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Teaching Science and Technology with Toys

Monday 15 June 2009 9am–4pm

This course will provide practical and exciting activities to enhance your primary science teaching.

It is well documented that students' achievement levels can be increased through motivation and interest. This course encourages teachers to develop innovative strategies for utilising toys to improve science and technology outcomes in primary age children. While the course focuses on the value of learning through enjoyable tasks with familiar objects, it also stresses that teaching in the science and technology key learning area must focus on the development of conceptual understanding in combination with learning processes.

This course will include:

  1. Course introduction – Grappling with gravity: Investigating a range of different 'gravity' toys; designing and making a gravity toy and using toys to support children's learning about the concept of gravity.
  2. Pedagogy with puppets: Using puppets in teaching at Sydney Olympic Park Authority (with guest speaker); investigating a range of puppets; developing and performing a lesson sequence involving puppets.
  3. Motivators, meaning-makers and managers: Investigating a wide range of toys for lesson starters; supporting concept development and classroom management; evaluation of the effectiveness of toys used for different teaching purposes.
  4. Technology toys: Investigating toys for teaching about technology; designing and making a technology toy.
  5. Lessons with Lego: Introducing a range of Lego resources and consideration of their use in Science and Technology lessons including Lego Dacta, Lego Robotics and development of fine motor skills and fair testing using Lego cars.



Presenter
Christine Preston


Fees & Registration (GST inclusive)
Individuals $200 | Groups $185 per person (2 or more registrations from the same school)
Download a registration form (PDF)


Venue
Education Building (A35), Manning Rd, The University of Sydney, Camperdown
View an online map (Map Ref 13G) | Download a map of the University of Sydney (PDF)


Enquiries


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