Use of ICT in Learning and Teaching

Exploring Hello Ruby - a new way to learn Technology, Coding & Computers Date: 19th June 2019/Wednesday 21st June 2019/Friday  This blog post will give you an insight into an interesting way of learning algorithms in creative and artistic ways. This may sound weird but its interesting and engaging like anything. Linda Liukas who is the founder for the HundrED Innovation project Hello Rubi [1],  a children's author and illustrator, who has written 3 books about technology, coding and computers which is based on learning through play, creativity and imagination. This blog post explores Hello Rubi in detail and why there is a dire need to adopt the same approach in schools in Pakistan. So just for a moment think of the traditional and usual way of teaching technology, coding and  computational thinking in schools and classrooms. We usually begin with explaining technology terms  and concepts to kids on the white board, share examples, watch a video, read s...

Why Kids need to learn Scratch - Part 2 Date: 02/10/2018/Tuesday This blogpost is simply inspired from the work kids are doing in Scratch at Ranaa Child Welfare Foundation. The blogpost will share some of the amazing programs kids have been able to make in Scratch through coding with an insight into why kids need to learn #Scratch. Why kids like Scratch? A number of reasons.  Firstly, It has a very user friendly and ease to use interface. Kids can drag in sprites easily from library, change background, add sound from library , even draw own sprites. They can increase and decrease the size of  sprites using the grow and shrink button. Secondly   it's color coded, kids know blue colored code is for motion, purple code represents sound, brown code represents events, green represents various operators and so on. They just have to drag and drop the code in the script area. Third they have learnt how to look for step wise tutorials, learn independently about ho...

Re-thinking EdTECH in the Early Years Date:08/09/2018  Saturday This post is inspired from my recent dive into an Online course  about the  Early Learning & Pre - School Education 2.0 - Child Centered and Playful Learning in Finland offered online by ALO Finland . I am extremely thankful to my course Instructor Pirjo Sohunen for the opportunity to explore and learn from the Finnish education system. The course helped me understand the meaning of child centered and playful learning in the early years. It also highlighted the process through which the Finnish system ensures that every child gets equal opportunity to grow to their full potential. It further provided an insight about use of various strategies, tools and education technology in the early years.  I will begin by sharing how learning takes place in the early years in Finland and then move to discussing in detail the role education technology plays   in the early years. Lets start by...

Exploring the world of Reading Eggs !!! Date: 30/05/2018 - Wednesday This blog post is simply inspired from my recent dive into the Reading Eggs program by 3P Learning . It is basically a reading program aimed at improving and enhancing reading skills of kids through online interactive activities and games. I must say it has a very colorful, attractive and a very easy to use interface for kids. Its been almost two weeks or so since I have been using the free trial of the program with the kids at the SOS Children Village Peshawar . I was amazed to see their interest and engagement during the various activities. After a brief introduction kids were able to do the various activities on their own. So what are the highlights of this program and why I would strongly recommend it for kids (whether at school or home). One of the best features is the Placement test at the beginning of the program, every child is suppose to do the test based on MCQs, which assess the child's basic ...