Introduction: Navigating the AI Revolution in Education
In the digital age, where technology intersects with every aspect of learning, ChatGPT stands as a beacon of innovation in the educational landscape, particularly in enhancing student writing skills. For educators striving to merge traditional teaching methods with cutting-edge technology, ChatGPT offers a unique opportunity to transform students’ writing abilities. This comprehensive guide explores six compelling ways teachers can utilize ChatGPT to foster improved student writing skills, providing real-world examples and actionable advice.
1. Interactive Writing Sessions: A New Classroom Dynamic
ChatGPT revolutionizes writing education by introducing interactive writing sessions. This AI tool acts as a collaborative partner, engaging students in guided writing exercises that challenge and refine their writing abilities. Teachers can harness ChatGPT to simulate real-world writing scenarios, from crafting persuasive essays to exploring creative narratives, thereby honing students’ skills in various writing styles. This method promotes an engaging and responsive learning environment where students receive immediate feedback and suggestions, making the writing process more dynamic and effective.
2. Tailored Feedback: Personalized Learning with AI
ChatGPT‘s most significant strength is its capacity to provide personalized feedback on student writing. By analyzing individual writing pieces, this AI tool can offer targeted suggestions and corrections, ensuring that each student’s unique writing style and skill level are acknowledged and nurtured. Teachers can leverage ChatGPT to reinforce classroom instruction, offering students additional support in refining their writing skills. This approach caters to diverse learning styles and paces, making it an invaluable asset in the educator’s toolkit.
ChatGPT is a fountain of creative inspiration, generating many writing prompts that can ignite students’ imaginations and encourage them to explore different writing genres. These prompts, tailored to suit various educational levels and interests, can be used in classroom activities to stimulate creative thinking and expression. Whether it’s a science fiction scenario or a historical event reimagined, ChatGPT’s prompts can open new avenues for students to express their creativity, enhancing their writing skills.
4. Grammar and Style Refinement: The AI Edge
ChatGPT emerges as a critical ally for students in the realm of grammar and style. This AI tool provides instant feedback on grammar, punctuation, and stylistic elements, helping students understand and correct their mistakes in real-time. Teachers can integrate ChatGPT into their lesson plans to reinforce grammar rules and encourage stylistic experimentation, ultimately leading to a more refined and polished student writing output.
5. Self-Editing Skills: Fostering Independence
A crucial aspect of writing education is teaching students the art of self-editing. ChatGPT can be instrumental in this process, guiding students to identify areas for improvement in their writing and encouraging them to make thoughtful revisions. This interaction enhances their editing skills and fosters a sense of independence and confidence in their writing abilities. Teachers can use ChatGPT to create exercises focusing on self-editing, empowering students to take ownership of their writing process.
6. Interactive Writing Challenges: Engaging and Educating
Educators can employ ChatGPT to design interactive writing challenges to enhance writing skills. These challenges, which can range from short story contests to essay writing on current events, encourage active participation and allow students to apply their learning in a practical, enjoyable manner. By incorporating elements of competition and collaboration, these challenges can significantly boost student engagement and motivation, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the writing craft.
Conclusion: Charting the Future of Writing Education with ChatGPT
Integrating ChatGPT into writing education marks a significant shift in teaching methodologies. With its array of features, from offering personalized feedback to fostering creative expression, ChatGPT enriches the quality of writing education and aligns with the contemporary need for interactive, technology-driven learning experiences. As educators navigate this AI revolution, ChatGPT is an indispensable tool in shaping the future of educational practices, especially in developing language and writing skills.
In an era where digital literacy is paramount, embracing ChatGPT in the writing curriculum is not just innovative; it’s essential. This tool elevates the quality of writing education and meets the modern-day requirements for engaging, technology-enhanced learning experiences. By harnessing the power of ChatGPT, educators can equip their students with the skills necessary to excel in writing, setting them on a path to academic success and beyond.
Actionable Advice for Teachers: Implementing ChatGPT in Your Classroom
Start Small: Introduce ChatGPT with simple writing tasks and gradually increase complexity as students become more comfortable with the technology.
Blend with Traditional Methods: Use ChatGPT to supplement your teaching strategies, ensuring a balanced approach to writing education.
Encourage Exploration: Motivate students to experiment with different writing styles and genres through ChatGPT’s diverse prompts and suggestions.
Monitor Progress: Regularly assess students’ writing improvements and adapt your use of ChatGPT based on their evolving needs and skills.
Foster Collaboration: Create group writing projects where students can use ChatGPT collaboratively, encouraging teamwork and collective learning.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest AI and educational technology developments to continuously enhance your teaching methods.
As educators, your role in guiding students through this AI-enhanced learning journey is pivotal. By strategically integrating ChatGPT into your teaching, you not only enhance your students’ writing skills but also prepare them for a future where technology and education are inextricably linked. Embrace this opportunity to be at the forefront of educational innovation, inspiring a new generation of confident, skilled writers.
Incorporating ChatGPT into your teaching strategy offers a unique opportunity to enhance your students’ writing skills while embracing the potential of AI in education. By following these actionable steps and leveraging the power of ChatGPT, you can provide your students with a more dynamic, engaging, and effective learning experience. As you embark on this journey, remember that the goal is to improve writing skills and prepare students for a future where technology and creativity go hand in hand.
Stepping into the HundrED Global Collection 2024 as Twin Science & Robotics’ co-founder was more than an honor; it was a moment of reflection on our unwavering mission. Our dedication to intertwining STEAM with sustainability was recognized globally, validating our efforts to prepare young minds for a future where they lead with innovation and compassion. This recognition is not just for Twin Science & Robotics but for every educator and student who believes in the transformative power of education.
In this post, I’ll take you through our alignment with HundrED’s mission, approach to STEAM education, and shared vision for a sustainable future.
Identifying the Educational Imperative
Our mission at Twin Science & Robotics is rooted in the belief that education needs to evolve. We face a world where traditional educational methods are losing their efficacy, and the urgency of sustainability must be addressed. Our work, recognized by HundrED, addresses this by embedding critical thinking, creativity, and environmental stewardship into the fabric of our STEAM curriculum.
The Need for Agile Education Systems
In educational innovation, a stark contrast emerges when comparing traditional systems to the dynamic nature of nonprofits, where approximately 75% of innovations occur. Traditional education, often likened to a drogher, lacks agility and the ability to navigate the open seas of modern challenges. It remains anchored, needing help to adapt quickly to the changing needs of society. Today’s world demands more than problem solvers; it requires critical thinkers capable of identifying pertinent issues and responsible decision-makers prioritizing sustainable living over excessive consumption.
I’ve observed how HundrED’s model, focusing on identifying and scaling impactful innovations, mirrors our journey. Twin Science emerged from a deep understanding that the future of education lies in integrating STEM with humanitarian values and sustainability. This alignment is a testament to our shared mission with HundrED.
HundrED’s framework emphasizes identifying transformative educational practices and ensuring they reach a wider audience. This resonates with our approach at Twin Science, where we strive to create tools that are not just educational but also serve as catalysts for societal change. Our AI-powered lesson plans and hands-on kits embody this vision, aiming to transform passive learning into an active process of exploration and problem-solving.
Our journey parallels HundrED’s mission in several ways. Firstly, our innovation in education reflects HundrED’s commitment to finding scalable and impactful educational methods. We both recognize the need for a shift in traditional teaching methodologies, embracing a more holistic and student-centered approach. Our AI-powered teacher platform and gamified student app are prime examples of this, blending technology with pedagogy to create an engaging and practical learning experience.
Secondly, just as HundrED aims to amplify innovative solutions for a global audience, Twin Science & Robotics has expanded its reach to various countries, impacting over 750,000 students. Our international presence underscores our commitment to making quality education accessible to all, irrespective of geographical boundaries. HundrED’s model of scalability and impact aligns with our goal of reaching every child, offering them the tools to become change-makers in their communities.
Lastly, the HundrED model champions collaboration and community-building, values we hold dear at Twin Science. We believe in the power of partnership and community engagement to drive educational innovation. Our collaborations with educators, parents, and students are crucial in refining our offerings and ensuring they remain relevant and practical.
In summary, HundrED’s model reflects our journey at Twin Science & Robotics. Our shared values and objectives underscore our commitment to revolutionizing education through innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions. We are honored to be part of the HundrED community and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to reshape education for a sustainable future.
The ‘Why’ Behind Our Innovation
Simon Sinek’s ‘Golden Circle’ model, as presented by HundrED, encapsulates the essence of our approach—start with ‘Why.’ ‘Why’ signifies our commitment to every child’s flourishing. Our ‘How’ involves harnessing a community of educators and parents to bring our ‘What’—Twin’s innovative STEAM solutions—to life. This model is a blueprint for our actions and reaffirms our goal to inspire children to become empathetic leaders and innovators.
To make a difference truly, we must start with a vital purpose, a compelling reason that propels us forward. For Twin, this purpose is clear – to empower every child to flourish and become an agent of change in a rapidly evolving world.
Our ‘Why’ is rooted in the belief that education should be more than just an accumulation of knowledge. It should be a transformative experience that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. This ethos led us to develop innovative STEM solutions to meaningfully inspire and engage young minds. Through our interactive digital app and hands-on kits, we aim to provide children with a holistic learning experience that blends scientific knowledge with humanitarian values.
Moreover, our ‘Why’ aligns perfectly with HundrED’s mission of transforming education. Like HundrED, we recognize the need for educational models that are adaptable, impactful, and scalable. By focusing on ‘Why,’ we ensure that our innovations are technologically advanced and culturally and socially relevant. This alignment with HundrED’s vision strengthens our resolve to create educational experiences that are intellectually stimulating and emotionally and socially enriching.
Diverse Perspectives on Education’s Future
Educational philosophies vary significantly—some advocate for a universal, standardized approach, emphasizing the urgency of addressing global educational needs. In contrast, others argue for a more contextualized, localized education system tailored to the unique needs of different communities. At Twin Science & Robotics, we champion a values and skills-based education system, focusing on the personalized learning journey of each child. Our approach places cognitive, social, and emotional learning skills at the forefront, showcasing common global challenges like climate change and pollution. Though these issues vary in impact across regions, they universally affect us.
Amplifying Our Core Values: Keywords of Change
In educational innovation, keywords often serve as beacons, guiding the direction of progress. At Twin Science & Robotics, specific keywords resonate with our core values, echoing through our every initiative. These keywords – ‘critical thinking,’ ‘sustainability,’ ‘compassion,’ and ‘professional development’ – are not mere buzzwords; they are the pillars upon which we build our educational philosophy.
Our commitment to these values is reflected in our collaboration with HundrED. The HundrED community’s focus on similar values reinforces our belief in the transformative power of education. Critical thinking lies at the core of our approach, encouraging students to question, analyze, and innovate. Sustainability is another critical area, guiding us to design solutions that educate and inspire students to become stewards of the planet.
Compassion is integral to our mission, as empathy should be a cornerstone of education. It’s not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about nurturing kind, considerate, and socially responsible individuals. Professional development for educators is equally crucial, as it ensures that the facilitators of learning are equipped with the latest tools and methodologies.
The presence of these keywords in HundrED’s innovation trends validates our direction. It serves as a reminder that our mission aligns with a global movement towards more holistic, inclusive, and forward-thinking education. By amplifying these core values, we contribute to the educational discourse and take active steps toward shaping a future where education is the foundation of a better, more sustainable world.
Fostering a Sustainable Future Through Education
Our hope is bolstered by observing that many selected innovations at HundrED 2024 echo our commitment to sustainability. This trend is heartening, and we aspire to see more organizations join this mission for a sustainable future. The need for sustainable education transcends geographical boundaries, as issues like air and plastic pollution impact every individual, regardless of location.
Bridging the Gap with Hands-On & A Blend of Digital and Physical Solutions
Our response to the educational challenge is hands-on, engaging, and digitally integrated. We provide tools for children to learn and apply their knowledge in ways that benefit our planet. This approach is creating a new paradigm in education, one where sustainability and technology meet, preparing our students for the green jobs of the future.
Empowering Educators for the Future
A significant focus at Twin Science & Robotics is the professional development of educators. Recognizing teachers as pivotal in the learning process, Twin serves as a digital assistant, offering engaging and beneficial solutions for both students and teachers. Our platform empowers educational organizations, enabling them to impact schools most effectively. By bridging cutting-edge educational innovations with children, Twin sets the stage for a more informed, capable, and sustainable future.
Realizing the Impact
The HundrED recognition is a testament to the positive change we are fostering. Our programs ignite a passion for learning and innovation in over 750,000 children across multiple countries. The benefits of our approach are clear: heightened academic engagement, enhanced problem-solving skills, and a new generation of students empowered to make sustainable choices.
Twin’s Role in Transforming Education
Twin Science & Robotics is a comprehensive platform that equips educational entities to make a profound impact. By connecting the best educational innovations with students worldwide, Twin is not just an educational tool; it’s a bridge that brings transformative learning experiences directly to classrooms. This approach ensures that the potential of every child is unlocked, aligning with our vision of a world where education is the cornerstone of sustainable development and innovation.
Conclusion
Our recognition at HundrED Global Collection 2024 is more than an honor; it reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation through STEAM education. It underscores our belief that we can prepare children to adapt to the future and shape it with the right tools and approach. Join us on this journey, and let’s make education the foundation of a sustainable, innovative, and equitable world. Together, we can foster a generation of learners who are not only tech-savvy but also profoundly attuned to the health of our planet.
STEM education, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an essential approach that enhances crucial skills in children. However, motivating and effectively reinforcing knowledge with traditional learning methods can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, in recent years, a game-based learning approach in STEM education has emerged as a solution to make learning more enjoyable and effective for children. In this blog, we will explore the game-based learning approach in STEM education and how it enables children to experience more active and conscious learning processes.
Game-based learning and STEM education:
Firstly, it is important to understand what game-based learning is and how it relates to STEM education. Game-based learning is an interactive method that allows children to learn while having fun. How is this approach integrated into STEM education, and why is it preferred? Let’s find out!
The impact of fun and learning:
Can learning be enjoyable? Absolutely! A fun learning environment for children makes learning more attractive and enables them to retain knowledge more effectively than traditional textbooks. The knowledge obtained through games can be more engaging and memorable. So, what are the advantages of a STEM education filled with games? Let’s explore!
Problem solving and creativity:
Games help children develop problem-solving and creativity skills. Exciting and thrilling tasks encourage them to use their mental abilities and come up with different solutions. This, in turn, helps them cope with challenges they may encounter in real life.
Collaborative learning experience:
Game-based learning also contributes to the development of collaborative and teamwork skills. Games encourage children to work together and exchange ideas, thus strengthening their social skills. As a result, children improve their communication skills and learn how to collaborate effectively with others.
Learning with Virtual and Augmented Reality: When technology is integrated into game-based learning, it makes the educational experience even more interesting and interactive. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies enable children to experience events that are not possible in the real world, thus allowing for deeper learning experiences.
Assessment and feedback:
Game-based learning offers an effective method to assess children’s progress and provide feedback. Through games, children’s performance is tracked, and they receive personalized feedback to help them improve their skills.
Conclusion:
The game-based learning approach in STEM education keeps children’s interest in learning alive while enhancing their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This engaging and effective learning method nurtures children’s curiosity, boosts their self-confidence, and prepares them as future leaders. Supporting the game-based learning approach in STEM education helps children discover their potential and contributes to their exciting journey into the world of science. It’s time to say hello to the future science heroes by initiating a STEM education enriched with game-based learning!
Purpose-led STEM education is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and children can benefit from learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics early on. They can use their STEM skills to build a better and sustainable future. Twin’s STEM For Sustainability approach is built on this philosophy. Twin produced different products to enhance and nurture children’s STEM skills in this area.
Twin STEM Kits are an innovative way to introduce children to STEM For Sustainability concepts in everyday life. Twin STEM Kits come with sets of different hands-on activities designed to be completed by a single or pair of children, providing an interactive experience that encourages creativity and teamwork. Nurtured by Twin’s double-winged education, children worldwide design and prototyping projects to solve future problems such as ocean cleaning robots or sustainable farms. Each project is sure to help children develop valuable problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while also inspiring them to explore their creative capabilities.
How Twin STEM Kits foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork
STEM activities can help encourage creativity in children and spark a passion for discovery and knowledge while providing them with valuable skills they can apply in the future. LEGO-compatible Twin STEM Kits are a great way to introduce STEM concepts and foster creativity, as well as develop teamwork in a fun, interactive way. Children can learn about robotics, circuits, and simple programming through these activities, all while working with a partner. The collaborative nature of the activities promotes teamwork and encourages children to work together and problem-solve, making the process fun and engaging. Furthermore, working together in this way allows children to develop their communication and negotiation skills, as well as enhance their positive self-image. By completing these activities together, children will also learn how to collaborate and work as a team, a crucial skill they can apply to their everyday life.
Welcome to a world of creativity and invention! Let’s explore 10 creative projects children have prototyped using Twin STEM Kits. This collection of projects showcases the boundless imagination of young minds that have been able to use the Twin kits to build what they imagined. These projects are sure to inspire children of all ages.
1) Sustainable Farm
This project will use the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of Twin STEM Kits to create a sustainable farm that can generate its own energy, collect and recycle water, and produce organic produce. The project will also include a greenhouse, a weather monitoring system, and sensors to monitor the quality of the soil and water.
2) Ocean Cleaning Robot
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of Twin STEM Kits to create a robot that can collect plastic and other debris from the ocean. The robot will have a sensor to detect underwater objects, a vacuum system to collect debris, and an automated navigation system.
3) Smart Cane For Visually Impaired
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of Twin STEM Kits to create a smart cane for the visually impaired. The cane will have sensors to detect obstacles and guide the user safely around them. The cane will also be equipped with a navigation system and a light to help the user find their way.
4) Multi-Storey Tech Park
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of Twin STEM Kits to create a multi-storey park, including sensors to detect the presence of vehicles with automated ticketing and auto-folding door.
5) Autonomous Car
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of the Twin STEM Kits to build a vehicle that can move on its own. It can be programmed to follow a certain route and be remotely controlled by the user.
6) Drawing Machine
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of the Twin STEM Kits to build a device that can create a unique piece of art. The user can customize the speed and direction of the rotating canvas, and it can be programmed to light up in different colours to create a unique design.
7) Auto-Pet Feeder
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of the Twin STEM Kits to build an automated pet feeder. It can be programmed to make food available at certain times of the day, and the child can also set the amount of food that should be available each time.
8) Auto-Tea Maker
This project uses the LEGO-compatible electronic modules of the Twin STEM Kits to build an automated tea maker. The user can set the desired temperature, tea strength and quantity of tea leaves to be used, and the tea maker will automatically brew the tea according to these preferences.
9) A Builders Winch
This project uses the Twin STEM Kit’s LEGO-compatible electronic modules to create a winch that can be used to lift heavy objects. The winch is operated by a motorized gearbox and can be controlled by a wireless remote control.
10) Hand-Waving Robot
This project uses the Twin STEM Kit’s LEGO-compatible electronic modules to create a robot that can be programmed to wave its arms in a wave-like motion. A series of servos operate the robot.
Children can learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics early on. Twin STEM Kits are an innovative way to introduce children to STEM concepts in everyday life. These kits come with sets of activities providing an interactive experience that encourages hands-on creativity.
The implementation of STEM Education in Schools has become a significant trend to combat today’s global challenges through the combination of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Countries around the world are recognizing the importance of incorporating STEM Education in Schools to equip tomorrow’s workforce with 21st century skills that are in high demand and will be crucial for the future. STEM Education can help schools run more efficiently while improving their overall student outcomes. Whether you lead a school or work with students there, it’s important to know how implementing STEM Education can benefit your program. In this blog post, we will provide you insights on what implementing STEM Education means and potential benefits of doing so.
What is STEM Education?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These areas of study are interrelated and based on reason, observation, and experimentation. STEM Education is all about exposing students to these subjects and skills using methods that are age appropriate, engaging, and fun. The goal of STEM Education is to help students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem solving abilities.STEM Education can be used to teach a variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, and physics. It can also focus on developing specific skills like coding, robotics, and engineering. STEM Education is not limited to just academic subjects. It can also focus on developing social and emotional skills and help develop positive behaviours like teamwork, collaboration, and perseverance.
Why is STEM Education Important?
STEM Education is important because it will prepare students for the future work force. The majority of jobs will require skills that come from STEM Education and there are many reasons why.STEM Education can help children develop good study habits and work ethic as they will be required to put effort into their education. It can also teach children how to be better leaders. This is because STEM Education emphasizes communication skills, teamwork, and collaboration.STEM Education can also help children grow and learn from their mistakes. If children are pushed to succeed from the beginning, they may have unrealistic expectations for what their future holds. They will also not be able to identify any areas for improvement.
How to Implement STEM Education in Schools?
STEM Education is not one-size-fits-all. It’s important to conduct a study of your students and their interests to find out which areas are most relevant to your program. Once you have figured out the major areas of study in STEM, you can create fun and engaging activities for your students. There are a number of ways you can implement STEM Education in your school.Scaffolding – If you are just starting with STEM Education, you may want to consider scaffolding. This means you start with the basics and gradually add new concepts. You may want to find a STEM-friendly online course or try out some of the fun and engaging STEM Education games your students may love. You can also integrate STEAM concepts into your daily lessons.STEM-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES – If you have a lot of extra time, you can create your own STEM-friendly activities using resources like Science and Engineering Inc. (SciEng.com) or National Institute for Collaborative Innovation (NICI). You can also look for other hands-on activities or competitions that are already being conducted in your area.STEM-MEETS-REASON – You can also try integrating STEM Education with reason-based learning. This means you have students create hypotheses and test them out with experiments.
Example of a School that has incorporated STEM education
Amarillo High School — The School District of Amarillo challenged its schools to incorporate STEM Education and create new programs and materials in STEM areas. As response, the district saw an increase in the number of STEM-related clubs, activities, and materials in Amarillo schools. This resulted in more students getting interested in STEM careers, more advanced STEM classes were filled, and the district was able to retain STEM graduates at a higher rate.The initiative created a sense of pride among the community and helped high-schoolers prepare themselves for the future. The initiatives were also able to attract more students to STEM fields at the university level. A sampling of how the district implemented STEM Education in their schools include:- The Career Clusters Program identifies everyday careers that are growing and changing. Amarillo High School students use the Career Clusters Program to help them identify their passions, passions of others in their school, and possible career paths that would help them reach their goals.- The High School’s STEM Lab offers hands-on STEM activities, including a 3D printer, an engineering robot, and an electronics lab. The lab also has a virtual reality station to help students experience STEM concepts like flight and gravity.- The District also hosts a STEM Expo that offers a variety of STEM-oriented activities for the community, including STEM demonstrations, STEM games, and STEM workshops.
Summary
STEM Education is a great way to engage your students and build their knowledge in STEM fields. There are many ways to implement STEM Education in your school, including using games, hands-on activities, and online courses. When you are looking for ways to implement STEM Education in your school, keep in mind that it is important to find activities and lessons that engage your students while also fulfilling the curriculum.
Do you want to share ideas for a brighter future with young people? If you are an enthusiastic teacher, scientist, technologist or explorer with a background in either STEM+A or sustainable development, here is an opportunity as a content creator for Twin Science that might be right up your street. The role is both utterly flexible and highly rewarding.
Learning through Play
Teachers love to impart information. Providing knowledge through inspiring lessons, assessing pupils’ work and collaborating with other staff is what they do day in and day out. Many young people find it difficult to concentrate for a full hour in the classroom with all its distractions, but learning through small videobits of online interactive content can really engage them. On our rapidly changing planet, in addition to learning curriculum content, ideally all children should learn skills such as critical thinking and problem solving alongside developing a sense of self as a global citizen.
Sometimes it’s easy to believe kids play online games for too long. Hours in front of a screen shooting aliens, dodging busy roads or gathering gold can’t be particularly good for either their mental health or their education. However, Twin Science is using the attraction of electronic games to develop STEM+A competence and social conscience in young people. According to a world expert, Lego®, there’s a wealth of science to support the benefits of learning through play; children are born to learn through play, they should be in charge of their play and they learn best from experiences that are joyful, meaningful, actively engaging, iterative and socially interactive.
The Twin App
The Twin App is filled with educational games, quizzes, challenges and interactive videos called ‘Discovery Bits’; the App is already inspiring young minds with around 50,000 downloads. It brings together content on STEM+A combined with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in an entertaining & engaging format. The content creators are passionate about their expertise areas introducing real-life problems related to social and environmental issues together with the solutions that can help solve them. This approach feels like it will be a big part of the future of education.
STEM+A Content
The school curriculum is often lacking in climate and sustainability education but teachers and STEM+A enthusiasts can use EdTech to share their solutions to the complex challenges young people face now and in the future. The Twin App leads children, aged 7 to 12, to construct knowledge themselves through interactive, inquiry-based activities, rather than having them passively consume the knowledge. Content must be relatable to the user, for example, using Lego® bricks to explain coding or promoting an understanding of pulleys to enable children to appreciate how gravity batteries can be used as a source of clean energy.
At the end of each Discovery Bit, recommendations can be added linking to similar videos or experiments and project ideas that allow kids to apply their knowledge in a practical, hands-on way. The possibilities for this STEM4Good content linked to the curriculum are near endless, from nanomaterials to renewable energy or the protection of endangered animals to polar exploration for climate research.
Education for sustainability
There are important issues which are really not covered in the national curriculum; from soil science and food resilience to sustainable transport and reduced consumption. Without a real understanding of these issues, we can not assume individuals will willingly make the necessary decisions to move towards a more sustainable way of life. Many aspects of life are interdisciplinary, blurring the edges of the curricular subjects.
The Twin solution is to teach children using the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure learning is relevant and engaging, inspiring children to become creative and curious problem solvers who can think about the big picture and find innovative solutions to the world’s issues. Global learning also helps cover social and emotional skills such as empathy or social responsibility. The aim is for all Discovery Bits to link to at least one of the SDGs from the first, No Poverty (SDG1) to the last, Partnerships for the Goals (SDG17). The videos can even link to the use or application of a product of a Tech4Good company such as a portable water test kit which would link to Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6). If you are not yet familiar with the SDGs, help is at hand from Twin or in the Education for Sustainable Development Goals Learning Objectives by UNESCO.
Questions, questions
The App is focussed on student-centered learning to develop hard skills such as programming or analysis, soft skills including communication and critical thinking and personal values such as resilience, empathy and curiosity. But we also need to keep children engaged and assess their learning. All educators like to ask questions, it ensures the people they are talking to are listening. Embedded in each Discovery Bit are questions that require a response to encourage children to think and link concepts. The scripts allow for different types of questions and answer combinations; from multiple choice, to clickable images to surveys, these are what make the videos so sticky.
Got an idea?
If you think you have something to share with young people, Twin would love you to help build their database of content for the App. Given the lack of climate and sustainability education within many schools this seems like a real opportunity to raise awareness of these serious issues but, most importantly, that there are solutions to the challenges we face.
With a bit of training you could produce a Discovery Bit like this one on generating electricity with gravity(it was the first one I made so no laughing please, my own skills at content creation are still improving).
Even if you don’t have an idea yet, the Twin team can help out. There are so many stories that need to be told.
Process flow
Once you have come up with an idea, after a 1 hour onboarding training meeting it takes about 2-3 hours to write the script for each Discovery Bit and an hour to complete the filming, all done from the comfort of your own home or office. You can find stock images for the video using elements.envato.com or shutterstock.com. The team at Twin keeps in communication to lend a hand and answer any questions. They will provide feedback for any revisions needed and then they spin all of the magic on the app integration and film editing side.
In return for your efforts as a content creator there is a one-off payment for each Discovery Bit, a revenue share based on the time App users spend on your content and 3 month free access Twinner cards to share with pupils or friends. There is also an affiliate scheme for any subscriptions that you generate.
The one aspect that hasn’t been mentioned yet is that the process is fun! Educators enjoy imparting knowledge, this is different from the classroom but Twin can provide feedback on how long users are spending on your Discovery Bits and you can collaborate with other members of the team to see what works well. Take a step outside your comfort zone, you might enjoy it!
Further info, examples and a sign up form can be found on:
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