Posts

Showing posts from September, 2019

Response to Automation of teaching

Image
"Software doesn't have a day off"  Original Article If a teacher can be replaced by software they probably should be because teaching is about relationships. I don't believe robots can engage students like a quality teacher. Teachers are not glorified babysitters and it requires far more skill to be an effective teacher than technology companies and journalists will ever admit.  (This post is not going to discuss what makes a quality teacher. In every profession there are different levels of competency. We have all met good and bad doctors yet we don't lump all doctors in together with the bad ones. The same for teachers.) So many teachers have been reinventing the classroom, implementing technology, new teaching methods and using real world probably solving. Yet rarely do these stories make the news.  If you "google" teacher you are more like to get articles about misconduct than stories of achievement and success.  By replacing te

Tips for working with the Makey Makey

Image
A Makey Makey is a board that can be connected to a computer as a replacement keyboard. It can also be used with Scratch.mit.edu to add voices, gaming controls and interaction with the computer. MineTap created by Shalise (yr 4) in a gifted makers program. Strap the velcro to your hands and allows her friend with cerebral palsy to play Minecraft The Makey Makey requires a completed circuit to operate. It can use any conductive material to complete a circuit including: Wires People - skin to skin contact Playdough - high in salt Foil Copper tape Tap water Living things eg: live plants/flowers Trouble shooting When troubleshooting it is important to only change one thing at a time and check the circuit after each change. This will ensure you don't introduce new problems. Create by Katie (year 2) in a gifted makers program. Audio Tour of Paris each part has an interactive point. The circuit isn’t working Check the light turns on when you