MOUNT Burr Primary School teachers are shifting away from a textbook-dependent classroom and moving toward a student-centred, digital atmosphere driven by technology.
The school is currently one of five science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) lead schools in the state and teachers use the four specific disciplines to enhance learning across all subjects.
Each student has been presented with their own Samsung tablet computer and incorporate the use of Google Classroom, a portable interactive whiteboard, Gear Virtual Reality glasses and robotic and coding devices including Sphero, Pro-Bots and Bee-Bot in their lessons.
Upper primary school teacher Lisa Scott said some form of technology was incorporated in almost every subject.
“Every student has a Samsung tablet device now,” she said.
“They use them for a variety of different learning activities and subjects.
“We have also started using Google Education so they use their tablets a lot for that, as well as learning through web-based sites, typing, maths and digital art.
“Google Education is amazing, it allows students to look back on videos presented in classes, everything they learn in class is there in front of them and they can go back to it in their own time.
“We started using it this year.”
Sphero Robotics is a spherical robot controlled by a smartphone or tablet and provides a fun approach to learn about coding and how to manipulate design.
The program incorporates robotics and technology with collaborative STEM activities and nurtures student’s imaginations.
“We program the Sphero to complete obstacle courses that we have made,” student Tessa Quintel said.
“They are really fun.”
Meanwhile, Pro-Bots and Bee-Bots are programmable floor robots for younger students which teach basic control, directional language and programming and can be used in a range of ways to complement maths and history lessons.
Early learning and lower primary students are taught the importance of accurate instructions through the robotics program.
