Using the PrimaryConnections Science Program to Teach Technology

Using the PrimaryConnections Science Program to Teach Technology

Learning Area

Design and Technology

Year Level

Four

Strand

Technologies Contexts

Sub-Strand

Engineering principles and systems

Forces, and the properties of materials, affect the behaviour of a product or system (ACTDEK011)

This is from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) however the equivalent for the Australian curriculum can be found online.

Link to the Resource

Hard Copy ($42):

https://www.primaryconnections.org.au/shop/2PC405-BK

Online resource available on Scootle for free; however, you will need to create an account:

http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/S7161/Package-it-better-2012/index.html

To watch PrimaryConnections in action within the classroom click here and it will take you to their YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmx-UK7n-78qwCi4tnJYdDQ

Cross Curricular Priorities

Critical and creative thinking (CCT), Personal and social capability (PSC)

Links to Other Learning Areas

Science, Literacy, Mathematics

Some Background on the Creators

The Australian Academy of Science has linked science with literacy through the innovative program that is PrimaryConnections. The many lesson ideas and units created through PrimaryConnections use an inquiry-based approach to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in both science and literacy; however, many of the lessons can be adapted to suit teaching different aspects of the curriculum. To find out more, please visit the PrimaryConnections website at https://primaryconnections.org.au/about.

Using this Resource

Whilst this resource is set to a quite specific year level and section of the curriculum, it is very easy to implement in the classroom. The program is an eight week course that is designed to cover an entire section of the year four chemistry curriculum. However; looking deeper into the content and tasks required of the students, it is actually a program that coincides very closely with the technologies curriculum. The program is essential lesson plans that include diagnostic, formative and summative assessments; with sequential lessons that build on each other with every activity. The entire program is extremely hands on, with each child being placed into groups and assigned a role, which is linked to improving personal and social capabilities. It caters for visual, audible and kinaesthetic learners. Much of the work is already done for you, it just needs to be adapted to have more of a technology focus if you so desire. If year four is not your year, PrimaryConnections offer science programs for every year level K-12, all of which have ideas on how to teach lessons based on technology. It is just up to you to adapt the program accordingly!

Blue-Bot

bluebot_connected_450_1.png

Subject: Technologies Year Level: Suitable for all years

Strand: Digital Technologies Sub strand: Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Recognise and explore patterns in data and represent data as pictures, symbols and diagrams (ACTDIK002)

Identify and explore a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

Overview of Blue-Bot: Blue-Bot is a robot that can be programmed in a variety of ways providing progression for children. It is controllable via bluetooth which means you can control it with your tablet or PC. It provides children with a means of creating their own logical programming sequences in a fun and interesting way.

At the beginning the keys on the Blue-Bot’s back are pressed to control forward, backward, 90 degree turns, to pause and to stop. Using this approach children can build their first programs in simple logical steps. The Tactile Reader helps children further develop their programming skills by allowing them to visually create a linear programming sequence by placing cards into frame. For clarity, card sequences can be arranged either horizontally or vertically. Finally, it can also be controlled remotely by Apple, Android or Windows devices providing a wonderful practical example of programming a physical device.

The Blue-Bot comes ready to go with a rechargeable cell and USB recharging lead. Numerous other Blue-Bot resources are available, supporting its use in the classroom.

For more information and to purchase visit: http://www.tts-group.co.uk/blue-bot-bluetooth-programmable-floor-robot/1007812.html?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=BBvid16

Links to other learning areas: Mathematics

Content Descriptors: Location and transformation

Give and follow directions to familiar locations (ACMMG023)

Identify and describe half and quarter turns (ACMMG046)

Interactive Lesson Plan

 Toys – Lets Get Designing

Design_and_Technologies_-_Toys_(Year_2_-_Lesson_2)_

https://www.mindmeister.com/503531331#

This lesson is appropriate for a year 2 class studying design and technology. It is interactive and hands on making it appropriate for the age level. It can easily be linked in with the year 2 history curriculum. The lesson is inclusive and easily adaptable for students with learning difficulties and other needs. There is not a high element of risk involved so no other safety or risk management considerations need to be put in place. Assessment is done through a rating scale and by observing the child work. Observation and information can also be gathered from class discussions.

 

Water Friend or Foe

Resource: Water: Friend or Foe. Discovery Education

Year level: Year 3-4

Subject: Design and Technology

Strand: Digital and Technologies Process and Production Skills

Sub-strand: Creating digital solutions by: Evaluating (4.6)

Cross Curriculum Priorities and general capabilities
Literacy (LIT)
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)
Personal and Social Capability (PSC)

Link to other learning areas: Geography and Science

Analysis:
This lesson is explicit and direct in assisting students to understand the risks of fire and what we can do to both prepare and prevent fire. The lesson directly addresses the positive and negative impact water can have on the environment. The lesson could be extended through the inclusion of additional tasks that consider the positive and negative impact that water has on humans internally and the effects on the human body.

The lesson educates students on what they should do in the event of a fire and what they need to do to protect themselves. The learning could be enriched by having students develop their own safety video making it more memorable for them if they were to experience this unlikely event.  The students could also design their own fire prevention kit where they include items that would assist if a fire were to occur. This could be included in the video.

This activity would give students an in-depth understanding and broader knowledge of the curriculum. Overall, the lesson adheres to the standards of natural hazards, risks and benefits.  Making the learning experience more hands on would ensure the content is remembered beyond the classroom.

 

Design and build lego cars

 Resource: Design and build lego cars

Year level: Year 1-2

Subject: Design and Technology

Strand: Design and Technologies Process and Production Skills

Substrand: Investigate (2.5), Generation (2.6), Producing (2.7), Evaluating (2.8) and Collaborating and managing (2.9)

Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities 

Literacy (LIT)

Numeracy (NUM)

Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)

Link to other learning areas: Maths and Science

Analysis:
In the Lego car lesson the students are required to design and create a car that would be used for a specific purpose, e.g. for speed, for rocky mountains etc. The students engage in a learning experience that is hands on and both intrinsically and extrinsically motivating. Giving the students the freedom to choose what they want in their car design will allow them to critically analyse what it is they need in order to produce an effective product. To provide the student with the opportunity to extend on their problem solving, creativity, innovation and understanding will ensure that they are achieving the requirements of the curriculum. Students are given the chance to evaluate and identify problems so that they can make adjustments and alterations to improve their design. Allowing the students time to critique their product will expand their thinking and understanding of how technology is always improving.

This lesson is authentic and credible to educating students on the importance on technology in today’s society.