching your child get psyched about learning, and they'll be amazed to use science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a setting that feels nothing like school.

Juice-Pouch Stomp Rocket

This rocket from Ana Dziengel of Babble Dabble Doo uses the power of compressed air to launch into the sky. (Budding engineers take note: This is called pneumatics!)

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Snip off the end of the flexible straw on an angle.

2. Insert the pointed end of the straw into the straw hole of the juice pouch.

3. Cut the second straw in half. This will be your rocket.

4. Make three trapezoids from cardstock, in the following dimensions: 3 inches (base) x 1 inch (height) x 3/4 inches (top). Set two aside to be full fins. Cut the last one in half vertically.

5. Tape the full fins on each side of the straw. Don't flatten the straw.

6. Tape one half-fin perpendicularly to each full fin as shown. Add washi tape to decorate the straw if desired.

7. Roll a small bit of clay into a ball. Add this to the top to seal the straw completely.

8. To launch the rocket, inflate the pouch by blowing into the flexible straw. Bend the flexible straw to aim and place the rocket straw over the end. Stomp down hard for liftoff!

Note: If after some use, one of the straws cracks, simply replace it with a new one.

Electric Play-Doh Lightning Bug

In this STEM activity from Anne Carey of Left Brain Craft Brain, kids will create a simple closed circuit to make their bug glow. Who knew that playdough could conduct electricity?

There are a few extra rules for this activity, though: Adult supervision and safety glasses are required. You're working with electricity, after all. And never touch battery-pack wires to each other or attach LEDs straight to the battery-pack wires. This can lead to overheating or damage.

What You'll Need:

(Find the bulb and battery pack wherever electrical supplies are sold.)

What To Do:

Note: If your bug doesn't light up, turn the LED around and insert the long lead into the other side of the body.

Safety Considerations:

Never connect the battery pack's terminals directly to each other. Doing so, is known as creating a short circuit and could cause the wires and the batteries to get extremely hot. Also, never connect the LEDs directly to the battery pack without using play dough. This will cause your LEDs to burn out.

Balance Sculpture

Looks are only half the challenge in this STEM activity for kids from Ana Dziengel of Babble Dabble Doo. Your budding builders will need to be patient as they test to find the sweet spot to make it balance!

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Cut the cardboard into shapes; paint. Paint the paper-towel tube and square piece of cardboard. Let dry.

2. Flatten one end of the paper-towel tube; staple closed. Cut a small V-shaped notch in the center of the flattened end. This will be the fulcrum.

3. Glue the open end of the paper-towel tube to the cardboard square (adult supervision needed). Let dry.

4. Thread cardboard shapes, wire, and beads onto a long skewer, balancing and adjusting it on the notch. Continue adjusting, using tape if needed for security, until the sculpture is balanced.

Scrub-a-dub-dub! Add some science to the tub with these pretty and so-simple bath bombs from Curious Jane.

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup citric acid

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salt

Essential oil of your choice

1 tsp water

1 tsp olive oil

Sphere-shaped mold (we used clear plastic ornaments)

What To Do:

How Does It Work?

The fizzy reaction in the tub is created by combining two ingredients: sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid. The baking soda is a base, and the citric acid is (you guessed it) an acid. Not much happens when you mix them dry. But when you add water, voilà! It acts as a catalyst, allowing the ions in each to collide. They react and dissolve, producing tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The fizzing helps the bombs break down, and it releases the scent!

Psst! Check out the book Curious Jane: Science + Design + Engineering for Inquisitive Girls.

Yardstick Launcher

Hurl lightweight balls, toys, and other objects toward a target across the room with the stomp of a foot with this STEM activity from.

What You'll Need

What To Do:

How Does It Work?

A lever is a simple machine made from a rigid beam (the yardstick) and a fulcrum (the can). When your child applies downward force to one side, it elicits an opposite reaction, sending the unattached load (the ping-pong balls) flying. You can change the amount of effort it takes to move those balls: The closer the can is to the cups, the less work it takes to move the projectiles.

Psst! Like this activity? Check out TinkerLab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors.

Perler Bead Arrays

Take a break from flash cards and practice multiplication tables using arrays, which allow kids to see the answers as they study.

What You'll Need:

Perler beads (we got ours from Amazon)

Perler beads clear square pegboards (such as this set)

Iron

What To Do

How Does It Work?

Arrays-also called the area model of multiplication-are a visual way of teaching multiplication (you can also do it by drawing dots on a piece of paper). Kids can see that 7 x 3 is the same as 7 + 7 + 7, a concept they're probably already comfortable with. Building the arrays and using them to solve equations are both powerful ways to internalize the answers.

Exploding Baggie

See science in action when vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) combine to create carbon dioxide-a gas that inflates and causes its container to burst!

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup vinegar

Gallon-sized zip-top bag

Food coloring

Binder clip

1/4 cup baking soda

Safety goggles

What To Do:

(Try this STEM activity for kids a few times, and adjust the vinegar-baking soda quantities if needed, keeping them in a 2:1 ratio.)

DIY Ice Cream

In this STEM activity for kids, you'll make ice cream by surrounding the ingredients with a layer of even colder ice. How? Salt changes the boiling and freezing temperatures of water. When you add salt to ice cubes, it causes them to melt faster, but the resulting water is actually colder than regular ice.

Eventually, that water will warm up, but as long as there are still a few ice cubes in the bag, you know the surrounding water is still colder than ice. As this extra-cold water circulates around the ice cream mixture, it coaxes it into a frozen state.

What You'll Need:

What To Do:

1. Add the ice and rock salt to the gallon-sized bag. Shake to coat.

2. Combine half-and-half, sugar, extract, and a pinch of salt in the quart-sized bag. Seal it tight, getting all the air out.

3. Nestle the small bag of ice cream mixture into the large bag of ice, so that the ice surrounds it. Seal the large bag tightly.

4. Now shake, shake, shake it up! After about 5 minutes, your sweet treat will be ready to eat!

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23 Fun STEAM and STEM Activities for Kids

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Get your kids psyched about STEM and STEAM with interactive activities they can do at home. They'll be amazed to use science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a setting that feels nothing like school.

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To say I'm crazy about today's science art project is probably an understatement. My patio is now covered in rainbow coffee filters made by me and the kids. I love simple projects that demonstrate a variety of scientific concepts and today's project Rainbow Spin Mixing does just that twice over! Spin Mixing is not only a fun way to create lively art but it demonstrates color theory and a little physics at the same time. It's a lovely idea for a simple STEAM project you can put together quickly using materials you probably already have on hand.

This post contains affiliate links to products I love and recommend to my readers, plus it keeps this little blog o'mine afloat! Thank you!
Materials

Instructions

Step One Place two coffee filters in your salad spinner. Coffee filters are delicate so doubling up helps them hold the thick paint.

Step Two Squeeze a generous amount of red, yellow, and blue paint in the center of the filter. You can try squeezing it in concentric rings or next to each other.

Step Three Place the lid on your salad spinner and give it a good whirl. Open it up to see color magic! If desired add a second batch of one or two colors and spin again.

Step Four Remove filter and let dry

Voila! You should now have a filter with secondary colors on it too: green, purple, and orange. Depending on how much of each primary color and the order in which you added them you will get more or less of the secondary colors.

Tips

I tried to get a precise rainbow but never quite made it. For the closest approximation start with a small dollop of red at the center, followed by a circle of yellow, then blue, then another circle of red.

Prep these for an enhanced rainbow effect. If you are doing this in a group setting you can have the kids prepare their filters by squeezing on the colors and letting them sit briefly before putting them in the spinner. The longer they sit they start to dry and then the rainbow color created by spinning is more pronounced. Try letting them sit for 10-15 minutes before spinning.

Try mixing only two primary colors at a time to demonstrate how secondary colors are produced.

Don't use the salad spinner for food after this! It's best to purchase an inexpensive salad spinner for projects like this. Spin art is always fun so you will get good use out of it. Other spin art projects to try are Spin Art Rocks from Meri Cherry and Spin Art from the Artful Parent.

The science behind this project

Color Theory Most colors are derived from the three basic primary colors: red, yellow and blue. You only need these three colors to create a rainbow. By placing the three primary colors in the spinner and mixing them you can create a whole variety of hues. It's magical to watch green, orange, and purple appear in a matter of seconds. To explore more color theory hop over to our Play Dough Color Wheel Project.

Centrifugal Force Centrifugal Force is not a real force. I just want to get that out of the way because it is often talked about like a real force though it is actually a demonstration of inertia, which is the tendency of an object in motion to stay in motion. Centrifugal force describes the tendency of an object following a curved path to fly away from the center point. In spin mixing the colors at the center of the filter are pushed outward when the salad spinner rotates, causing the colors to mix together. The concept of centrifugal force is used for things like the famous carnival ride the Round-Up (see below), merry go rounds, and tetherball.

Looks Like

Frank Hrubetz. Frank Hrubetz was a mechanical engineer who founded the company Frank Hrubetz & Company, a manufacturer of several popular carnival rides that probably everyone has been on at least once in their life! One of the company's most famous rides is the Round-Up, the carnival ride in which passengers stand against a circular wall and the ride spins and lifts into the air. The ride exploits the concept of centrifugal force, passengers are pushed against the outer wall as the ride spins. If you want to see something cool check out the 1964 patent for one of Frank Hrubetz 's rides The Meteor which is similar to the Round-up ride.

Conclusion

Even if your kids are too little to understand the concepts in this science art project they will undoubtedly have fun squeezing the paint and making spin art. And if they are older you can talk about color theory and even the physics behind this project. Either way you'll have some lovely art to display and enjoy!

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To say I'm crazy about today's science art project is probably an understatement. My patio is now covered in rainbow coffee filters made by me and the kids. I love simple projects that demonstrate a variety of scientific concepts and today's project Rainbow Spin Mixing does just that twice over!

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Science meets fashion in these DIY glitter bracelets for kids! Yes, you read that correctly, science meets fashion! Did you ever think those two concepts could be combined in one kid's craft project? Neither did I, but when I found a lovely idea for making glitter tubes in one of my craft books, I decided they would also make great jewelry for kids!

An environmental word about glitter:

This post was originally published in 2013 when the dangers of microplastics were still vastly unknown to many folks. Since then there has been increased public awareness about the dangers of micro plastics like glitter. Glitter is a microplastic and because it is so tiny and sticks to hands most people end up washing it off. Where does that glitter go? Once it makes its way through the sewage system it usually ends up in the ocean. And that's terrible for marine life!

Microplastics are polluting our oceans and harming aquatic animals who end up ingesting them. Because of their size micro plastics are nearly impossible to filter out of waste water, so the best way to avoid them getting into the ocean is to stop using them entirely and/or avoid washing them into our water systems.

So what's a maker to do? Glitter makes so many projects irresistible and kids and adults love it! Here are some things you can do to use glitter responsibly:

Limit it: In my own maker space I have vastly limited the amount of glitter we use. I used to throw it into everything: crafts, slime, art projects you name it. Now I think twice about whether or not I really need to add glitter or if there is an alternative product I can use. My goal is to completely stop using glitter by year's end.

Clean-it up properly If you do use glitter DO NOT wash it down the drain! Use lint rollers or a wad of play dough to pick up bits and pieces of glitter on tables and work surfaces. Throw all glitter in the trash.

Use eco-glitter I have not tried this myself but there are bio-glitters on the market made from plant cellulose derived from eucalyptus trees. As of this writing it is quite expensive and made more for the cosmetics industry.

Find alternatives We'll be trying these bracelets at camp this summer using colored sand in lieu of the fine glitter. Glass seed beads and glass microbeads are other possible alternatives to look into.

In a nutshell before you use glitter think about wether there is a good alternative material. If there isn't, be sure that you properly clean up glitter so that it doesn't inadvertently end up in the ocean.

Now, in all fairness we made two versions of this project, one with a science twist and one that's just stinkin' cute. And since I often get carried away with variations I had to share both versions here with you!
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials

Plastic Tubing:

4 to 5 feet of 7/16″ Outer Diameter (OD) recommended. Plastic tubing is available at your local hardware store.

1 foot of tubing whose OD matches the Inner Diameter of the 7/16″ tubing- this will be the "plug" for the bracelet. It needs to be very snug. If you can't find matching tubes see the plug alternative below*

Large Glitter (your typical glitter, avoid using fine glitter)

Small Beads or Objects to fit within the tube (I used Perler beads)

Cooking Oil

Painters Tape

Clear Tape (optional)

Funnel

Water

Paper Towels

Instructions

Step One Cut your larger tubing: 8″ long for little folks' wrists and about 9-1/2″ long for adults.

Step Two Cut about an inch of smaller tubing for the plug. If you couldn't find tubing with the right diameter for the plug see below for an alternative*.

Step Three Fit the smaller tubing into one end of the larger tube. If you're having trouble, take some cooking oil and dab it on the end of the small tube. It should slide in the larger tube more easily.

Step Four Put a piece of painter's tape on the end of the plug.

Step Five Place the funnel on the other end of the large tube and tape around the connection point.

Step Six Fill it! The beads should be added one at a time so as not to get stuck in the end of the funnel. This is a great fine motor skills activity. Glitter can be shaken into the funnel. When the tube is half or three quarters full, stop.

Step Seven Remove the funnel and tape at both ends of the tubing. Make sure you are holding the tube in a "U" shape so the filling doesn't come spilling out.

Step Eight Add water! You'll want to place the large end of the tubing under a faucet and fill ever so slightly. Leave some air within the tube so the water can float around freely.

Step Nine Take the plug end of the tubing and wrap it around to meet the other end of the bracelet. Insert the plug. Use oil again if you are having a hard time.

Step Ten Dry off any excess water on the bracelet. You can place some clear tape around the connection point to prevent leakage. If you can get away without using tape the bracelet will look prettier, so get that connection snug! A reader also suggested using a dab of E5000 glue at the connection point to ensure a good seal. Thanks for the suggestion, Julia!

* Plug Alternative Cut a small piece (1/2″ to 1″) of the same sized tubing you are using for the bracelet to act as the plug. Now cut a slit down the length of this piece. Curl the tubing in on itself until it fits within the longer section of tubing. If it still doesn't fit, cut about an 1/8″ off the entire length of the tubing, then curl it in and insert. IMPORTANT You want this to be super snug so that it doesn't leak, so do you darnedest to squeeze it in there!

You're done! When you rotate the bracelet, the glitter and beads will float around the tubing. For fun variations add soap and or food coloring to the tube before sealing.

Where's the STEAM?

The Science

Our glitter tube bracelets are a simple way to illustrate density. The glitter floats freely around the tube because it is less dense and flat. It's shape and density make it easy for the water to push it around the tube. The beads are denser and have a hole in the center so they are harder for the water to push through the tube. If the beads and glitter were the same size you'd have the perfect science illustration BUT this is good for starters

The Engineering

This project illustrates tolerances. When engineers design products, they consider tolerances i.e how precise a measurement must be in order for the product to work properly. Smaller products must be must be built very precisely.I n the case of these glitter bracelets, if your plug's outer diameter does not match the bracelet tubing's inner diameter precisely you will have a watery mess when out try to close the bracelets up!

Okay so now that you've tackled the STEAM version of this project, ready to tackle the fancy one?

Materials

Plastic Tubing: 4 to 5 feet of thin tubing- 3/16″ OD or more

Fine Colored Glitter such as this neon set by Martha Stewart Or sue colored sand or colored salt.

Cooking Oil

Painters Tape

Paper

The main difference between this version and the last is that you will not be adding water. The smaller tubing is hard to fill and it only takes a small amount of glitter to completely fill these tubes. So just make them pretty!

Instructions

Step One Cut your tubing: 8″ for little folks and about 9 1/2″ long for adults.

Step Two Cut about a 1/2″ of tubing for the plug and insert it into one end of the long piece of tubing. See "Plug Alternative" directions above for how to do this*. Dab cooking oil on the plug to make it easier to insert.

Step Three Put a piece of painter's tape on the end of the plug.

Step Four Make a small funnel out of a paper scrap and tape it to the other end of the tube at the connection point.

Step Five Fill it! Shake your fancy glitter into the funnel. It won't take much to fill the small tube, a couple of shakes and you're good to go. Add as many colors as you want to create a design.

Step Six Make sure to gently shake the tube each time you add glitter so that it sinks to the bottom. Otherwise your colors will get mixed quickly.

Step Seven Remove the funnel and tape at both ends of the tubing. Make sure you are holding the tube in a U shape so the filling doesn't come spilling out.

Step Eight Take the plug end and wrap it around to meet the other end of the tubing. Plug. Use oil again if you are having a hard time inserting the smaller tube.

You're done! You don't really need to tape around the connection point unless you feel the tubing is going to come apart. The tape detracts from the design so use it only when necessary.

These are really sweet! I bet they could also be made with colored sand or colored salt ....I have to admit though, my daughter was more interested in dumping out glitter on the table and herself than into the funnel, though I did get a few good shots before the chaos ensued!

The good news is Miss Clara loved the results. She was seen wearing all the bracelets around our house at one point!

So there you have it, two versions of glitter tube bracelets, a fun craft and science project for kids. I've got a few more alternatives I want to try and will share here in the future!

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Science and Fashion for Kids: Totally Tubular Glitter Bracelets

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Science meets fashion in these DIY glitter bracelets for kids! Yes, you read that correctly, science meets fashion! Did you ever think those two concepts could be combined in one kid's craft project? Neither did I, but when I found a lovely idea for making glitter tubes in one of my craft books, I decided they would also make great jewelry for kids!

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Today we are getting a bit artsy with our science! Does the idea of making a wire sculpture that "dances" entice you......? Tiny Dancers is the third project in our collaborative series STEAM POWER: Empowering kids to explore the world through creative projects. Today's topic is HARNESS!

Because harnessing refers to making use of resources to produce energy we decided to try making a homopolar motor. A homopolar motor is probably the simplest DIY motor you can make. You need just a few easy to obtain items and it's FAIRLY simple to construct. Homopolar motors are not useful motors in anything but science experiments but they do demonstrate some interesting concepts and are fun to watch! They are also a great introduction to electricity and electromagnetism.

This post contains affiliate links to products I love and recommend to my readers.
SAFETY NOTE:
Neodymium magnets are extremely strong and MUST BE KEPT OUT OF REACH OF SMALL CHILDREN! Do not give them to any child who might put them in their mouth, they are dangerous if swallowed and must be surgically removed! This is a project for older children who can understand the precautions and I recommend ADULT SUPERVISION! For more about neodymium magnets safety and precautions go here Also please note that these motors do heat up. See our TIPS section for safety precautions. Additionally neodymium magnets can interfere with electronic devices so please keep them away from phones!
Note: Before we get started I want you to know that despite this looking very easy there is a fair amount of TWEAK TIME you will need to invest to make this project work! I recommend starting with a BASIC HOMOPOLAR MTOR to get the hang of how the motor actually works, then trying your hand at making a tiny dancer. Each dancer will need to be tweaked to get them to dance properly on a battery. Don't be discouraged if at first it doesn't work, keep tweaking and see our tips sections for some troubleshooting solutions.

Materials

Steps One Cut a long piece of wire off your spool, I started with about a 10" long piece. Lay it on the template of your choice and bend as shown using 3-in 1 tool or pliers. No need to be perfect HOWEVER try and keep your form as symmetrical as possible.

Step Two To create the base section of wire that wraps the magnets, I recommend bending the end of the wire around the battery. Remove the battery and gently widen the circular wire form with your fingers.

Step Three Place three neodymium magnets on the negative side of your battery.

Step Four Place the motor on top of the battery so that it touches the positive pole. The round section at the bottom of the motor must be low enough to encircle the magnets!

Step Five Let it go. If properly constructed it should start to spin. If it doesn't see our tips below.

Step Six (optional) to make a skirt for your dancer cut a small circle of crepe then cut a slit in the center of the circle. Slide it up onto the dancer and secure in place with a dab of hot glue.

Instructions

MONITOR THESE FOR HEAT! Some of the motors that got going really fast heated up quite quickly. If you notice a battery getting usually warm stop the project, let it cool down and remove the magnets. I recommend against reusing a battery that got overheated. Instead replace it with a fresh battery. One educator warned me about a defective battery that peeled open during this experiment. Please monitor the motors closely as they spin.

Start with your basic homopolar motor. It's easy to bend and shape and you should have success with it. The dancers require more time to fine tune.

Keep the forms as symmetrical as possible! Since they spin on an axis if the are not symmetrical and/or balanced they will spin off the battery! This happened to us all.the.time. If they do spin off try and bend the form slightly to get them balanced on the battery.

To make the head of the dancer, bend your wire around a pencil.

Thin wire does not work! We tried this with very thin copper wire at first and it did not work. Stick to heavier gauges. Here is the gauge we used.

The templates are meant as GUIDES ONLY! The motors will need to be fine tuned by hand by you!

Remove the magnets immediately after running your motor. They will drain your motor if kept attached.

When the electrical circuit is completed you will hear a very low buzz.

Tips

If the motor does not work try turning your magnets upside down and reversing the polarity. I found this did the trick most of the time.

The batteries burn out quickly! If turning the magnets upside down doesn't work, try replacing your battery with a new one.

Make sure that the bottom section of wire encircles the magnets. If it doesn't your motor will not work.

Be sure your wire is free to move around the battery and magnets. If it's too close to the battery or magnet it will get stuck and be motionless.

I read that you can use a nail to put a small indentation in the top of your battery to help keep the motor in place. I highly recommend AGAINST doing this. I tried it! One small and light dent worked and the next dent smashed a hole in the battery causing battery acid to spin on my counter! Eek! I decided off balance motors were better than battery acid splashes.

Troubleshooting

What's happening?

I'm going to keep this as simple as possible because let's face it, electromagnetism is hard to explain! Basically homopolar motors demonstrate something called a Lorentz Force. This is a force that is generated when electricity moves through a magnetic field. Our copper wire is conducting electricity from one end of the battery to the other. As it moves through the magnets on the negative side of the battery, it creates a force which causes the wire to spin.

You can read more about the Lorentz force and homopolar motors here and here.

Looks Like

Hendrik Lorentz. Hendrik Lorentz was a Nobel Prize winning Dutch physicist who inspired Albert Einstein! The Lorentz Force is named after him though he was not the first to discover its existence. In his early years Lorentz was primarily interested in studying electromagnetism and light. Albert Einstein used Lorentz's paper " On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies " as the basis of his own work and the theory of special relativity. It's super complex stuff but suffice it to say Lorentz 's studies of electromagnetism laid the groundwork for some of the most important scientific discoveries of the last century.

Ready for more projects that harness energy?
Simple Circuit - What Do We Do All Day Rubber Band Car - All for the Boys Lego Inspired Electric Dough - Lemon Lime Adventures Design Thinking - Meri Cherry Mason Jar Solar Night Lights - Tinkerlab Electromagnetic Train - Frugal Fun For Boys 10 Ways to Play & Learn with Springs - Left Brain Craft Brain
My fellow bloggers have done a wide variety of projects you have to check out!

If you are looking to incorporate more STEAM ideas into your family's creative day check out our STEAM Kids Book
Subscribe and get our projects delivered straight to your inbox.
Fill your child's life with more art, design, science, and engineering!

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STEAM Project: Tiny Dancers (A Homopolar Motor)

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Learn how to make both a basic homopolar motor and a tiny dancing motor! Great science fair project for older kids!

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Wood Bending Bracelet Craft- Magic or Science? | Figment Creative Labs

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My son is really into magic right now. He is constantly trying out his tricks with me… I mean constantly. So, I came up with a “trick” of my own. I handed him a large craft stick and said,” Can you bend this without breaking it?” He laughed, and […]

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Inflate a Balloon | Cool Dry Ice Experiments

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I am always on the lookout for interesting, engaging, and exciting ways to teach my kids.

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I thought I had finished sharing Olympic themed STEM activities, but I have come up with several more that I think your kids will enjoy. You have stopped by to see how to do the paper plate ski lift with a pulley, a magnetic figure skating activity, an interactive snowboarding craft, ski jumping straw rocket, and t he snowboarding halfpipe I in January. Today's STEM activity is called Creating the Olympic Flame in a Bottle.

This STEM activity was inspired by the fireworks in a jar activity shared on I Can Teach My Child. Your children will have fun placing flame-colored food coloring in a bottle and watching it fall.

Putting This STEM Activity Together

You will need to gather a few supplies for this activity. Each child will need the following:

Conducting the Flame in a Bottle Activity

You will want to go over the STEM printable with your children so they will know what they need to record.

Then children will need to put 4 Tablespoons of vegetable oil in a small container.

Next children will decide what colors they want to add to the oil to create the flame. They will place about two drops of each color they select into the container with the oil.

Then children will stir the mixture lightly with a fork. When they have finished stirring they will pour the mixture into a bottle filled about 3/4 up with warm water.

The food coloring will slowly separate from the oil and begin to slip into the water creating flame like flickers of color in the water.

The various colors of food coloring will drift down in their own flickers. They will mix together as they fall to form new colors.

Over time your children may see light and darker areas of the color. When you see the Olympic flame on T.V., you may see that too.

Besides seeing the cool flame colors in the jar, your children will see that the oil has stayed near the top of the bottom. Below you will see an explanation of why that happens.

Why the Food Coloring Droplets Fall

The food color drops fall into the oil in the small plastic container, but they don't dissolve. When the mixture is poured into the water bottle, the oil stays at the top. Oil is less dense than water. Slowly the food coloring drops start to drop from the oil because they are heavier than the oil. As the food coloring drops make their way into the oil, they start to dissolve. This caused the flicker or explosion of color.

Building Background

The links below are affiliate links.

Here are some wonderful children's books that have an Olympic theme. You may want to read one of them with your children before or after creating an Olympic flame in a bottle.

More Olympic-Themed Activities
Olympic Shot Put Catapult Static Electricity Olympic Flame Activity Gold Medal Painting Idea Olympic Straw Javelin Make Your Own Olympic Medals This activity is part of a series of 28 Days of STEAM and STEM activities. I am partnering with Left Brain Craft Brain and 29 other blogs to share with you almost 60 different activities. It is going to be a fun month. Please stop by my Facebook page. I will be featuring many of the STEM and STEAM activities there during the month.
(Visited 40,542 times, 13 visits today)

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STEM Activity- Creating the Olympic Flame in a Bottle

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This STEM activity invites kids to create a falling Olympic flame of food coloring in a bottle. A free activity printable is available on this post.

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Investigate the concepts of force and motion with fun and engaging hands-on STEAM activities for kids.

Opportunities for hands-on experimenting with various materials allows children to learn and extend their knowledge of Scientific concepts by integrating with other subjects.
STEAM is the traditional STEM + Art.
These STEAM activities are great extensions to further understand the concepts of force and motion.

With STEAM activities the final product of the activity is not as important as the process. Give children time to explore and experiment with the different types of force.
Let's investigate force & motion. What is force?
Force is the energy it takes to do work.

For example, if you push or pull an object, it takes energy to make the object move.
What is motion?
Motion is the change of position of an object because of the force that is applied.
Vocabulary:
Push - A force to move something away.

Pull - A force to move something closer to you.

Gravity - A force that attracts objects towards each other.

Magnetism - A force that pulls metal towards a magnet.

Push & Pull Painting

Explore the force of push and pull as you try to move paint to create a unique abstract work of art.
Materials:

White Cardstock Paper

Tape

Tray

Small size cardboard rectangles

Paint

Directions:
Tape your paper to your tray.

Dip your cardboard rectangle into the paint.

Push and pull the cardboard on your canvas to create a unique design. Experiment with different sizes of cardboard.

Repeat with other colors until you're satisfied with your design.

Gravity Painting

Gravity is what keeps people and objects on the ground and causes objects to fall toward the Earth. Experiment with how to use the Earth's gravitational pull to direct the paint on your canvas.
Materials:

White Foam board or Cardboard

Liquid Watercolors

Pipette or Eyedropper

Drop cloth

Directions:
1. Prep your workspace with a drop cloth. Prop your board against a table or easel.

2. Use a pipette or eyedropper to drip the paint at the top of your board.
What happens to the paint?
3. Experiment manipulating the drips by turning the board as the drips run down.
What happens to the paint if you turn the board?
Magnetic Painting

Explore magnetic force with this fun hands-on painting STEAM activity for kids.
Materials: Directions:
1. Tape your piece of white paper to the cookie sheet.

2. Place your small metal objects on the white paper and place the magnet on the underneath side of the cookie sheet. Experiment with moving the metal objects around the paper with the magnet.

3. Place a small squirt paint on the paper and u se the magnet to move the objects through and around the paint. Try moving the objects fast, slow, across the page or in circles.

STEAM activities for kids don't have to be complicated. With a few simple materials, you can start investigating your favorite ways to create force!
For more STEAM activities check out the links below: Pendulum Painting Made Easy Sweet Action Painting with Gumballs Chihuly Inspired Action Painting
This post is part of the 28 Days of STEM Activities hosted by Left Brain Craft Brain.

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Explore Force & Motion with STEAM Activities for Kids - Innovation Kids Lab

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Investigate the concepts of force and motion with fun and engaging hands-on STEAM activities for kids. Opportunities for hands-on experimenting with various materials allows children to learn and extend their knowledge of Scientific concepts by integrating with other subjects. STEAM is the traditional STEM + Art.

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Egg painting with vinegar? This is the most fun way of decorating hard boiled eggs with kids. A great STEAM project for science class too. It is a fun science craft activity combining science and art, and it started with an art app we were using to learn drawing. If you are STEM teacher, this is an ideal STEAM (Science Tech Engineer Art Math) project for kids. It is very easy. All you need are crayon and vinegar, and of course, eggs (preferably brown eggs).

Several Easters ago, I felt I should do something about Easter, but we had pretty much out grown all the egg activities. It seemed hard to find something about Easter egg to get a boy's interest. And then I came up the idea of using crayon to draw on eggs, based on what we learned from the app iLuv Drawing Monster, and then put the eggs in vinegar. It was mostly just me being curious about what was going to happen. In the end, it turned out pretty good. Most importantly, I had my ten year old into the mood of drawing and doing science experiments.
RELATED: 11 Fascinating Egg Science Experiments To Amaze Your Kids
Here is how we did it. First we picked a monster from iLuv Drawing Monsters and drew the monster in the app following the drawing instruction. Once we learned how to draw the monster, we draw it on eggs using crayon. While my son drew a monster, I drew a flower.

Note: you want the eggs be at room temperature, since the crayon won't work well on cold surface. Make sure the lines are thick, or the drawing won't show up well after soaking in vinegar.

We then put the eggs in vinegar for about an hour. While the rest of the egg shell was reacting with vinegar, the part covered by crayon did not. While waiting, we observed the little bubbles on the egg surface, and we were able to talk about the chemical reaction and where the air bubbles are from. It is the reaction between acetic acid in vinegar and the solid calcium carbonate in the egg shells. The result of the reaction is calcium ions and carbon dioxide, ie. the bubbles we saw.
RELATED: Successful Egg Drop Project Design with Straws
After soaking the eggs in the vinegar for about an hour, we took the eggs out, cleaned them. We then boiled the eggs. The crayon melted and came off the egg shell after boiling. However, the picture stayed on the egg! You can see from the image what it looks like after we cleaned the crayon off the egg. For better effect, you want to use brown eggs.

RELATED: Eco Egg Coloring Dye

I am glad we were able to use the app doing something not on the screen, and we were able to cover some art and science in one activity.

What did you do with some of the apps? Were you be able to do something not on the screen? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Looking for fun Egg learning activities? Check out:
Winning Egg Drop Project Design with Straws;
11 Fascinating Egg Science Activities for Kids;
10 Ways to Learn Math with Easter Eggs.

For more STEM Activities, visit 28 days of STEAM Challenge.

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Egg painting with vinegar? This is the most fun way of decorating hard boiled eggs with kids. A great STEAM project for science class too. It is a fun science craft activity combining science and art, and it started with an art app we were using to learn drawing.

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An online tool for creating word search puzzles which can be played instantly or printed out. Free to use with no registration required.

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By Ethan Miller

What's the most common problem that students complain about? Not remembering everything they have been taught in class. I've seen my students cringe when I say the two words 'Pop Quiz'. The response I hear all the time: " I can't remember what I studied!"

It's not just me. Every teacher discussion has a mention of how students forget what was taught to them. This is when students resort to 'rote memorization'.

Memorizing without understanding is not learning. The real learning and growth happens when the mind improves its capacity to understand and retain what's being taught. As teachers, we have to find ways to do just that. That's where retention and brain training come into play.

Brain training is a guided and targeted practice to improve specific cognitive abilities like memory, attention, problem solving, speed, flexibility, and most importantly, mindfulness. How do we do that? Well, we're lucky to be living in a time where kids have easy access to technology and can use it, in many cases, with more skill than most adults.

Enter online educational games and apps. These tools require students to use analytical thinking and combine challenges with rewards. Games are especially good at keeping students engaged and motivated to do well in order to score better.
12 Educational Games to Boost Productivity
Here are some tried and tested educational apps that can improve your memory and train your brain.
iOS and Android devices
The first app that comes to mind when I hear "brain training" is Lumosity. Lumosity is designed for complete cognitive development, with games that aim to sharpen memory, improve speed, attention, vocabulary, math, and problem solving skills.

Lumosity games are designed in such a way that playing one game can improve your performance in the other game. They call this the 'Transfer of learning.' There are many memory games to choose from and I specifically selected Pinball Recall, Memory Matrix, Familiar faces, and Memory Match Overdrive for my students.

Students can play and learn at their own pace as the Lumosity Brain Training program constantly challenges your brain by adjusting the difficulty as per your performance.
iOS devices
As the name says, this app is your students' personal guide to calming their mind and relieving stress. The game has two points of focus competing for attention: a happy sprite and an angry sprite. The player has to try and focus only on the happy sprite and trace its path as shown on the screen by using a finger.

The game is simple. It tests your students' attention and focus while the music soothes their mind. This learning retention app uses research-based therapy; results have proven to reduce stress and anxiety in participants and I ask my students to use it for 10 minutes everyday.
10 Ways to Motivate Stressed Students to Read iOS and Android devices
Cram is an application that allows students create flashcards to memorize what they learn. I'm not preaching rote memorization with flashcards here, but I recommend Cram because the technique used is one that helps students remember.

Cram mixes Leitner's system of learning with its multiple levels of testing called the "Cram Mode," where students pass through five levels of questioning for each set of flashcards. Teachers can collaborate with students, create tests, and rate the performance on the app.

Every flashcard set that you create also comes with its own version of the two Cram games 'Jewels of Wisdom' and 'Stellar Speller.'
iOS devices
Braingle is a brain exercise that challenges students with puzzles, brain teasers, optical illusions, and games. Besides improving the memory, it enhances vocabulary and builds creativity. Although there are many games to choose from, I specifically tell my students to play the Word Search, Sudoku, Code Breaker, and Math Path.

Braingle has an option to play multiplayer games so the students also learn how to work in groups.
iOS and Android devices
Cognifit helps to detect cognitive deficits in different age groups using it's carefully designed tests like Exploration, Estimation, Concentration, Sequencing, Speed, etc.

The app scientifically validates its games, with their research focussed on improving 26 important cognitive skills, including memory, concentration, planning, attention, etc.

The games can evaluate and adapt a user's performance in each level and plan their next difficulty levels accordingly. There are many free games that are available on the platform but my personal favourites are Mahjong, Cross roads, Sudoku, Word Quest, and Candy factory,

You'll experience an overall improvement in brain function among students by spending just 15 minutes playing these games everyday.
15 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Learning Retention iOS and Android devices
Elevate is your students' personal brain trainer helping to improve their brains' ability to acquire and retain knowledge in the long-term. Elevate starts by asking students a set of questions about their goals before asking a few more questions to assess skill sets such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, and math.

Once they're through with the quizzing part, it gives them a report called 'Your starting EPQ (Elevate Proficiency Quotient)'. The app then trains their brain with quiz-like games, asking questions on Discounting (Math), Processing sentences (Reading), Memory & Speaking.
Web only
Brainage is not a mobile app but a Nintendo-based game to increase focus and improve concentration levels in students. They've updated their brain training methods and it's now called the "Devilish training program."

There are eight types of training programs available: Devilish Calculations, Devilish Pairs, Devilish Mice, Devilish Reading, Devilish Shapes, Devilish Blocks, Devilish Cups, and Devilish Listening. Each training aims to improve your memory and concentration levels.

The games follow the n-back training technique with each of it's training methods keeping the players engaged and always on their toes. The games are challenging and interesting so the students will concentrate even more. The games adjust their difficulty based on the student's performance.
iOS and Android devices
Stress has a negative effect on health and memory. When the body is stressed, it's difficult to concentrate, form and retrieve memories; it's also harder to create short term memories and turn them into long term memories.

Happify is an app for anyone who wants to overcome stress and negative thoughts. As a student, there are a lot of small things that may trigger stress and negativity. Happify starts by analyzing students' emotional state by asking questions about age, personal interactions, nature, and health. It then creates a personal profile for each student.

According to this personal profile, 'Tracks' are designed to train their mind. These tracks have a set of games, fun activities, reading tasks, etc., to bring down stress and negativity.
iOS and Android devices
Mind Games is a strategically developed app with each game focused on developing a particular cognitive skill. It's easy to get lost in the wide array of games but by careful selection, I've picked out a few to train my students, including:

Attention Training and Memory Racer to improve focus and speed, Memory Flow and Word Memory for verbal memory, Vocabulary Star for knowledge, and Similarities Scramble for verbal reasoning.

The application also has a customizable training centre with chosen games to improve your brain skills.
iOS devices
Memory Birds is yet another simple game for kids below the age of 11. This game also works on the n-back system of memory training where candidates are presented with a sequence of birds in continuous steps and they have to recall the sequence that was 1 step, 2 step, or n steps back.

Memory Birds has 24 levels that get unlocked step-by-step as the player completes each level.

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10 Awesome Apps to Improve Learning Retention

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By Ethan Miller What's the most common problem that students complain about? Not remembering everything they have been taught in class. I've seen my students cringe when I say the two words 'Pop Quiz'. The response I hear all the time: " I can't remember what I studied!" It's not just me.

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Gamify Your Classroom
Learning can be Fun

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Choose from templates for many different games. You enter your content in a game format of your choice: Baseball, Build Your Fortune, Matching, Tic-Tac-Toe, Jeopardy, Hangman, LearningLand, Quiz, Game Show, Bingo, TimeOut, and Spin to Win. Students can play from any computer, tablet, or smart phone.

You decide how long the game should be by the number of questions you enter. Depending on the game you choose, you can enter questions that require answers that are multiple choice, true/false, matching, or essay.

Students receive immediate feedback and can play the game as often as they wish.

Get Started

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Choose from templates for many different games. You enter your content in a game format of your choice: Baseball, Build Your Fortune, Matching, Tic-Tac-Toe, Jeopardy, Hangman, LearningLand, Quiz, Game Show, Bingo, TimeOut, and Spin to Win. Students can play from any computer, tablet, or smart phone.

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13 Useful Words to Study for Upper Primary School Students - Higher Flashcards | Quizlet

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Start studying 13 Useful Words to Study for Upper Primary School Students - Higher. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

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HTML5 Crossword Generator: "Tutti Fruity: What Am I?"

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Classtools.net Home | Premium Login | Facebook Fanpage | PowerSearch | Contact

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Memory Game: Match Them (language - phonics - letters)

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Learning Resources (Memory Game): Match Them (language - phonics - letters) - match the letter with the picture

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This is a quiz called FUN MATHS and was created by member clara.r

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"FUN games refering to rhyming " - ClassTools.net

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Classtools.net Home | Premium Login | Facebook Fanpage | PowerSearch | Contact

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Easier and more flexible so you can make it with the letter of the topic, with the name of your company, and with any alphabet The new version of Educaplay&#39;s Alphabet Game breaks the structure with each letter arranged alphabetically and allows you to do it your way. You can create a game with the letters you want: the topic of your game (for example, "MARKETING"), the name of your organization, that of your favorite person, or with whatever comes to your mind. The update accepts charact...

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Educaplay: Free educational games generator

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Create your own educational resources from scratch, or from one of our 5 million+ games.

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Create your own custom worksheets with our worksheet generator. Our worksheet generator helps you make personalized word searches, crossword puzzles, and more.

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Free and Simple Tool to Create, Download, Distribute and Monetize Your App

Create app and make up to $1000 monthly passive income.

Absolutely free forever. No monthly charges, fees or paid features.

No coding skills required: 30+ app templates to build Android application in 2 minutes

Easy tutorials and weekly updated knowledge base: We have multiple step-by-step guides on app creation, publication and promotion.

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FREE App Creator. Create Apps for Android without Coding.

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Free and Simple Tool to Create, Download, Distribute and Monetize Your App Create app and make up to $1000 monthly passive income. Absolutely free forever. No monthly charges, fees or paid features. No coding skills required: 30+ app templates to build Android application in 2 minutes Easy tutorials and weekly updated knowledge base: We have multiple step-by-step guides on app creation, publication and promotion.

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Create Your Own Game - ProProfs Game Maker

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Create your own games with ProProfs Game Maker. Print or play online.

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"I love all of the information about student performance I get as a teacher. It helps me to quickly identify stronger students and weaker students, as well as concepts at the class level that students struggle with. Thank you so much for providing such a useful platform for teachers to use to engage our students and measure their performance!!"

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Quizalize - The best quiz platform for remote or real classrooms that delivers game-changing results

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Engage your class with fun, standards-tagged quizzes. Get instant data on student mastery. Automatically differentiated follow-up activities.

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Kahoot! | Learning games | Make learning awesome!

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Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that brings engagement and fun to 1+ billion players every year at school, at work, and at home.

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The Institute of Play has released a white paper called "Psychometric Considerations in Game-Based Assessment", it is a work of multidisciplinary scholarship. It's also the first publication of multidisciplinary collaboration. GlassLab brings together game designers, learning scientists, and psychometricians from Institute of Play, the Entertainment Software Association, Electronic Arts, Educational Testing Service, Pearson's Center for Digital [...]

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Quiz Tools for 21st Century Teachers - Classroom Aid

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1-to-1 App creation authentic learning big data blended learning coding connectivism Critical Thinking digital classroom digital education digital learning Digital Literacy digital publishing digital storytelling digital textbook digital tools education education technology Experience API flipped classroom future education game-based learning Game Design gamification of education gamify learning gaming higher education iPad learning analytics mobile learning mobile learning design Mooc OER online education open education open textbook pedagogy personalized learning science serious game student-centered learning teaching with technology web2.0 tools xAPI youth

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Russel Tarr, International School of Toulouse

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ClassTools.net: Create your own interactive learning resources

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Dozens of templates, quiz generators and learning tools for use in the classroom

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There are hundreds of places to find educational games and quizzes on the Internet. That said, sometimes you still cannot find quite what you're looking for. In those cases you're better off creating your own games. Here are seven good tools you and your students can use for creating games.

Sharendipity makes it possible for students and teachers to quickly create and share simple video games. Sharendipity's drag and drop creation tools can be used to create a game in as few as four steps. For new Sharendipity users the tutorials provide clear directions and helpful game ideas. Games created on Sharendipity can be embedded in your blog or website. Now offline.

ClassTools.net is a free service teachers can use to create their own educational games. Games made on ClassTools.net can be shared via email or embedded into a blog or website. (Yet another reason for having a class website or blog). ClassTools.net provides fifteen easy to use templates with which teachers can make educational games for their students. There are also pre-made games on ClassTools.net which teachers will find useful.

Purpose Games is a free service that allows users to create custom games, share games, and play games. There are two styles of games that you can create and play on Purpose Games. The simpler of the two styles is a fairly basic multiple choice game. The other style uses images and maps on which players have to name the places represented by placemarks on the image or map. For an example, try this game about the skeletal system. Purpose Games gives game creators the option to make their games public or private. If you select the private option, only the people to whom you send invitations will be able to play your game.

What 2 Learn is a website offering more than two thousand educational games for middle school and high school age students. If that library doesn't have what they're looking for, teachers can create custom games using twelve different templates provided by What 2 Learn. What 2 Learn also offers teachers the option to monitor their students' scores. What 2 Learn is a European based website so some of the games, particularly the math games where money is expressed as Euros and Pounds, may not be appropriate for US students. Aside from that most games are appropriate for use with US students.

Jeopardy Labs is a free service you can use to create your own online Jeopardy game. Jeopardy Labs provides a blank template on which to build your game. You do not need to register in order to build your own game. However, if you want to be able to edit your game at a later point you will want to create a password before you create your game. When completed your game is given its one unique url. Post that url on your blog, wiki, or website and anyone can then play your game.

ProProfs Brain Games allows you to build interactive crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, hangman games, and sliding puzzle games. The games you create can be embedded into your blog or shared via email, Twitter, Facebook, or Myspace. If you don't want to take the time to create your own game, you can browse the gallery of games. All of the games in gallery can be embedded into your blog.

Here are some related items that may be of interest to you:
35+ Educational Games
25 More Educational Games
32 Puzzles and Logic Games

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Seven Ways to Build Your Own Educational Games

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There are hundreds of places to find educational games and quizzes on the Internet. That said, sometimes you still cannot find quite what you're looking for. In those cases you're better off creating your own games. Here are seven good tools you and your students can use for creating games.

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Helping Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online.

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Mama and the Missing Shrews Story | Story | Education.com

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In this adorable counting story, kids follow along as mama finds her babies one by one, practicing counting along from 11 to 20.

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Can a calculator make you smarter? The QAMA calculator can. You use it just like a regular calculator, plugging in the numbers of the problem you want to solve - but QAMA won't give you the answer until you provide an accurate estimate of what that answer will be.

If your estimate is way off, you'll have to go back to the problem and see where you went wrong. If your estimate is close, QAMA (developed by Ilan Samson, an "inventor-in-residence" at the University of California, San Diego) will serve up the precise solution, and you can compare it to your own guess. Either way, you'll learn a lot more than if you simply copied the answer that a calculator spit out.

Ever since journalist Nicholas Carr posed a provocative question - "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"- in a widely-read 2008 Atlantic magazine article, we've been arguing about whether the new generation of digital devices is leading us to become smarter, or stupider, than we were before. Now psychologists and cognitive scientists are beginning to deliver their verdicts. Here, the research on an array of technological helpers:

Calculators

Cognitive scientists long ago identified the "generation effect" - the fact that we understand and remember answers that we generate ourselves better than those that are provided us (by a calculator, for instance). But a study published last year in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that adults who tried to solve arithmetic problems on their own but then obtained the answer from a calculator did just as well on a later test as those who didn't use calculators at all. If you don't have a QAMA calculator around, you can approximate its effects by holding off using a traditional calculator until you've tried to come up with a solution yourself.

Auto-complete

Frequent users of smartphones quickly get used to the "auto-complete" function of their devices - they need only type a few letters and the phone fills in the rest. Maybe too used to it, in fact. This handy function seems to make adolescent users faster, but less accurate, when responding to a battery of cognitive tests, according to research published in 2009 in the journal Bioelectromagnetics.

Texting

A study led by researchers at the University of Coventry in Britain surveyed a group of 8- to 12-year-olds about their texting habits, then asked them to write a sample text in the lab. The scientists found that kids who sent three or more text messages a day had significantly lower scores on literacy tests than children who sent none. But those children who, when asked to write a text message, showed greater use of text abbreviations (like "c u l8r" for "see you later") tended to score higher on a measure of verbal reasoning ability - likely because the condensed language of texting requires an awareness of how sounds relate to written English.

Search engines

The ready availability of search engines is changing the way we use our memories, reported psychologist Betsy Sparrow of Columbia University in a study published in Science in 2011. When people expect to have future access to information, Sparrow wrote, "they have lower rates of recall of the information itself and enhanced recall instead for where to access it." It's good to know where to find the information you need - but decades of cognitive science research shows that skills like critical thinking and problem-solving can be developed only in the context of factual knowledge. In other words, you've got to have knowledge stored in your head, not just in your computer.

Email

Email is a convenient way to communicate, but trying to answer messages while also completing other work makes us measurably less intelligent. Glenn Wilson, psychiatrist at King's College London University, monitored employees over the course of a workday and found that those who divided their attention between email and other tasks experienced a 10-point decline in IQ. Their decrease in intellectual ability was as great as if they'd missed a whole night's sleep, and twice as great as if they'd been smoking marijuana. For every technological trap, however, there's a technological solution: when you need to get work done, use Freedom or another such program that will shut down your access to the Internet for a predetermined period of time.

Websites

Back in 2001, reading specialists Anne Cunningham and Keith Stanovich reported in the Journal of Direct Instruction that scores on a test of general knowledge were highest among people who read newspapers, magazines, and books, and lowest among those who watched a lot of TV. Watching television, they noted, is "negatively associated with knowledge acquisition" - except when the TV watching involved public television, news, or documentary programs. Cunningham and Stanovich didn't look at Internet use, but the same information divide exists online: high-quality, accurate information, and, well, fluff.

So does technology make us stupid, or smart? The answer is "both," and the choice is up to us.
Reprinted with permission from The Brilliant Blog.

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Will technology make your student smarter? | Parenting

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Can a calculator make you smarter? The QAMA calculator can. You use it just like a regular calculator, plugging in the numbers of the problem you want to solve - but QAMA won't give you the answer until you provide an accurate estimate of what that answer will be.

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Is Technology making children dumber or smarter?

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Is Technology making children dumber or smarter?

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In the years since the Internet evolved from a simple string of phone-networked military computers to today's news, communications, and entertainment juggernaut, experts have debated its impact on our daily lives.

There's no denying the Internet has forever transformed the ways in which we share information, build a business presence, form relationships and entertain ourselves, but are the children of today-the first generation to grow up in an "always on" world-suffering unforeseen consequences of the digital revolution?

A Qualified Yes

The answer is a somewhat qualified "yes." While society has historically regarded any new technology with suspicion and concern, a cursory review of contemporary research reveals that today's kids-immersed almost from birth in both the virtual world and the real one-are acquiring an unsettling set of behaviors that might mean trouble down the line.

One such potentially disturbing behavior is the early adoption of multitasking.

Although valued in the adult workplace as a productivity aid, in infants and toddlers, multitasking can actually hamper the development of concentration and interpersonal communication.

Whereas toddlers used to pass an afternoon stacking blocks or finger painting with friends, today many are learning their numbers with an animated app or creating their latest masterpiece on their parents' iPad. In addition to missing out on motor skill development, these kids are losing critical interactions with parents and other children-interactions necessary for the development of healthy relationships and interpersonal engagement later in life.

Short-Circuiting Young Brains

It's not just the potential loss of real-world skills that's short-circuiting young brains. Stacked up against the shiny wonders of the virtual world, everyday tasks like reading, chatting, and even sports and games can seem dull and pointless.

Internet addiction can modify the brains of young children at the time their minds are most malleable, leaving them vulnerable to a host of antisocial behaviors and other health concerns later in life.

The Internet is undoubtedly a modern marvel. But in a world where many parents regard the Internet as combination playground and parenting aid, moderation may prove more important than innovation.

And for children growing up in a plugged-in culture, a successful and happy future in the world of tomorrow may require spending more time in the real world today.

The Internet is Marking Our Children Stupid

By middle school, kids spend more time with digital media than parents or teachers

By age 2, more than 90% of American children have an online history

By age 5, more than 50% regularly use a computer or a tablet

95% of teens 12-17 go online

49% use their mobile phones to go online

80% of online teens are on social media sites

Negative Effects of The Internet

Shorter Attention Span: On average, people's attention spans have dropped over the last 10 years, from 12 minutes 10 years ago, to 5 minutes today.

Skimming: Lack of in-depth reading makes one a jack of all trades, master of none.

Cognitive Overload: Browsing from one page to another may lead to important information being glossed over.

Multi-tasking: Learning isn't as effective or efficient when multitasking.

Instant Gratification

76% of educators agree that search engines have conditioned students to expect to find information quickly and easily.

94% of teachers say their students equate research with Google and other search engines.

Wikipedia comes a close second, with 75% of teachers citing the site

How to Counter These Negative Effects
Limit Internet Use
There's no cut and dried number, but parents should enforce some sort of limit.
Help Them Develop Emotional Intelligence
Engage in meaningful conversations. Ask questions such as "What would you do if...?". Encourage them to express their feelings.
Encourage Other Interests
Expose children to non-Internet activities: get them out of the house, encourage them to meet real people, take them places.
Take an active role in their Internet use
Monitor what web sites they like to visit, and encourage the use of educational games and apps.

Sources

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Is The Internet Making Our Children Stupid?

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In the years since the Internet evolved from a simple string of phone-networked military computers to today's news, communications, and entertainment juggernaut, experts have debated its impact on our daily lives.

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Teaching strategies - how can tech assist

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Teaching strategies - how can tech assist

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Here at Getting Smart, we're enthusiastic about the future of learning. We believe in sharing innovative ways to improve the teaching of students and leading of schools and districts in order to inspire anyone seeking to better their work.

However, we also recognize that many (if not most) educators are just beginning to grapple with how to adapt their practice to the shifting needs of the future. For those just getting started in the world of education innovation and improvement, we've created this overview of what we feel are five of the most important new teaching methods making a positive impact on students' learning in the modern world.

Personalized Learning

Personalized learning isn't terribly complicated in theory-at it's core, it's the idea that the "average" student (whom educators have traditionally designed curriculum for) doesn't actually exist. Any given student will be somewhere near "average," but the description can never give an individual student everything they may need. Personalized learning is a practice in which educators seek to tailor challenge, lessons and instructional style to each student's needs.

Where it gets complicated is in the implementation. EdTech enables some wonderful new ways to monitor where students are at (we recently highlighted one teacher's journey), but EdTech and effort alone aren't enough. You need ways to measure success (both of the tools used and overall strategy-see our recent series on pilot design for personalized learning), and the end results will take a number of shapes (see 15 Dimensions of Personalized Learning and 8 Things to Look for in a Student-Centered Learning Environment).

However, personalizing learning is a worthy challenge. Networks like Silicon Schools see great success through rigorous and well-managed approaches to personalized learning.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

The Gig Economy has arrived, and education as a whole has been slow to catch up. Today's students are in for a quickly-changing future that will require uniquely human skills, adaptability, a knack for asking the right questions and the ability to manage both projects and people.

The common concerns related to PBL center around an assumption that a lack of focus on standard subject matter must be inherent in PBL, and that it won't prepare students for college and career. However, these concerns are largely unfounded.

Teachers have a unique role in PBL, in that in many ways they become collaborators and coaches rather than instructors as they help their students navigate their challenging projects. If you're interested in learning more, we put together a guide that can help you get started. New Tech Network also provides a great example.

Place-Based Education

What is Place-Based Education, and Why Does it Matter? This was the exact question we found ourselves asking when we first started our campaign on the subject over a year and a half ago.

We all know that it's valuable to take time out of the classroom. We at Getting Smart also advocate for the value of beautiful shared spaces. Place-Based Ed takes this all a step further, with a focus on integrating schools and communities by leveraging the "power of place" in order to equip-through authentic learning experiences-students with the tools and skills they need to collaborate, think critically and solve complex challenges. Place-Based Ed boosts student engagement, connects students to their communities in an age fraught with feelings of disconnectedness, and improves learning.

We put together a Quick-Start Guide to Place-Based Education to help educators dip their toes in the place-based waters.

Formative Assessment

Formative Assessment is perhaps the lightest lift of this list for a teacher to begin incorporating into their practice. Formative assessment differs fundamentally from traditional summative assessment in that it is designed to provide the information necessary to make minor "course corrections" along the way, rather than judge whether or not a student "reached their goal" at the end of a unit.

It can be significantly less stressful (both for teachers and students) than summative assessment, and it is an important part of personalized learning and competency-based learning.

If you're interested in formative assessment, stay tuned for October 19-we've been working with the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and a few other partners to set up a great web-based resource.

Maker Education

Maker education exists at the intersection of STEM, creative projects and a "get **** done" attitude, and it's all about giving your students a chance to engage their creative sides while having something cool (and often, though not always, tech-related) to show for it.

Many teachers find they really enjoy incorporating some "making" time into their weekly schedules, and there are limitless unique options to applying Maker Ed to the various subject areas.

If you're looking for helpful resources, check out our list of three steps to get started, 10 things you wouldn't think you'll need and a list of 40 STEM networks and maker resources. If you want a fun first step after building a space, consider holding a Rube Goldberg Machine contest.

There are a million new and effective modern things teachers can try in their classrooms. These are just a few, but we think they're a great way to get going. And if you are just getting started on the journey of innovative education practices, we'd love to be by your side-if you'd like a weekly dose of education news along with the best of Getting Smart, consider signing up for our newsletter.
Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update . This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures, please see our Partner page
And, for more ideas, see:

Erik manages projects for Getting Smart's strategic advisory partnerships. With a system-oriented outlook and a background in marketing and communication, he oversees the details that ensure our partners' initiatives are powerful and effective. Follow him on Twitter @ErkDay.

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5 New Teaching Methods Improving Education | Getting Smart

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Here at Getting Smart, we're enthusiastic about the future of learning. We believe in sharing innovative ways to improve the teaching of students and leading of schools and districts in order to inspire anyone seeking to better their work.

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Many parents want to know how much time their kids should be spending in front of screens, whether it's their smartphones, tablets or TV.

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics had suggested a limit of two hours a day of TV for children and teens.

But after screen time started to include phones and tablets, these guidelines needed an update. So last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed its recommendations: No more than one hour of screen time for children ages 2 to 5; for older children and teens, they caution against too much screen time, but there's no specific time limit.

This may give the impression that preschoolers are the only ones who need specific limits on screen time, with monitoring less important for older children and teens. Then a study came out last year suggesting that the imperative to monitor screen time for preschoolers may be overblown.

However new research conducted by me and my co-author Keith Campbell challenges the idea that vague directives and loose guidelines are the best approach.

Not only does this study suggest that specific time limits on screen time are justified for preschoolers, it also makes the case for screen time limits for school-age children and teens.

In fact, these older kids and teens may be even more vulnerable to excessive screen time.

A study muddies the waters

Several studies have found that children and teens who spend more time with screens are less happy, more depressed, and more likely to be overweight.

But a study released last year muddied the waters. Using a a large national survey conducted from 2011 to 2012, it found little association between screen time and well-being among preschoolers.

This led some to conclude that screen time limits weren't important.

"Maybe you're being too strict with your kid's screen time," suggested one headline.

However, this analysis examined just four items measuring well-being: how often the child was affectionate, smiled or laughed, showed curiosity and showed resilience - characteristics that might describe the vast majority of preschool children. This study also didn't include school-age children or teens.

Diving into a more detailed data set

Fortunately, a version of that large survey conducted in 2016 by the U.S. Census Bureau included 19 different measures of well-being for children up to age 17, giving researchers a more comprehensive view of well-being across a range of age groups.

In our newly released paper using this expanded survey, we found that children and teens who spent more time on screens scored lower in well-being across 18 of these 19 indicators.

After one hour a day of use, children and teens who spent more time on screens were lower in psychological well-being: They were less curious and more easily distracted, and had a more difficult time making friends, managing their anger and finishing tasks.

Teens who spent an excessive amount of time on screens were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

That's a problem, because this generation of teens, whom I call " iGen," spends an extraordinary amount of time on screens - up to nine hours a day on average - and are also more likely to suffer from depression.

In fact, we found that excessive screen time had stronger links to lower well-being for teens than it did for younger kids.

That might be because children spend more of their screen time watching TV shows and videos. This kind of screen use is not as strongly linked to low well-being as the social media, electronic games and smartphones used more often by teens.

These results suggest that it is teens - not young children - who may be most in need of screen time limits.

The case for clear guidelines

This research is correlational. In other words, it isn't clear whether more screen time leads to depression and anxiety, or that someone who's depressed or anxious is more likely to spend more time in front of screens.

Either way, excessive screen time is a potential red flag for anxiety, depression and attention issues among children and teens.

If we even suspect that more screen time is linked to depression and lower well-being - as several longitudinal studies find - it makes sense to talk about limits.

Right now, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the screen time of older kids and teens shouldn't come at the expense of sleep, extracurricular activities and schoolwork. Parents should add up the amount of time teens spend on these other activities, they say, and whatever's left could be spent in front of screens.

This suggestion is problematic for several reasons.

First, how can a parent be expected, each day, to calculate how many hours their kid spends on these activities? What about shifting schedules and weekends?

Second, it places few limits on teens who don't spend much time on homework or activities, and could even motivate kids to drop activities if they figure it could mean more allotted time for, say, playing video games.

Even if sleep isn't affected and homework is done, it's probably safe to say that playing Fortnite for eight hours a day or scrolling through social media feeds during every free moment probably isn't healthy.

Parents need clear advice, and specific screen time limits are the most straightforward way to provide it.

The research on well-being, including this new study, points to a limit of about two hours a day of leisure screen time, not counting time spent on schoolwork.

In my view, The American Academy of Pediatrics should expand its recommendation of screen time limits to school-age children and teens, making it clear that two hours a day is a guideline with flexibility for special circumstances. Some parents may want to set a limit of one hour, but two hours seems more realistic as an overall guideline given teens' current use.

Two hours a day also allows for many of the benefits of screen time for kids and teens - making plans with friends, watching educational videos and keeping in touch with family - without displacing time for other activities that provide a boost to well-being, like sleep, face-to-face social interaction and exercise.

Technology is here to stay. But parents don't have to let it dominate their kids' lives.

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New findings add twist to screen time limit debate

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Many parents want to know how much time their kids should be spending in front of screens, whether it's their smartphones, tablets or TV. For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics had suggested a limit of two hours a day of TV for children and teens.

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Dumbing it down, what its doing for our children

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Dumbing it down, what its doing for our children

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In the 1980s, Australia started calling itself "the clever country". Not just a lucky place blessed by minerals, climate and farmland, but a place of innovation and inventiveness, all backed by a sparkling education system.

But an international schools study released this week has fuelled fears that after years of neglect and ill-conceived strategy, the country is steaming towards an education crisis, which could leave future Australians lagging behind the rest of the world.

The quadrennial Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) shows Australia's ranking in these subjects has tumbled since 1995, to sit below countries like Kazakhstan, Cyprus and Slovenia.

The study, of Year Four and Year Eight students, shows that since the 2011 TIMSS, Australia has dropped from 12th to 17th for both Year Eight maths and science, and from 18th to 28th for Year Four maths. Its rank in Year Four science was unchanged at 25th. TIMSS studied Year Eights from 39 countries, and Year Fours from 49 nations.

Kazakhstan, with a per capita GDP one fifth of Australia's, ranked well below Australia in 2011, but is now between eighth and 12th in the four categories.

The study, not the first to show educational declines here, has sparked alarm, with many calling it a result of Australians not taking education seriously enough. Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham called the results disappointing, while still managing to make a joke of it.

"I don't want to denigrate Kazakhstan, or indeed their artistic skills with movies like Borat," he said, referring to Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy about a fictional reporter from the country.

"I think, though, Australia should be seeking to be amongst the best in the world and declines like this are unacceptable, and that we need to be working hard to turn it around."

The blame game

Critics say the apparent dumbing-down is Australian society's own making, that too much emphasis on pursuits such as sport, and an outdoorsy culture, has long compromised the regard for academic endeavours like science and maths. Since the Australian of the Year award began in 1960, five have been scientists, while 14 have come from sport.

Some blame teachers while others blame governments for not adequately paying teachers. More, however, blame governments and educationists for policies they say have had predictable results.

Singapore tops global education rankings

10 ways to be the cleverest country

Sharing grades to fight 'exam-shaming'

In 2001, Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, dropped the requirement for students to study maths or science to graduate from senior high school. Three others among the eight states and territories mirrored that step, while the rest require very minimal study of the two subjects compared with other countries.

"What message does that send to students?" Rachel Wilson, senior lecturer in educational assessment and evaluation at the University of Sydney, told the BBC.

"It's a reflection of Australia not valuing these skills. There's evidence that a lot of students now drop out of maths and science as soon as they can, and that's frightening, because those skills are fundamental in the modern world. Unfortunately in Australia there seems to be a lot of resistance to the realities of the new world."

In a recent co-authored report Dr Wilson said the number of students studying no maths for high school graduation in NSW had trebled since 2001. Before then, more than 98% of high school graduates studied some sort of maths. By 2014, the rate had fallen to 90.7% for boys, and only 78.6% for girls. Though less dramatic, there were also declines in science participation, such as in physics - 24% to 17%.

In a knock-on effect, roughly 40% of maths classes in Australia from Years Seven to Ten were now taught without a qualified maths teacher, Dr Wilson said. Also, university entrance scores to study teaching remained among the lowest.

"England introduced teacher standards tests in 1998 that all teachers had to pass in their first year," she said. "Australia has only started doing that now, and it's still set the bar pretty low."

'Australia needs to do something'

The apparent Australian malaise sparked debate on social media.

Under an article posted on Facebook, Arjun Swaminathan wrote: "Unlike most people here, I don't blame the government or teachers. I blame ordinary Australians and their lack of respect for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. There's a reason why the top classes in maths and science in high schools are full of kids with Asian ancestry and it isn't because their brains are any bigger but because their parents fostered a culture of education."

Sydney parent Rowena Lam said the TIMSS results reflected those of her child, in Year Five in a NSW government school.

"When she did a nationwide maths exam, her results were great," Mrs Lam told the BBC. "When she did an international test, she crashed. Her school had covered only one of the five areas tested. The students who did well all had after-hours coaching. Australia needs to really do something about this."

Highlighting the importance of STEM education in the modern world, Dr Wilson cited a study by Sydney's Macquarie University on the relationship between education and global competitiveness. Economic data from 63 countries showed strong correlations between a country's competitiveness and maths ability (50% shared variance) and reading and science (53%).

Dr Wilson said a major problem was ill-directed funding.

While funding had more than doubled since 1995, it had shown no impact. Australia's funding system was over-complicated by the involvement of both federal and state governments, she said. Hence, funding often did not reach schools most in need.

There had also been greater growth in federal funding to private schools, which have around 40% of students, than government schools.

It was not all doom and gloom, however.

"This country does have the resources to address this issue and turn it around," Dr Wilson said. "We need strong political leadership, with a 10 to 15 year strategy on education, rather than the knee-jerk policy we've had.

"We need to lift the status of teachers in a social sense, encourage people into what is a very noble and rewarding profession, and pay teachers who excel enough to stay in the classroom, rather than become principals or policy-setters."

Recruiting excellent teachers from other countries was another option, she said.

Before retiring this year, Australia's Chief Scientist Prof Ian Chubb also bemoaned the STEM education. Fittingly, perhaps tellingly, he felt it best to use a sporting analogy.

"If Australian science was a cricket team," he said, "you might say we've got a few great players but the team is average."

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In the 1980s, Australia started calling itself "the clever country". Not just a lucky place blessed by minerals, climate and farmland, but a place of innovation and inventiveness, all backed by a sparkling education system.

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AAP/Dan Peled

The preliminary results of NAPLAN 2017 are out, and the news isn't good. The annual test of our students' literacy and numeracy skills shows that not much has changed since 2011, coincidentally - or not - when we began this annual circus of public reporting of NAPLAN results.

In fact, it seems our kids are actually getting dumber - at least as measured by the NAPLAN tests.

Going backwards

The year's Year 9 students first sat the test back in 2011 when they were in Year 3, so we can now track the cohort's performance over time.

It is particularly useful to track their performance against the writing assessment task, as all the grade levels are marked against the same ten assessment criteria. Depending upon how they perform against each assessment criterion, they are assigned a Band level - ranging from Band 1, the lowest, to Band 10, the highest.

The minimum benchmark shifts for each year level, because we would expect a different minimum level of writing performance for 16-year-olds than we would of ten-year-olds. So, in Year 3 the minimum benchmark is Band 2, and in Year 9 it is Band 6.

A gifted and talented Year 3 student could easily achieve a Band 6 or above, and it is conceivable a struggling Year 9 student may only reach a Band 2.

This year, a staggering 16.5% of Year 9 students across Australia were below benchmark in writing. Back in 2011, when those students were in Year 3, only 2.8% of them were below benchmark. Somehow we dropped the ball for thousands of those kids as they progressed through school.

The high-performing states of New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT cannot claim immunity from this startling increase in students falling behind as they progress through school. Their results show exactly the same trends. This is a nationwide problem.

It gets worse

Not only are the numbers of low-performing students increasing, but the inverse is occurring for our high-achieving students: their numbers decrease as they move through school.

This year, only 4.8% of Year 9 students across Australia performed far above the minimum benchmark - that is, at a Band 10 level. However, back in 2011, 15.7% of those same students were performing far above the minimum benchmark for Year 3 - that is, at a Band 6 or above.

The trend is strikingly similar across all the jurisdictions. As NSW congratulates itself on improving its Year 9 results, it might want to look a little closer to see what the figures are really saying.

In 2011 an impressive 20% of NSW Year 3 students were far above benchmark in writing. But by the time they had reached Year 9 this year, the number of them who were far above the benchmark had dwindled to a depressing 5.7%.

What is happening?

Why do we start so well, and then lose both high performers and strugglers along the way? Isn't school supposed to be growing their literacy skills, not diminishing them?

Well, the NAPLAN statistics not only illustrate the problem, they actually provide the explanation.

We don't have an early years literacy "problem" in Australia. The percentage of students below benchmark in Year 3 converts to very small numbers. In Victoria in 2016, for example, there were around 450 Year 3 students below benchmark.

It should be very easy to locate those children, and provide intensive interventions specifically designed for each student. But apparently we don't.

By Year 5, those low performers across Australia are simply treading water and our high performers start to slide. Then it all takes a dramatic turn for the worse in Year 7, with a five-fold increase in students below benchmark and a three-fold decrease in those who are far above the benchmark.

So, what is going on?

Well, reading and writing gets harder in Year 4, and every year after that.

The Year 3 test is looking for evidence that the children have learned their basic reading and writing skills. They can decode the words on the page and comprehend their literal meaning. They can retell a simple story that is readable to others.

However, by Year 5, the test begins to assess the children's ability to infer from and evaluate what they read, and to consider their audience as they write.

In Year 7 it is expected that children are now no longer learning to read and write, but that they are reading and writing to learn. To achieve this they need deep and technical vocabularies, and to be able to manipulate sentence structures in ways we do not and cannot in our spoken language.

And the NAPLAN results suggest that many of them cannot.

Instead, they are stuck with their basic literacy skills, obviously well learned in the early years of school. They can read - but only simple books with simple vocabulary, simple grammatical structures and simple messages. They can write - but they write the way they speak.

What's the solution?

Raise our expectations of our students. And raise the quality and the challenge of the literacy work we do with them.

There has been a misplaced focus on "back-to-basics" literacy education in recent years. The last ten years of NAPLAN testing shows us we are already exemplary at the basics. It is the complex we are bad at.

It's time to change tack. Our attention needs to focus on developing the deep comprehension skills of our upper-primary and high school students. And our teachers need - and want - the resources and the professional learning to help them do this.

Teachers must build their own understanding of the ways in which the English language works, so they can teach their students to read rich and complex literature for inference, to use complex language structures to craft eloquent and engaging written pieces, and to build sophisticated and deep vocabularies.

It isn't the basics that are missing in Australian education; it is challenge and complexity.

And until we change our educational policy direction to reflect that, we will continue to fail to help our children grow into literate young adults - and that is bad news for us all.

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NAPLAN results show it isn't the basics that are missing in Australian education

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The preliminary results of NAPLAN 2017 are out, and the news isn't good. The annual test of our students' literacy and numeracy skills shows that not much has changed since 2011, coincidentally - or not - when we began this annual circus of public reporting of NAPLAN results.

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Australia is doing well on enrolling four-year-olds in pre-school, but the picture on three-year-olds is less clear. Shutterstock

The OECD's latest Starting Strong report provides an update on early childhood education opportunities across the developed world, and a fresh insight into how Australian children are faring.

The Starting Strong series, which began in 2001, provides valuable comparisons and analysis of early childhood education systems, and has been highly influential in the development of early years policy globally. Australian governments drew heavily on this resource in the development of our National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework.

International trends

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) has experienced a surge of policy attention in recent years at the national and international level.

The debate has also shifted its focus, with policymakers realising that equitable access to quality ECEC can strengthen the foundations of lifelong learning for all children. As a consequence, governments around the world have increased the resources allocated to the early years and taken steps to enhance quality and improve equity of access.

This is underpinned by international research that shows access to quality ECEC has positive effects on wellbeing, learning and development.

Universal or quasi-universal access to at least one year of ECEC is now a reality in most of the OECD. In most countries, more than 90% of children are already enrolled in preschool (or in primary education in some countries) at age five.

High enrolment rates are also observed for lower age groups. Among four-year-olds, 90% or more are already enrolled in preschool (or primary education) in two-thirds of the 37 countries.

How does Australia compare?

While Australia has successfully expanded access to ECEC in the year before full-time school, we can still do more to lift quality, and participation in under fours, in order to further capitalise on our investment in the early years.

Participation

Australia has an above average proportion of children under three attending ECEC. It also has had one of the fastest rates of growth in the proportion of four-year- olds attending preschool, skyrocketing from 53% in 2005 to 85% in 2014 thanks to the National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education.

However, we are still behind the UK, France, Germany and several Scandinavian countries, where more than 95% of four-years-olds attend ECEC.

In contrast, Australia has one of the lowest proportions of three-year-olds enrolled in preschool, at only 15%. However, this figure reflects the limitations of current data collections, as it does not include the large number of three-year-olds attending programs delivered by an early childhood teacher in long daycare settings.
Investment
On a per-child basis, Australia ranks fourth highest of OECD countries in public expenditure on preschool. This is largely driven by lower child-staff ratios.

There are fewer than ten children for every teacher in Australia. In countries like Chile, China, France and Mexico, for example, there are more than 20 children per teacher.
Impact of ECEC on achievement at age 15
The report identifies participation in at least two years of preschool as one of the most powerful influences on students' results in Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) at age 15. Given this, Australia's comparatively low rate of participation in at least two years of preschool is a concern.

The report finds that the strongest impacts on student performance are seen in education systems that offer preschool programs to a larger proportion of the population and over a longer period of time. Those with lower child-to-teacher ratios and that invest more per child at the preschool level are also most effective.

However, of all these variables, the strongest predictor of performance at age 15 is the number of years a student participates in ECEC. This is consistent with Australian research, examining the benefits of expanded access to a second year of preschool for all children in Australia.

Across the OECD, 22% of students who had attended early childhood education for less than a year performed below the baseline level of proficiency in science. Yet only 10% of students who attended more than two years of preschool were below the baseline.

This means students are more than twice as likely to be low performers in science if they attend less than one year of preschool.

For Australia, the impact of preschool on PISA was less evident, likely reflecting a low proportion of the population attending at least two years of high-quality preschool at the time.

Low levels of access for disadvantaged children

The OECD report also highlights that the children most likely to benefit from early childhood education - those from disadvantaged backgrounds - are least likely to participate.

The report shows a sizeable gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children when it comes to the 15-year-olds who had access to at least two years of ECEC. Australia ranks below the OECD average on this, and substantially behind countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and Switzerland.

This pattern is consistent with previous Australian research.

Australia's early learning market

Comparatively, Australia has a high proportion of non-government ECEC services, and services highly subsidised but not delivered by government.

Overall, 77% of Australian children attend ECEC in private, not-for-profit or community-run services, compared to an OECD average of 32%. All of these services are what the OECD calls a "government-dependent private setting", meaning a private entity that receives more than half its core funding from government.

The OECD warns of the potential dangers of a market structure where government is the main funder, yet has limited control over delivery, quality and pricing.

On top of this, Australian families also contribute a comparatively high proportion of ECEC funding. In almost half of OECD countries 90% or more of total ECEC expenditure comes from government, while in Australia, 35% comes from families.

This iteration of Starting Strong also has a particular focus on the transition from ECEC to the school system. Good transitions are critical to ensuring the benefits of investment in the early years flow on throughout children's lives.

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Australia is still lagging on some aspects of early childhood education

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The OECD's latest Starting Strong report provides an update on early childhood education opportunities across the developed world, and a fresh insight into how Australian children are faring. The Starting Strong series, which began in 2001, provides valuable comparisons and analysis of early childhood education systems, and has been highly influential in the development of early years policy globally.

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It's a warm September afternoon in the Kallio district of Helsinki. Out in the Franzenia daycare centre playground, groups of four- and five-year-olds roam contentedly. "Would you like an ice-cream?" asks one, having set up her elaborate "stall" on the edge of the sandpit. Kindergarten staff move among the children, chatting, observing and making written notes.

There is nothing outwardly distinctive about the centre, though with 200 children, it is the city's largest. It is a tall, somewhat dour former university building, built in the 1930s and converted to its present role last year. Yet it is in places such as this oddly homespun centre with its strange echoes of bureaucracy, walls plastered with children's art and piles of play paraphernalia, that the Finnish education "miracle" starts to take shape.

In Finland, whose comprehensive school system has sat at the top of Europe's rankings for the past 16 years, the narrow, heated debates on school governance and structure that obsess the UK - free schools, academies, grammars - do not exist. Schools ultimately deliver academic success, the Finns would agree - and there has been intense worldwide interest in how they manage it (see below) - but they would also argue that groundwork for good school performance begins earlier, long before children enter formal school, and arguably while their future pupils are still in nappies.

Central to early years education in Finland is a "late" start to schooling. At Franzenia, as in all Finnish daycare centres, the emphasis is not on maths, reading or writing (children receive no formal instruction in these until they are seven and in primary school) but creative play. This may surprise UK parents, assailed as they are by the notion of education as a competitive race. In Finland, they are more relaxed: "We believe children under seven are not ready to start school," says Tiina Marjoniemi, the head of the centre. "They need time to play and be physically active. It's a time for creativity."

Franzenia daycare centre, Helsinki. Photograph: Karin Hannukainen/University of Helsinki

Indeed the main aim of early years education is not explicitly "education" in the formal sense but the promotion of the health and wellbeing of every child. Daycare is to help them develop good social habits: to learn how to make friends and respect others, for example, or to dress themselves competently. Official guidance also emphasises the importance in pre-school of the "joy of learning", language enrichment and communication. There is an emphasis on physical activity (at least 90 minutes outdoor play a day). "Kindergarten in Finland doesn't focus on preparing children for school academically," writes the Finnish educational expert Pasi Sahlberg. "Instead the main goal is to make sure that the children are happy and responsible individuals."

Play, nonetheless, is a serious business, at least for the teachers, because it gives children vital skills in how to learn. Franzenia has 44 staff working with children, of whom 16 are kindergarten teachers (who have each completed a three-year specialist degree), and 28 nursery nurses (who have a two-year vocational qualification). The staff-child ratio is 1:4 for under-threes and 1:7 for the older children. Great care is taken to plan not just what kind of play takes place - there is a mix of "free play" and teacher-directed play - but to assess how children play. The children's development is constantly evaluated. "It's not just random play, it's learning through play," says Marjoniemi.

Play at this stage of child development can successfully engage them in the process of learning, says David Whitebread, director of the Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development & Learning at the University of Cambridge. Once engaged in a task they enjoy, whether acting out a story or constructing a building, children become motivated to constantly refine and improve on their task and to increase the challenge. "From a psychological point of view you can see how play can help children become powerful learners," he says.

Carefully organised play helps develop qualities such as attention span, perseverance, concentration and problem solving, which at the age of four are stronger predictors of academic success than the age at which a child learns to read, says Whitebread. There is evidence that high-quality early years play-based learning not only enriches educational development but boosts attainment in children from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not possess the cultural capital enjoyed by their wealthier peers. Says Whitebread: "The better the quality of pre-school, the better the outcomes, both emotionally and socially and in terms of academic achievement."

Importantly, early years care in Finland is designed and funded to ensure high take-up: every child has a legal right to high-quality pre-school care. In Franzenia, as in all daycare centres, there are children from a mix of backgrounds. Fees, subsidised by the state, are capped at a maximum of €290 (£250) a month (free for those on low incomes) for five-day, 40 hours a week care. About 40% of 1-3-year-olds are in daycare and 75% of 3-5-year-olds. Optional pre-school at the age of six has a 98% take-up. Initially envisaged in the 70s as a way of getting mothers back into the workplace, daycare has also become, Marjoniemi says, about "lifelong learning and how we prepare young children".

The time children spend in pre-school, with its emphasis on play and socialisation, are "the most important years", says Jaakko Salo, special adviser to the OAJ, the Finnish teachers' union. Finnish education is undergoing the biggest financial cuts in its history, with the latest round lopping €2bn, or 8%, off the budget, but early years and primary schools - the bedrock of the system and the point where learning skills can be most successfully embedded - have been relatively protected, according to the OAJ.

Daycare is not the only factor underpinning academic success. Hard-wired into Finland's educational mission is the idea that equality is vital to economic success and societal wellbeing, as well as the belief that a small nation, reliant on creativity, ingenuity and solidarity to compete in the global economy, cannot afford inequality or segregation in schooling or health. Behind its stellar education ranking is a comprehensive social security and public health system that ensures one of the lowest child poverty rates in Europe, and some of the highest levels of wellbeing. Gunilla Holm, professor of education at the University of Helsinki, says: "The goal is that we should all progress together."

How it works

The success of Finland's comprehensive school system is a story now well-told. At the turn of the century, much to the surprise of the Finns, let alone the rest of the world, it emerged as a global leader in education. Pisa tests revealed Finnish pupils produced some of the world's highest scores in maths, science and reading. In the three subsequent reports, the last in 2012, the country's performance dropped slightly but it remains the highest-ranked in Europe.

Its success came under a system built resolutely against the grain of prevailing education fashions adopted by developed countries, including the UK, in the 1980s and 90s. In Finland, children do not start formal academic learning until seven. Driven by a commitment to equality (on both moral and economic grounds), it outlaws school selection, formal examinations (until the age of 18) and streaming by ability. Competition, choice, privatisation and league tables do not exist. "Teaching to the test" is an alien concept. Grammar schools, the UK government's current obsession, were abolished decades ago. Free school meals, tentatively endorsed for younger pupils only in the UK, are universally provided.

Those elements of British schooling that cause most parental anxiety - will my child get into a "good school", will they get into a top set, will they get a good Sats score - are largely absent in Finland. Differences in educational outcomes between individual schools in most areas are relatively trivial, meaning parents rarely send their children farther afield than the local comprehensive. Pupils are generally more content too: a quality-not-quantity approach means school hours are shorter and homework duties are light. After-school tutoring is rare. Finnish children are happier and less stressed than their British contemporaries.

As UK educational policy becomes more narrow and centrally prescribed, Finland devolves more power to teachers and pupils to design and direct learning. Teachers are well paid, well-trained (they must complete a five-year specialist degree), respected by parents and valued and trusted by politicians. There is no Ofsted-style inspection of schools and teachers, but a system of self-assessment. Educational policy and teaching is heavily research-based.

Worried that its sliding Pisa scores reflected a complacency in its schools, national curriculum changes were introduced this year: these now devote more time to art and crafts. Creativity is the watchword. Core competences include "learning-to learn", multiliteracy, digital skills and entrepreneurship. At the heart of the new curriculum, the National Board of Education says unashamedly, is the "joy of learning."

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No grammar schools, lots of play: the secrets of Europe's top education system

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In Finland children don't start school until they are seven, but what happens before that is even more important

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With 2018 just around the corner, technology is already sweeping through classrooms as educators and developers create more and more products designed to enhance education.

New technologies like AI, machine learning, and educational software aren't just changing the field for students, they're shaking up the role of educators, creating philosophical shifts in approaches to teaching, and remodeling the classroom.

With an influx of new learning models available, traditional educational methods are bound to evolve in the next decade. To get a better sense of where things are heading, Business Insider has taken a closer look at technology's developing role in the field of education and outlined the advances that could be spelled out for the future.

Technology is providing a way for learning models to become increasingly personalised.

Every student learns differently, and technology allows educators to accommodate unique learning styles on a case-by-case basis.

"We're currently challenging the paradigm that all seven-year-olds are exactly the same and should be exposed to the same content," said Brian Greenberg, CEO of Silicon Schools, in an interview with Business Insider. "We're starting to question what's right for this seven-year-old versus what's right for that seven-year-old."

Technologies like DreamBox, a maths education software that's used in a number of classrooms across the US, adapts to each student's skill level and lets students learn at a pace best suited to their needs.

Adaptive learning software is quickly replacing the role of textbooks in the classrooms and students are tackling subjects with the aid of tailor-made computer programs that assist their needs.

Expect technology to present some philosophical shifts in education, as well

With technology making it easier than ever before to query Google or effortlessly calculate a maths problem, educators are determining the types of knowledge students need in order to thrive in a technology-saturated workforce.

While educational models of the past focused on providing students with the requisite skills to turn them into skilled workers, the educators of today are more concerned with teaching students how to learn on their own.

"The real purpose of education is for the brain to be empowered with information," said Greenberg. "We're teaching students to learn to think, to learn to learn, and to critically assess a situation."

Even with technology being used in more and more classrooms, teachers will be as important as ever.

CEO of Silicon Schools Brian Greenberg says that evolving technology doesn't undermine a teacher's role in the classroom; instead, it augments it.

"Technology is important, but it's really just the means to an end," Greenberg said. "The real magic is in giving great educators freedom and licence into how school works."

With more data available to track each classroom's progress, educators are provided with increasing insight into how their students are struggling.

Maths education software DreamBox provides educators with recordings and data into how students are learning and progressing so that educators can focus on the areas where their classrooms need the most help.

In order for technology to function successfully in the classroom, DreamBox's SVP of Learning, Tim Hudson, says that it needs to be in touch with educators and their needs. "It's important that we listen to teachers and administrators to determine the ways technology can assist them in the classroom," Hudson told Business Insider.

Artificial intelligence is poised to play an integral role as well.

AI makes one-to-one tutoring increasingly possible at enormous scale.

The U.S. Navy has introduced an AI-based tutoring system called Education Dominance into an entry-level IT school in Pensacola. The platform works similarly to a human tutor, monitoring each student's progress and providing personalised assessments and tests.

The Navy reported that the students who had worked with the digital tutor made enormous strides in their education, and that they consistently tested higher than students who had studied without the program's benefit.

The platform provides a glimpse into how educational models might work in the next 15 years: computers acting as individual tutors in classrooms filled with diverse learning styles.

Students can assume more responsibility in the classroom.

With educators better equipped at understanding a student's learning process, classrooms are being formed around small groups, with students who match each other's skill level working together.

Greenberg says that this shift in tailor-made learning groups provides students with independence in the classroom.

"There's an increasing push for students to take more ownership and have more involvement into how they learn," said Greenberg. "Creating agency in the classroom improves student's motivations."

With adaptive technology assisting individuals at every skill level, students are better equipped to learn on their own.

These are the technologies that are making a difference in education right now.

In the future it's likely that we'll start seeing classrooms adopt a one-to-one ratio between kids and devices. Here are the technology programs that are currently making waves in the field of education:

Tablets like Google's Chromebook are an ideal classroom device because they're relatively cheap, interchangeable, easy to manage, and provide access to a range of Google's educational software.

For maths, DreamBox,Zearn, and ST Maths are software programs that adapt to students as they learn.

In the area of language arts, programs like No Red Ink, Achieve 3000, and Newsela provide students with ways to easily understand reading and writing.

Software that allows educators to manage and test their classrooms like Quizlet are becoming widely used.

And despite the inundation of technology within the classroom, its role still remains to be determined.

"Technology is not silver bullet solution," said Greenberg.

"We have to be honest that we don't have definitive proof one way or the other yet that technology is improving education. We are cautiously optimistic that technology is having a very bold impact."

Technology's benefit in the classroom is all in the way it's used. When paired with interpersonal relationships, thoughtful educators, and deliberate programs, technology can be an incredible asset, but Greenberg warns that it isn't the end-all solution to education.

"It's not about having a kid stare at a screen for six hours a day," Greenberg said. "The real story for the future of education will center around how educators structure and run their classrooms."
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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Here's how technology is shaping the future of education

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With 2018 just around the corner, technology is already sweeping through classrooms as educators and developers create more and more products designed to enhance education. New technologies like AI, machine learning, and educational software aren't just changing the field for students, they're shaking up the role of educators, creating philosophical shifts in approaches to teaching, and remodeling the classroom.

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Pre-K & Kindergarten Games, Books & Videos Online | Funbrain

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Funbrain playground jumpstarts the educational journey for preschoolers and kindergartners through fun, interactive games online. Visit Funbrain today.

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Free elementary, middle and high school teacher resources, including puzzlemaker, student games and activities and lesson plans.

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ABC Reading Eggs makes learning to read interesting and engaging for kids, with great online reading games and activities.

And it really works!

Children love the games, songs, golden eggs and other rewards which, along with feeling proud of their reading, really motivate children to keep exploring and learning.

Your child can learn to read right now. Register now to start your FREE trial!

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Learning to Read for Kids | Learn to Read with Phonics | Free Trial

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ABC Reading Eggs makes learning to read interesting and engaging for kids, with great online reading games and activities. And it really works! Children love the games, songs, golden eggs and other rewards which, along with feeling proud of their reading, really motivate children to keep exploring and learning.

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Studyladder, an online learning resource for primary and elementary students and their teachers. Lessons, activities, games, worksheets and videos in English, Literacy, Mathematics and Science.

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Used by over 70,000 teachers & 1 million students at home and school. Studyladder is an online english literacy & mathematics learning tool. Kids activity games, worksheets and lesson plans for Primary and Junior High School students in Australia.

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This series of 30 virtual books promotes student interaction in the classroom and is also designed to support use on interactive whiteboards. The books contain many frequently used sight words and are sequenced from simple text and repetitive sentence patterns to longer stories with more complex sentence structures.

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more math

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Discover how IXL supports success for every learner

IXL gives teachers everything they need to personalise instruction

Testimonials

We like the rewards and certificates; our children work very hard to receive these! The reports are also brilliant in keeping us informed of the levels our children have reached and where they need extra help.

Linda Rindfleish, parent

Coolah, New South Wales

Read more

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IXL | Online maths and English practice.

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IXL gives teachers everything they need to personalise instruction I am a teacher of a class of Year 7 and 8 boys, and they LOVE IXL. They will choose to go and do it rather than have free time in the room, and are forever trying to beat each other's scores.

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Math homework sites recommended by teachers

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Math homework sites recommended by teachers

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MathsOnline - Maths Tuition For All Australian K-12 Students

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MathsOnline - Australia's #1 Online Maths Teacher

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ABC Kids is home to trusted and loved preschool programs. Learn, play and explore with our games, apps, songs, clips, print and colour, craft and more.

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A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.

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Continuity of Learning with Discovery Education

Discovery Education Experience provides engaging high-quality content, ready-to-use digital lessons, creative collaboration tools, and practical professional learning resources to give educators everything they need to facilitate instruction and create a lasting educational impact in any learning environment.

Learn More

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Digital Textbooks & Education Resources | Discovery Education

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Continuity of Learning with Discovery Education Discovery Education Experience provides engaging high-quality content, ready-to-use digital lessons, creative collaboration tools, and practical professional learning resources to give educators everything they need to facilitate instruction and create a lasting educational impact in any learning environment. Learn More

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Programs being used in primary years

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Does ABC Reading Eggs Really Work? (VIDEO)

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ABC Reading Eggs is the proven way to help children learn to read. Child psychologist Fiona Martin and literacy expert Sara Leman talk about what makes ABC Reading Eggs so fun and effective. Watch now

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Is the internet making our children smarter?

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Despite fueling an age of technological marvels, the Internet is often derided as being as harmful to humanity as it is helpful. But even if a steady diet of cat videos and Facebook posts isn't a recipe for mental acuity, the Internet really is making the children of today smarter (as compared to their predecessors) in at least four key ways.

Cognitive Skills

Which is not to say that "smarter" is synonymous with "genius." It might be better to say that today's children-more than ninety percent of whom will have an online history by age two-are developing key tech-friendly skills at an earlier age.

By engaging their brains in more complex tasks at a younger stage in their lives, toddlers are improving cognition and critical review skills, and displaying a more advanced understanding of both virtual and real worlds.

In addition to stronger memory, comprehension, and abstract thought, children who regularly use the Internet also display a more proactive approach to information gathering and experience improved performance in visual learning (e.g., reading comprehension). Language fluency and vocabulary get a boost as well, and some kids even experience a jump in IQ (as high as six points over the course of nine months).

Beyond Intellectual Skills

Beyond mental performance, kids and teens using the Internet (and social media) exhibit stronger social skills, better vocabularies, and greater confidence. They may even show greater compassion for others as a result of their experiences on social media sites.

It's clear that the Internet is having a very real impact on society. And whether it's making kids smarter or simply more capable in an increasingly electronic world, the Internet will continue to fuel discussions about its impact on children long after today's wunderkinder have begun raising the geniuses of tomorrow.

4 Ways the Internet is Making Kids Smarter

According to a study by Internet security software giant, AVG, by the time children reach the age of 2, 90% of them have an online history. By the time they're five, half of them have already used a tablet or other Internet connected device, and by the time they reach age 7 or 8, many of them are already playing video games regularly. Is that such a bad thing?

Improved Cognition

Using the Internet can improve cognitive abilities such as:
Memory

Transactive memory, or relying on other information stores, from friends, family, or Google has been around for thousands of years.
Research shows we are "dumber" when we are not around other people

The Internet gives us instant access to transactive memory, helping us get rid of "tip of the tongue syndrome by filling in what we do know about something to find the answer we're looking for.

Spatial and logical problem solving

Students are proactive in finding information for themselves, rather than waiting for a teacher or tutor to come help them.

Studies of 4-and 5-year-olds found that use of developmental software increased their IQ by an average of six points over nine months of computer exposure.

The children also showed significant gains in:

Long-term memory

Fine motor skills

Structural knowledge

Children who used the drill method of learning suffered a 50% loss in creativity.

Critical thinking

Children need to learn the difference between useful sources or misinformation.
This forces them to learn to think more critically, to discern quality sources from Internet "junk.

Concentration Abstraction

Several online "games" help children learn and practice abstract math concepts.
Comprehension

Studies show children who have Internet access at home get better grades.
Studies show children who used the Internet more had higher scores on standardized reading tests after six months
Higher grade point averages one year and 16 months after the start of the study than children who used the Internet less.

Increased Interest in Reading

According to a Scholastic study:

62% of children would rather read a printed book than on the internet.

Kids use the Internet to learn more about authors, find books, and check books out from the local library, suggesting the Internet fosters a love for reading.

Studies show kindergarten and first graders who are presented with digital text alongside dictionaries can improve:

Phonological awareness

Word-reading skills

Vocabulary knowledge

Studies have shown using e-reading technology with students who are struggling allows them more practice and helps them improve.

Older readers who use e-reading technology have seen improvements with:

Studies show an average of 27% improvement in vocabulary with 5-year-olds using an iPod Touch with an educational app called Martha Speaks.

Another study with a different educational app showed three-year-olds showing a 17% gain.

Improved Writing Ability

A Stanford University study collected 877 freshman composition papers written in 2006 and compared them to papers written in 1986, 1930, and 1917.

Error rates barely changed.

11 errors per 100 words in 1917

26 errors per 100 words in 2006

Almost no instances of "text-speak."

Supposedly, teens are writing with "textisms" such as:

University of Toronto linguist Sali Tagliamonte found:
When students do use "textisms" they are used intentionally for wit

Improved length and complexity.

1917: average of 162 words in length, mostly personal narrative style.

1986: average of 422 words in length

2006: average of 1,038 words in length, arguments well researched and supported.

Improved composition abilities are thought to be attributed to the fact that in the past, students did little writing outside of school.

Today, they "write" their thoughts on social media, in text messages, instant messages, and in emails.

Students write faster than they did before.
Technology enables students to quickly "write" ideas and thoughts they may have lost due to the time it takes to write with traditional implements of the past.

Improved Social Skills

Using email and instant messaging appropriately can help children strengthen their social skills.

Communicating electronically with children as virtual pen pals can help them learn about other cultures and customs.

Common Sense Media studies show:

29% of teens using social media say it helps them feel less shy.

20% of teens using social media say it helps them feel more confident.

19% believe it makes them sympathetic to others.

What You Can Do as a Parent to Make the Most of the Internet

Get involved with your child's Internet usage.

Know what they're doing online, and when they're doing it.
Use parental controls to block inappropriate material.

Keep the computer in a common area of the home.

Spend time online with them to teach them good habits.
Let them ask questions. Talk with them.

Bookmark their favorite sites so they can easily access them.

Talk with them about the dangers of using the Internet.
Know what safety measures are in place at school and other caregiver's homes.

Set basic rules, and provide consequences when they're not followed.

Time limits: Set a limit that you're comfortable with.

One screen at a time: No TV while on the computer

No sharing of personal information online.

Sources

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4 Ways the Internet is Making Kids Smarter

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Despite fueling an age of technological marvels, the Internet is often derided as being as harmful to humanity as it is helpful. But even if a steady diet of cat videos and Facebook posts isn't a recipe for mental acuity, the Internet really is making the children of today smarter (as compared to their predecessors) in at least four key ways.

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What challenges are schools facing in education?

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What challenges are schools facing in education?

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Child-led learning has dragged Australia down

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The reasons why Australian students underperform has little, if anything, to do with funding. Compared to stronger performing education systems, Australian classrooms have been forced to adopt a dumbed down, overcrowded curriculum that lacks academic rigour.

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What is assistive technology and how can it help children with additional needs?

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What is assistive technology and how can it help children with additional needs?

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ECTACenter.org : The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center : Improving Systems, Practices and Outcomes for Young Children with Disabilities and their Families

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Assistive technology (AT) can be thought of as any item that supports a child's ability to participate actively in his or her home, childcare program, school, or other community settings. It is a broad term that includes items ranging from something as "low tech" as a foam wedge for positioning to something as "high tech" as a power wheelchair for independent mobility.

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How is technology changing learning for the future?

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How is technology changing learning for the future?

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The future of learning and teaching: Big changes ahead for education

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As we embrace tech futures, teaching and learning in our education system must also keep up to date with demands of the 21st century and beyond.

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Pros and cons to phones in educational settings

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Pros and cons to phones in educational settings

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Posted June 28, 2018 12:42:21

NSW Minister for Education Rob Stokes has ordered a review into phone use in schools. He said the review would look at the risks and rewards of social media. The review will ultimately decide whether to ban mobile phones in NSW schools.

Finnish education expert Pasi Sahlberg also recently said he believed mobile phone-related distraction was a main reason for Australia sliding down in PISA rankings.

Parents and teachers have similar concerns about cyberbullying and safety, as well as technology distracting from schoolwork. But do the benefits of having phones in classrooms (such as contact with parents, access to mental health text lines, and learning opportunities) outweigh the risks?

We asked five experts if schools should ban mobile phones in classrooms.

Yes: phones are distracting, addictive and anxiety-inducing
Danielle Einstein - clinical psychologist, honorary associate, University of Sydney and Department of Psychology, Macquarie University
First, mobile phones are too easily used at the expense of face-to-face communication. Teenagers can message, avoiding a more challenging conversation. Second, smartphone apps and messages prompt dopamine release, creating addiction. Third, the mere presence of one's phone consumes attention even when it's not being checked. It's been shown we have reduced working memory capacity and fluid intelligence when our phone is upside down, silent on our desk compared to when it is in another room.

Finally, the introduction of smartphones has led to a decline in people's ability to cope with uncertainty. Research shows being uncomfortable with uncertainty is associated with students feeling distracted and tense during NAPLAN and other tests. The more uncomfortable young people are with uncertainty, the higher the number of co-occurring psychological problems they report experiencing.

Smartphone use is associated with the current epidemic of anxiety and depression.

No: apps are useful learning tools
Matthew Kearney - associate professor, Teacher Education Program, University of Technology Sydney
Firstly, regardless of any ban, school students will continue to learn with their own phones off-campus, later in life in their tertiary education, and in their professional and workplace learning. Secondly, if school students want to investigate, collect data, receive personalised and immediate feedback, record media, create, compose, or communicate with peers, in and beyond the classroom, then using mobile apps is ideal.

Also, if they want to learn at a place, time and pace of their choosing, for example on excursions, or working on projects with friends in more informal spaces like home, on a train or in Facebook groups, then mobile devices are needed.

No: we should embrace digital literacy
Joanne Orlando - researcher, technology and learning, Western Sydney University
We should not ban mobile phones in schools because it's important to educate children to live well in the era in which they are growing up. A good education for students today is knowing how to use technology to learn, communicate, and work with ideas. There is significant research ( including my own) that shows selective, quality and empowering uses of technology provides new learning opportunities and the ability for students to develop skills they will need for future careers.

The ability to copy work off the blackboard into an exercise book is not a skill today's employers are looking for.

Banning students from using smartphones is a 1950's response to a 2018 state-of-play. Mobile phone use is a complex social activity and taking phones away will likely lead to underground and hidden use by teens. This will exacerbate issues (such as cyberbullying) this call to ban phones is trying to address.

No: phones can boost safety, health
Damian Maher - senior lecturer in education, use of ICT and social media, University of Technology Sydney
Mobile phones serve many important functions. Digital literacy is a critical aspect of young people's schooling and research shows mobile phones can play a role in supporting such learning. It's important students learn with these devices so they can effectively participate in the workforce.

The phones provide a link between students and their parents, which has an important role to play in ensuring their safety. Evidence indicates parents want this type of access.

Teachers have an important role to teach students to be safe online.

In relation to health, research shows medical apps are important to support the health of young people, such as managing diabetes, and apps need to be accessed during schools hours. Rather than suggesting bans, we should be discussing ways to support young people to use their phones.

No: phones link young people with support services
Susan Sawyer - professor of adolescent health, The University of Melbourne; director, Royal Children's hospital Centre for Adolescent Health, University of Melbourne
Mobile phones are now ubiquitous for secondary school students. Beyond the 3Rs, an important aspect of learning for secondary school students is about safely negotiating online environments. This means all schools need to develop policies around the use of mobile phones during school hours. Given the dynamic nature of the mobile world, regularly engaging students and parents in reviewing and revising these policies is an important part of everyone's learning.

A particular benefit of mobile phones is they can provide access to therapeutic interventions for distressed young people while they are at school.

Telephone support lines have long provided crisis support but are more commonly used outside school hours. The emergence of crisis text lines means adolescents can access text messaging support in real time, an approach that many find more accessible than telephone support, let alone face-to-face support, even with trained professionals at schools.
This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

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Should schools ban smartphones? We asked 5 experts

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A Finnish education expert recently said he believed mobile phone-related distraction was a main reason for Australia sliding down in PISA rankings. Meanwhile, parents and teachers share concerns about cyberbullying and online safety, but do the benefits of allowing smartphones in classrooms outweigh the risks?

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Virtual Classroom - supporting remote children? Is this the solution?

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Virtual Classroom - supporting remote children? Is this the solution?

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For different personal reasons, many parents are leaning toward online classes for their kids. But is online education the best academic track for your child?

Six-year-old Jayden Carter spends his school day like most elementary school children. He wakes up early in the morning, gets dressed, and heads to school. But to get to school, Jayden doesn't hop on a bus or in a car. Instead, he logs on to a computer in his kitchen to attend an online school.

Since kindergarten, Jayden, who lives in Kamuela, HI, has been enrolled in the Myron B. Thompson Academy in Honolulu, a public charter school that offers instruction both online and in person. He attends a live lecture every Tuesday that he views using a webcam and he speaks to the teacher using a microphone. He can even see his classmates, located on other Hawaiian islands, when they speak. The rest of the time, he completes schoolwork in his family's garage or kitchen. He scans and submits work to his teacher via email.

For years, adults have been earning undergraduate and graduate degrees through online education programs, but more elementary and high school students are taking some or all of their classes online. According to the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), 250,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students were enrolled in online schools full-time in 2010-2011. This number represents a big increase from a decade ago, when 40,000 to 50,000 students were enrolled in K-12 online education.

Reasons for Choosing Virtual Schools

Parents choose online schooling for their young children for many reasons. "I think it's becoming more popular because of the convenience," says Jayden's mom, Molly. "We can be on our own schedule." Many parents choose it because they're not satisfied with their local public school; others find they have more control over what and how their children learn.

"We had all kinds of kids [enrolled in online schools]. We had homebound kids who couldn't go to school because of a medical issue. We had actors, Olympic athletes, and other people who were not living in one place for a long time," says Allison Powell, Vice President of State and District Services at iNACOL and a former teacher at an online school in Las Vegas, NV. "I also had a couple of kids who were bullied at their regular school, and I had one family that was very religious, and the mother would supplement online learning with religious studies."

For Elizabeth Friscia of San Diego, whose two daughters, Jayne and Juliana, are enrolled at the San Juan Capistrano education campus of Connections Academy, one of the biggest benefits of a cyber charter school is that it teaches them independence and responsibility. Jayne is now in sixth grade at Connections Academy and Juliana is now in first grade.

"In a brick-and-mortar school, Jayne was doing what she was told to do all day. Now she has more flexibility," Friscia says. "But it took her nearly a year and a half to get her to where she understood the concept of being responsible for her own work. This is something most of us don't learn until college."

Online schooling can be tailored to fit individual academic needs. In some schools, students are given an individualized education plan based on an assessment at the beginning of their online study. The assessment pinpoints the student's areas of strength and where extra support is needed. If a student is a whiz in math but struggles in reading, he can progress in one area and receive extra help in the other through additional assignments until he understands the concept. Students move through the curriculum at their own pace and can complete advanced work in subjects at their grade level or a higher one.

"It gets away from groupthink, where learners have to move through grades at the same time," says Kerry Rice, associate professor and interim chair of the department of educational technology at Boise State University. "That's a benefit for young children."

The Pros and Cons of the Virtual Classroom

Although computers are a big part of online education, much of the actual work is completed in the same way as it is in a traditional school. Kids still read books, fill out worksheets, write papers, complete science experiments, and take quizzes and tests. Students submit work to teachers in a number of ways, depending on the assignment, says Janae Cardel, a kindergarten teacher at Connections Academy in Harrisburg, PA. Some of the assignments and assessments are printed, scanned, and uploaded via an online "drop box." Other work is done completely online. Many schools ship textbooks and other materials to the students. Parents, called learning coaches, are required to work closely with their child, making sure the child is completing the work. As students become older, more responsibility rests on them.

"The parent is a lot more involved at the elementary-school level, when students need more handholding," Powell says. "As the student gets older, they have to be motivated to log onto the computer, do the assignments, and ask for help when they need it."

The Pros and Cons of the Virtual Classroom, Continued

Cardel says that much of what she does in her online class is the same as when she taught kindergarten at a physical school. "At circle time, I sing with them. I still do a lot of hand motions with the songs. I have a lot of puppets and sometimes I dress up as characters, such as Ms. Proper, an English lady who talks about grammar," she says. "Aside from my physical presence, a lot of what I do is similar to what I did in a traditional classroom. The delivery is different."

Online education may not be a good fit for every child, however, and some educational experts question whether it's the best way for young children to learn. Some online schools are based in local districts, but some statewide virtual schools have students who could be hundreds of miles apart from other students and teachers. So do virtual school students miss out socially or lack opportunities to work together in groups and with students their age? Cardel does not see this as an issue, citing real-time online lessons and numerous in-person school-sponsored activities and field trips as ways she has bonded with her students. Given the one-on-one nature of online schools, Cardel and her colleagues say they know their virtual students better than their former classroom students.

Cardel keeps in touch with parents through phone conversations or emails, and even meets with parents at her office sometimes, but children could miss out on forming close relationships and friendships with their own teachers. They might not have as many opportunities to learn how to work in groups on projects and to get along with children their own age.

"We don't have research on the consequences for social-emotional skills," says Deborah Stipek, an education professor at Stanford University. "School settings where children can interact and learn to cooperate with peers may be important for developing social skills, at least for some children. We need to know not only if it works, but how it works, when it works, and for whom."

Is Online Education Right for Your Kids?

Research is also mixed on how well students perform academically in online charter schools. A 2009 U.S. Department of Education meta-analysis reviewed 51 online learning studies and found that, on average, students enrolled in an online class performed better than did students receiving face-to-face instruction for that same class. But 44 out of the 51 studies included in the report focused on students enrolled in higher education classes; only a handful focused on K-12 education. A 2011 report published by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes looked at eight cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania and found that students at these schools performed worse in reading and math than did their peers at traditional schools. Many research studies have looked at the effects of combining online learning with face-to-face instruction in single courses, often called blended instruction, and found that these students score as well as students in traditional classes.

Complicating matters is that many online schools are run by for-profit organizations that operate as public charter schools, which are funded by taxpayer dollars. According to an Education Week article published online, these private companies obtain a charter through the states to operate as public schools, meaning that public dollars are spent through private companies.

"This is a story of big business waking up to the billions of dollars spent educating the nation's kids, and they have found ways to pocket significant amounts of that money," says Gene Glass, an education professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. "They are doing it by providing a shallow, subpar experience in schooling for 300,000 K-12 kids who are getting all of their education from a laptop in their kitchen or bedroom."

Another way in which this kind of schooling is lacking is that teachers don't receive quick feedback from students about whether they understand the lessons, Glass says. Also, it can be difficult for schools and teachers to verify if the student himself is actually doing the work, and students don't always have a certified teacher. According to a 2011 report published by the National Education Policy Center, a cyber school in Arizona outsourced some of its essay grading to low-paid workers in India. Some critics say that online education systems are ideal for cash-strapped states that want cut back expenditures on classroom teachers and school buildings. Teachers in cyber schools can reach many more pupils, and buildings require less maintenance.

Still, even though the online education model seems to work for many families, parents need to ask a lot of questions before signing up, such as: What is the student-to-teacher ratio? Can students interact with each other or is the program more self-paced? What supports are in place for children and parents? How is student performance assessed? Most important, whether kids attend classes online or not, parents have to stay involved in their children's educational development.

"I want to be the primary educator for my children, so what I'm doing with online education enhances what I was already doing," Molly Carter says. "But parents have to be on top of it, just as they would with any educational choice made for their child."

Copyright © 2012 Meredith Corporation.

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Are Virtual Elementary Schools Good for Kids?

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For different personal reasons, many parents are leaning toward online classes for their kids. But is online education the best academic track for your child? Six-year-old Jayden Carter spends his school day like most elementary school children. He wakes up early in the morning, gets dressed, and heads to school.