Building the Infrastructure for Personalization

The Lego Robotics session today had an exciting, interactive format and a ground breaking model for personalized learning in the classroom for all grade levels including university classes. The first product (showcased at the heritage festival) was a Lego model of a C-train, originally made by a parent of elementary school students.  This parent found the level of interaction between child and parent quite fascinating because it integrated learning and playing.  Seeing the affects on these children sparked the idea for the robotics used throughout the   movie (that was presented today by CBE specialists) and hopefully in the future, in classrooms across Canada. CBE Schools across “area one” partnered with the Lego Robotics team to experiment with the various mechanical robots and studying the way students are learning through interaction with the robotics.

more...

The technology the students are working with encourages teamwork as well as individual development. Different designs and tasks (that the students are asked to have their robots perform) tie into many aspects of the current curriculum. In the younger grade levels teamwork, leadership, perseverance, problem solving, and basic science skills such as the functioning of levers and gears; are all developed during the use of the Lego robotics.  Throughout the high school and post secondary level courses they are learning much more advanced aspects of robotics such as mathematical programming and engineering. The main focus of the Lego robotics project was to introduce a personalized learning experience to the mainstream education system.

A combination of technologies has been achieved with the SMART board; which have been integrated into the robotic sessions and the two technologies are working together to create a brand new way of teaching in the 21st century. Students aren’t the only ones benefiting from these new technologies. Teachers are offered training sessions from “learning leaders” to help them adapt to the digital technology being introduced, as a result becoming more confident teaching in these flexible and innovative styles. A fun, flexible, yet still extremely educational way of learning increases the student chance of success and achievement within the school system. When students feel they are doing well in school they are much more likely to involve both parents and teachers in there learning, this creates a healthier environment both at home and in the class room.
Instead of the classic learning style of worksheets and memorizing facts that students can’t personalize or take pride in there learning, the presented model of teaching with Lego Robotics, offers students the opportunity to take responsibility and work towards their personal interests, therefore accomplishing more in depth and generally better work. Now it’s up to the administration to pull their diverse staff, (all of whom come with different skills and opinions) to work together towards the common goal of modernizing learning.
 

Instead of the classic learning style of worksheets and memorizing facts that students can’t personalize or take pride in there learning, the presented model of teaching with Lego Robotics, offers students the opportunity to take responsibility and work towards their personal interests, therefore accomplishing more in depth and generally better work. Now it’s up to the administration to pull their diverse staff, (all of whom come with different skills and opinions) to work together towards the common goal of modernizing learning.