We’re excited to introduce our EdTech community to another Eduporium Featured Educator! This month, we’ve heard from Jeremy Osborne, the Innovative Learning Coordinator for the Berkeley County School District in South Carolina. With a background as an elementary STEM teacher, Jeremy knows all about the kinds of hands-on learning experiences kids want and need. He's also now very much involved in ensuring all students have access to those.
Jeremy Osborne
Innovative Learning Coordinator, Berkeley County School District, Moncks Corner, SC
Q&A:
Please share any innovative EdTech project(s) you've completed with your students or plan to complete solo or with other educators.
One of my favorite projects has been the creation of interactive models using Makey Makey's and Scratch. We research, write scripts, record audio, build models, code with Scratch blocks, and then put it all together. So far, we have used this technique to create a model of the Solar System and Water Cycle. Other projects include comparing fractions using Dash robots, coding Ozobots to demonstrate rotation vs revolution and building Trebuchet's to practice measurement. We've also done a few different robotics activities, including VEX and LEGO.
What is a challenge you faced or are facing with your EdTech use? What resources did you use or are in need of?
The biggest problem is the lack of resources. Many teachers are trying to incorporate new technology into their instruction. When using the technology, we have run into problems with not having enough materials for all the students to participate. In this time of remote learning, providing activities and resources for students at home has been a challenge as well. It would be amazing to provide kits for students to use at home when creating innovative projects.
What are some of the real-world skills you've seen your students develop through regular EdTech use?
The best part of encouraging innovation is seeing the critical thinking and creative skills the students develop over time. We have created a classroom in which choice tasks are a thing of the past and we’ve renamed them innovative tasks. Students are encouraged to think like innovators, step out of their comfort zones, and develop new ways to show understanding.
As a 21st century educator, what interests you most about Eduporium?
The most interesting thing about Eduporium to me is how their team gives educators a way to discuss STEM options and how to use them in the classroom. We can buy all the supplies and materials in the world, but, without the expert advice of educators, it often sits under-utilized. I have found that Eduporium is not only a top site for finding the resources we need, but the advice that comes along with it from their team is priceless.
We thank Jeremy for sharing his thoughts with us and for helping to create effective STEAM learning experiences! We know his efforts will continue to inspire other educators to try some new things as well! Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates on the great things educators are doing with EdTech. Also, if you’d like to apply to be highlighted on our blog and social media channels as an Eduporium Featured Educator, we’d love to have you fill out the application!