Dive Brief:
- LEGO Education WeDo 2.0, described as a "a hands-on science solution designed for elementary classrooms using a robot-based learning system," launched at the International Consumer Electronics Show last week.
- The program uses traditional LEGO bricks in conjunction with software and standards-based projects in order to help students gain science, engineering, and tech skills via hands-on engagement.
- Teachers get training and support to administer the curriculum, which is around 40 hours. Software can run on Mac, iPad, PC, or Android systems, with a Chromebook rollout expected later this year.
Dive Insight:
The guided and open-ended lessons for students incorporated within the software also encourage creative learning, instead of the acquisition of skills based on standards alone.
Jeffrey Marlow, a Geobiologist at Harvard University and founder of The Mars Academy education and development program, told eSchoolNews that students can explored the surface of Mars or an Amazon rainforest in an "immersive experience" which helps develop "a deeper understanding of the scientific method and evidence-based reasoning."
By incorporating resources for teachers in their new software, the LEGO WeDo 2.0 definitely is positioned to succeed in terms of teacher buy-in, which has been proven to be important to the success of new tech initiatives in the classroom.
