SOLE + ICT = STEM

A few years ago now, I remember watching a TEDtalk about man who put computers into slum walls in India. The children within the slums learned how to operate the computers within a short amount of time. Children who couldn't read and write. However, they worked together and problem solved to figure the computer (which they hadn't previously seen) out. They were playing games, searching the web and watching YouTube clips.

At the time of watching this video, I was blown away at how much children could teach themselves outside of the four-walls of the classroom and without a teacher. So I was pleased to hear that more came from this and that the SOLE Project was born. SOLE stands for Student Organised Learning Environment.

You can also find out more information about the Hole In The Wall Project by clicking HERE.

Last year my school was introduced to this whole concept of 'SOLE' and from that four amazing projects were developed. The classes researched and created an action project around Recycling, Nutrition, our Schools History (as we are about to have our 150th birthday) and Cyber Bulling.

This year I was accepted into the SOLE project, however, we have moved away from the name SOLE and towards STEM (this term has been adopted by the Department of Education). For those who are not familiar with the term STEM, the letters stand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. You can learn more about what NESA states about STEM HERE.

I am working with three other teachers on this STEM Project. We all have various experiences with technology and STEM activities, and enjoy project-based learning. So far, we have had some professional learning around STEM. We've had an opportunity to pick topics that we want out classes to research (my class will be looking into Water Safety) and we've done some backwards mapping.

Professional Learning with the STEM Team

Backwards Mapping

Since this professional learning, my students have had the opportunity to explore some BIG QUESTIONS. By doing so, my students have been practicing the skills that will be needed once we start looking into our Water Safety topic.

We've looked at the following questions:

1. When is something worth celebrating? (linking in with History Stage 2 unit)
2. Why is National Reconciliation Week important? (linking in with National Celebration)

I have popped a few pictures from these lessons below, starting with resources that I have out and available. Students have access to the internet via desktop computers and iPads. They also can use whiteboards and markers, dictionaries, thesauruses and subject-specific books to find their information. Conversations between peers is encouraged.

Resources were out and available for students to use.

In the photos above, I taught students how to properly research as I found they were just typing the question directly into google. We looked at typing in keywords and skimming/scanning texts to quickly find the information that we need.

Students researching on the computers.

Students presenting their information in their own chosen way.

For the remainder of this year my class will be looking into Water Safety, particularly focussing on open-waters as our school is near a loch and a large river. Where we end up and how we approach this issue is completely unknown. My aim is to enable my students to dictate where we go and what we do with the information gained along the way. I would love to see my students create an awareness campaign that can be used in our community, with easy to follow steps that ensure everyone is safe around open-water. I would also love to see them complete resuscitation training as I feel everyone should have this knowledge.

Over the next few months I will keep you updated with how this project is progressing. So don't forget to follow my blog to receive updates about these upcoming posts as they're created.