New ICT Workshop!
Empowering Minds - Programmable Bricks
A new and exciting approach to activity based learning developed in association with St Patrick's College, Drumcondra.
What are Programmable Bricks?
Programmable bricks are plastic bricks similar in size to a deck of cards with embedded portable microcomputers. Used in conjunction with standard Lego bricks or other materials (for example, paper or fabric) structures, models and robots may be constructed. Using motors and sensors, these constructions can then be programmed to behave in certain ways, move in different directions and take readings from light, touch and temperature sensors.
What professional development is available in the use of this technology in a teaching and learning environment?
The Empowering Minds Workshops highlight how this type of technology can be integrated into the primary and post-primary curriculum. With the help of experienced facilitators, teachers work within groups on a project of their choice. The workshop format enables each teacher’s individual interests and needs to inform the direction of the learning experience. The workshop also involves the use of digital media to help record the learning process as each project is developed .This can aid in developing an alternative form of assessment to the paper and pencil approach currently favoured in our schools.
What are the benefits for students?
This technology has enormous potential for impacting on student creativity, project based learning, team building, problem solving and other higher order thinking skills. More specifically, it may be used to:
- Motivate students of all ages and abilities to create and develop their own models based on a range of topics within the curriculum
- Faciliate cross-disciplinary projects
- Deepen students understanding of scientific concepts and their ability to conduct experiments based on behaviour, feedback and control
- Improve understanding of engineering concepts, for example, how gears, pulleys and levers operate
- Enable collaborative learning
- Introduce students to basic computer programming and robotics
- Improve oral language development, as students are motivated to learn descriptive, scientific and technical language while engaging in discussions with peers and with teachers
- Assist the writing process, as students plan strategies and record actions when problem solving
- Empower students to exceed personal limits by making learning more meaningful and connected to the real world
- Facilitate different work styles, learning styles, specifically constructivist learning and collaboration between peers and teachers
- Include all students in mixed ability groups. Students with specific learning or other difficulties can gain tremendous knowledge and boost self-confidence from this type of constructivist learning
How do I access professional development?
Empowering Minds Workshops and Support Groups are currently available in the following education centres:
| Education Centre | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Blackrock | 01 236500 |
| Drumcondra | 01 8576400 |
| Dublin West | 01 4528000 |
| Kildare | 045 530200 |
| Kilkenny | 056 7760200 |
| Sligo | 071 9138700 |
There is an equipment loan scheme in operation in these education centres which enables teachers, upon completion of an Empowering Minds Workshop, to borrow a set of equipment and try it out in their classroom for a period of up to 4 weeks, depending on availability. Ongoing support is available to all teachers in the form of Support Groups which can be scheduled by contacting the Education Centres.
Cathal O'Connell is the Project Co-ordinator and can be reached by phoning the NCTE on 01-7008200 .
Other useful links:
http://www.ncte.ie/ICTAdviceSupport/AdviceSheets/ProgrammableBricks/
http://www.empoweringminds.spd.dcu.ie
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