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Summary of Review
Summary of Review
From the team's perspective, our review of the two lessons showcased their effectiveness in engaging students across different grade levels and subjects.
The Industrial Designer lesson, tailored for grades 6-8 STEM classes, offered a compelling project-based approach with clear connections to real-world career opportunities.
Similarly, the Mechanical Engineering lesson for grades K-2 provided an engaging exploration of Smart Products, reinforcing practical applications early on in students' education.
As a team, we enthusiastically recommend both resources to fellow educators, as well as the overall Defined Learning platform, recognizing their potential to inspire students and bridge the gap between classroom learning and future endeavors.
What made you choose this resource?
What made you choose this resource?
What aspect(s) of this resource did you pilot?
What aspect(s) of this resource did you pilot?
As a team, our decision to choose Defined Learning stemmed from a thorough assessment of various resources. We were impressed by its extensive range of options catering to both teachers and students, providing ample flexibility in teaching and learning approaches.
The platform's emphasis on establishing tangible real-world connections resonated with us, aligning closely with our educational philosophy. We value its focus on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, crucial for our students' holistic development.
Defined Learning immerses students in real-world career simulations, aiding informed choices. Through hands-on experiences in various fields, students develop critical skills and align interests with potential paths. Bridging classroom learning and industry exposure, it empowers students to make informed decisions about their future careers.
There is an emphasis on encouraging communication and collaboration among students which reflects our commitment to nurturing essential interpersonal skills.
The platform's adaptability, allowing for customized learning experiences tailored to our classroom needs, was a standout feature for us.
Additionally, the provision of detailed rubrics for each project/activity and the emphasis on linking learning to future career opportunities were key factors reinforcing our choice.
We worked with the elementary grades (K-6) using the following courses.
Industrial Designer: Skateboard Park
We used this course for grade 6 Enrichment classes. It focuses on the opportunity to understand similarities and differences among design solutions to create a new solution to meet criteria for success.
Mechanical Engineering: Inventor: Smart Products, Smart Consumers, Grades K- 2
For the 2nd grade class, this task explored the world of invention. The course offers technological design as a creative process that results in new inventions and innovations.
What went well?
What went well?
What were some challenges?
What were some challenges?
Industrial Designer: Skateboard Park
The students LOVED this lesson. It introduced the idea of safety within the skate park design which was a new thought for them. We also appreciated the research piece. The research included taking notes and drawing pictures in their notebooks.
The resource was easy to use in the sense that the students follow a slideshow which included videos, vocabulary, resources, and product choice.
Mechanical Engineering: Inventor: Smart Products, Smart Consumers
The students LOVED this lesson as well. It really got the students thinking on what they could add to the community to make it better. They started coming up with wonderful ideas and the conversations were deep.
Once students were given simple directions the lesson took on a mind of its own driven by each student group.
Overall challenges:
Dealing with the IT department can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when it comes to blocked videos. In today's tech-heavy world, videos are everywhere, helping us learn and communicate. But sometimes, these videos get blocked, causing a lot of frustration. Some of the videos in Defined Learning were blocked for students.
It's important for the IT folks and us to be on the same page in order to troubleshoot quickly to resolve issues. That way, they can see why we need certain videos and we can understand why they need to block some. By working together, we can find way to keep things safe while still being able to watch the videos we need.
Industrial Designer: Skateboard Park
Tips for Success:
Supplementing the courses was not necessary but it was helpful for student understanding of the task.
One of the requirements for making a model was to scale down the dimensions of the actual skate park elements. Incorporating Math skills, I had to teach/review scaling down using a ratio table in order for the students to be successful.
Mechanical Engineering: Inventor: Smart Products, Smart Consumers
Tips for Success:
The lesson was very well explained. Students began research using books and the internet. We did need to gather physical supplies in order to build a model, if the student chose that route.
Would you recommend this resource to others?
Would you recommend this resource to others?
Links to Artifacts
Links to Artifacts
We highly recommend Defined Learning for all classes, including the smaller gifted & talented classes or special education and STEM based classes.
We feel it is an asset for any school or program and are highly interested in using this platform in the future. We would absolutely recommend the resource to others.
The excitement and engagement it fosters among students through original and creative projects is refreshing to see. Even our students have expressed hope for continued access to Defined Learning for the remainder of the year and for years to come.
Canva Slideshow (middle school 6-8)
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