This week we visited the SD #5 Design Lab in the District Resource Centre located at Kootenay Orchard Elementary School. It is amazing to experience the technology that is available to the students in District 5. There is another lab within SD #5, similar to that one we visited today , located in Fernie. Labs are changing the way in which, us as future teachers, will teach our students of tomorrow. Mr. McKenzie will visit classes or have classes come to the lab to create and work on projects that fit their classroom learning. It is really overwhelming to describe the types of projects that are available to the students. The link between traditional teaching and new innovation of allowing students opportunities to solve problems and improve their learning in new ways are combined to enhance students learning.

The Design Lab is a small classroom style room that is located in the basement of Kootenay Orchard School off of the District Resource Centre. Located in the lab is several tables with stools, computer screens on the walls, a 3d printer, and a laser printer. What I liked best about the tables were that they are moveable and can also serve as whiteboards.

Some technologies that we looked at today were Lego Spike (robots), Cardboard creators, Ozobots, Pixicade (game Creator), met Moxie the social emotional robot, VR headsets, looked at the 3D printer, watch the the laser printer, and green screen recordings. The list goes on and on and I know I am missing so many of the options available for students to explore.

Here you can see an example of inside the Lego Spike kit and what the pieces look like

During our time to explore, I checked out Lego Education Spike, an interactive WWF game, Ozobots, Pixicade and had a conversation with Moxie. I really enjoyed the Lego as I have used something similar during my time as an EA at MBSS in their Robotics class. The sets I have used in the past were mostly black, grey and red and lacked colour. I like that these new kits as they offer lots of colour and are more user friendly for younger students.

Here is an example of a couple Robots that have been completed by KDS students
WWF Interactive Game

I next explored an interactive game on a iPad that looked at the water and the importance balance between farmer, water use etc. It was educational and I move the iPad around to interact with the game.

Ozobots

I found the little Ozobots fun to explore and found drawing different paths for them to follow using different colours was fund to watch as the Ozobots would change colour when they reached a new colour on its path.

My Game that I created and then it loaded into the app

I also had fun exploring Pixicade, a game creator. Using different colour markers I created a game board and then uploaded my game board game with an app on on iPad. This was a fund activity I could see students really enjoying. My avatar ran into a wall because I created a wall in the wrong place and he had nowhere to go.

Finally, I enjoyed having a conversation with Moxie, the Social Emotional Robot. My conversation was brief but I enjoyed the soft speaking and compassion behind the conversation on Moxies part. Here I have included an promotional video for Moxie. I see now why my daughter has spoken so highly of Moxie for the past couple of years.

I can envision using some of the technology that we explored today by enhancing my classroom teaching. I can see how these technologies could help students explore subjects such as math or science more deeply. If I were to take my students to the lab tomorrow I would start with Pixicade and create games or Lego Education and create Robots. I can see using the 3D printer and laser printer to create ornaments in the future. The Design Lab is a great resource that is available to the students and teachers of Sd #5. We learned today that it is a very busy place and that if you wish to bring your class you much plan 8 – 12 weeks in advance.