Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


LEGO Ed Launches Free PD for Teachers

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/16/21

LEGO Education, the education arm of the toy company, has launched free professional development, to help teachers learn how to embed play and hands-on learning into their STEAM lessons. The company worked with the Tufts University Center for Engineering Education Outreach, which supports the integration of engineering into K-12 education, to develop the content. The two organizations have collaborated on a number of projects in the past, including workshops about LEGO engineering for educators.

The PD will consist of a self-guided, competency-based learning program designed on a framework covering four areas: pedagogy, STEAM concepts, 21st century skills and classroom management. Learning takes two directions: "learning bursts" for quick and focused skills practice; and "learning quests" for deeper competency development. There is no particular order teachers have to follow.

Contents include videos of actual classrooms and teacher interviews to show the various competencies in a variety of learning environments--in-person, physically distanced and virtual. Teachers should note that the competencies may not qualify for PD credits since LEGO Ed isn't an accredited institution.

One education who has used the PD is Jennifer Rodabaugh, a STEAM lab teacher at Picadome Elementary School in Lexington, KY. "I can brush up on teaching techniques or coding during my lunch break or even from the comfort of my couch," she said in a press release. "The engaging and relevant courses not only develop teaching skills but also build confidence using real-world classroom examples and best practices."

"We are excited to offer a new platform to support teachers' professional development and equip them with strategies and skills to make STEAM learning playful," added Esben Stærk, president of LEGO Education. "When teachers are truly confident in playful hands-on learning, they deliver more motivating, engaging and joyful learning experiences. Combine confident teachers and students and the classroom becomes a place of endless possibilities limited only by their imagination and creativity."

Learn more on the LEGO Education website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • abstract smartphone translucent screen displaying AI interface

    Apple Unveils Redesigned Siri AI

    At its recent Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced Siri AI, a redesigned version of its voice assistant that Apple describes in its own announcement as "a profoundly more capable and personal assistant." The update is intended to make Siri more conversational, more context-aware, and more useful across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.

  • AI artificial intelligence interface over laptop keyboard

    Microsoft Drafts AI Code of Conduct, Emphasizes Human Control

    Microsoft has published a draft code of conduct that lays out how its homegrown AI models should behave, with human control taking priority over model capability, autonomy, and even task completion.

  • Blurred silhouettes of business people in a modern office with a glowing blue network overlay

    Open Secure AI Alliance Moving Under Linux Foundation

    Governance of the Open Secure AI Alliance has moved to the Linux Foundation, giving the initiative what the organizations describe as a neutral home for developing open source tools, shared standards and defensive practices. The Alliance was launched by NVIDIA in July to develop open security technologies for AI systems and agents.

  • Neon email icon hangs from chain with fishing hook below.

    Report Emphasizes Importance of Building a Security Culture

    While security teams have invested heavily in e-mail protection, endpoint security, and identity controls, new research from Fortra suggests one challenge remains difficult to solve: users.