Advanced Learning — Teaching STEM Concepts through Robotics, Science Kits and Interactive Media

Advanced learning means teaching kids about challenging their young, talented minds and stretching their abilities with flexible, individualized learning approaches and unique enrichment opportunities.

The concept of Advanced learning is teaching kids by experimenting, i.e., getting some hands-on experience by doing. Advance learning tools include robotics, which makes kids learn about the machines in simple yet with deep understanding of the mechanical science; Science Kits, which makes kids learn about the basic science concepts like solar system, rotation of earth, heavenly bodies, growth of plants, animals, human body, etc. and the CDs/DVDs, which include the whole curriculum of their grade in animated form for their better understanding.

In this article we are discussing all these advanced learning tools for kids in detail.

Robotics

Robotics is a multi-disciplinary tool that is being increasingly used by over 5,000 schools worldwide to motivate, excite and inspire children about math and science.

Robotics inspires students to make connections across several disciplines rather than learning topics in isolation as it combines mechanical, electronic, electrical and programming skills. Students are motivated to learn by creating their own robotic devices, while at the same time gain a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary fields of study. In addition, robotics appeals to a broad range of students and allows multiple points of access to science and technology for a variety of learners.

Besides the above it's exciting for students and easy to implement for teachers, robotics is the premier vehicle for hands-on delivery of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts to students. Also, through robotics, students build significant skills – problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Robotics is already playing a very pivotal and cutting edge role in diverse sectors such as manufacturing avionics, medicine, defense, automobile, and entertainment to name a few.

As technology becomes gradually more significant in today’s world, it is important to not only learn how to use technology, but also to understand how to create it. Technology is the future and today’s kids are tomorrow’s technologists. Give your child the robotics experience of learning.

Benefits of Robotics Education

• Brings out innovation and creativity
• Builds logical thinking
• Helps in collaborative learning
• Facilitates constructivist learning
• Develops teamwork
• Enhances problem solving skills
• Gives visual grasp of math and science
• Helps in absorbing future technologies with ease
• Learning by making things
• Numeracy Competence with numbers and measures
• Self-management
• Teaches through discovery (Causes and Effect Learning)

Science Kits and Their Benefits to the Children

There is no dearth of the reading material and textbooks about Science. Nevertheless, these resources are not very much favored by school children as they find reading about Science in textbooks dull and monotonous. A lot of researches in this field show, children (even adults) still prefer experiential learning.

Science Kits are not only children, but also good companion of teachers and parents in learning more about Science in an informative yet fun way. Now, learning about Science is not so boring with Science kits. These kits are designed to generally complement the textbooks of most Science classes.

Science Kits are treated as educational toys for the reason that they concretely teaches principles of Science, gives in-depth knowledge about Science and hands-on learning of the subject by doing experimentation. These kits are widely available in most bookstores, school supplies shops and even online educational stores.

A lot of topics have been covered through Science kits. Topics about human anatomy, animals, plants, the earth, the solar system, the heavenly bodies, many topics of physics and chemistry, and a lot more are covered with these Science Kits. They are packed as a kit with genuine replica or models of the certain topic.

Science kits are not just created to educate but also to entertain. A lot of its function is to informatively entertain the children and make them understand the science concepts. The recent ones are about technology and gadgets. Children can experience and see how gadgets are made and how they function.

All of these different types of Science kits have specific age range. The simplest are of course applicable to children between the age three to five. Then there are kits for school children from age six to nine. There are also Science kits which are a little more complex designed for older students in high school.

When purchasing kits, make sure that they are within child’s age range for information and process compatibility. Supervision of teachers and parents is still required particularly for children below twelve years of age.

Benefits of Educational CDs/DVDs for Children

Interactive and Fun Learning VCDs/DVDs represents real life situations and its interactivity permits children to analyze the situations, associate themselves with the characters, and get feedback on their answers. There is plethora of educational toys, computer games, fun learning VCD’s for children in offline and online market today. Parents and educators often see these tools as a way to advance their young kid’s computer literacy skills as well as reading, math and critical analytical skills.

Read more about the benefits of educational CDs/CDs in our previous article. Benefits of Educational CDs/DVDs for Children.

Benefits of Educational CDs for Children - A New Era of Fun Learning

Interactive and Fun Learning VCDs/DVDs represents real life situations and its interactivity permits children to analyze the situations, associate themselves with the characters, and get feedback on their answers. There is plethora of educational toys, computer games, fun learning VCD’s for children in offline and online market today. Parents and educators often see these tools as a way to advance their young kid’s computer literacy skills as well as reading, math and critical analytical skills. There is a variety of types available for children of all ages.

Educational CD’s remain a popular choice of both parents and children so make the most of your viewing time by choosing wisely. Lively and upbeat educational VCD’s having good and melodious sounds plus nice graphics can turn passive viewing into a valuable learning experience, and hence  more things to retain for the kids in their brains. For example, younger children respond well to school topics such as learning to read, ABC’s, Numbers, Shapes, Colors, Stories, Rhymes and more. Why not encourage your child’s participation by viewing and singing along as well!

Likewise, listening to lively children’s VCD’s can be a stimulating experience for children. Whether in the car, during playtime or anytime, these educational VCD’s can be a source of entertainment and exposure to basic concepts or fictional characters. You can also enjoy the music with your child by singing, clapping and dancing along. Music introduces rhyme and rhythm, and is an important part of learning.

In addition to building fundamental language skills, reading is beneficial for all children for the reason that it is an essential part to learning all subjects. Fortunately, there are now so many VCD’s available to parents and teachers alike that make learning much more convenient for children. While children can benefit from the conventional teaching methods in the classroom, VCD’s make the process fun for children, which effectively turns learning into child's play. And Kid’s really do enjoy watching animated movies.

Another significant aspect of VCDs/DVDs is the section which is targeting educators. The CD-ROM offers a number of lesson plans which teachers can use in class, and children themselves can use these CDs for home learning, each one is based upon the topics of practical life situations, presented in an easily understandable manner. The same aspect is taken during the production of Children Educational CDs . A special tool has been designed for secondary schools as well for most of the state education boards - A manual which enables the teachers and the Instructional designers to integrate topics within the set curriculum, topics could then help the students in their personal and social development.

Many types of Educational VCD’s / CD’s are available across online & offline stores as :

Math and Reading Help

Math and Reading Help VCDs contain a number of different ways to assist children in developing their mathematical and reading skills. The VCD contains different number and alphabet games to aid comprehension. Among these games is a version of "Hangman" that helps children try and understand words by guessing letters. This game works by enhancing letter recognition skills. This also aids in sight word recognition as well as improving the spelling skills.

The Phonics Game

The Phonics VCD imparts the sounds of the letters as well as spelling rules using fun games. Some games involve the use of cards, while others are accompanied by instructional voice over that too in very melodious voice to keep children listen and follow. The Phonics VCD also includes games to sharpen computer skills as well as audio voiceovers for increased comprehension of the child.

Word Chase

Word Chase is one of the most popular board games that help children read by introducing them to some of the most common words in the English language. Made for children ages four and older, it includes only lowercase letters for the reason that they are found most often. Word Chase is a good starting point for children who are learning to read. A buzzing sound even lets children know if a letter is upside down, helping them to recognize the correct placement. Word Chase is a fun way for kids to spend time with their parents while learning their sight words. And what a best alternative could be than a VCD comprising all the word chase games through which children can learn the alphabets and numbers.

The Benefits of Fun Learning VCDs/DVDs:

• Introducing preschoolers to significant pre-reading skills.
• Activities focus on Cause and Effects, Labeling Emotions and Exploring social and emotional Consequences of decisions.
• Set to very lively, toe-tapping music based on Mozart and Beethoven classics.
• Social skills are stressed throughout; Characters work together to achieve a goal, and ultimately end their experience on a positive note.
• Provide a good early computer experience.
• Provoke positive feelings toward computers.
• Give emphasis to short-term memory skills.
•  Reinforce abilities such as following directions and listening.