NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
Vance Beblow from Microsoft Canada shows teachers an augmented reality cube that brings the solar system and other science lessons to life as part of the TELUS Spark SHIFT Lab partnership with Medicine Hat Public School Division.
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Medicine Hat Public School Division educators are exploring the future of education Thursday and Friday.
The TELUS Spark SHIFT Lab gave public school teachers the ability to learn about the potential of technology as an educational tool.
There were stations set up at the MHPSD building Thursday afternoon, each with a recent technological development to assist teachers in the classroom, such as an augmented reality tool that brings the solar system and human anatomy to life, a small coding device that can be plugged into a computer and programmed, and a tiny robot with toothbrushes as feet.
MHPSD assistant superintendent Joanne Pitman says this occasion marks the first time TELUS has brought its tech workshops outside the Alberta headquarters in Calgary.
“This afternoon is intended to all be about testing out, playing (and) being exposed to elements that they may not have used in their classrooms before,” explained Pitman.
Friday is more focused on the practical application of what the teachers explored Thursday.
The purpose is for educators to “think carefully about their current students, the curriculum, the skills they’re learning to develop and how they can push the envelope, utilizing some of these tools and creating that space over time, so that our students become increasingly aware of new opportunities, as opposed to some of their traditional learning styles.”
Although technology has its drawbacks, MHPSD is looking at applying it where it can serve a valid educational function.
“In some cases, using technology can be a distraction. We want to look at where it’s used with purpose to engage, empower and make sure everyone has access to the thinking they need,” Pitman said.
Greg Stein, TELUS’s manager of professional learning, says the workshop deals with the “balcony” and “dancefloor” aspects of teaching.
“This program is not only participating in the activities and getting hands-on with the tools, but we go up to the balcony and talk about why we did what we just did,” said Stein.
In other words, the dancefloor is the hands-on learning and the balcony is the more theoretical aspect.
One example of cutting edge educational technology was demonstrated by Vance Beblow, Microsoft’s Alberta learning specialist.
It’s a cube that when scanned by a camera through an app provides an interactive, three-dimensional learning experience.
“In an educational setting with, say, Grade 6s, they can look at the solar system and metaphorically hold it in their hand and rotate it around,” said Beblow.
“It enables two of the five senses – students are holding it in their hands, so you get the tactile, and then you also get the visual. It’s better than reading something out of a textbook.”
