MindsOn | Deepening science & technology education
You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Loading...

Deepening science & technology education

A digital tool is being developed, in collaboration with schools, which supports learners in primary education in understanding and explaining phenomena.

Hands On

Hands-On

Learners investigate phenomena by observing and experimenting and collecting and organizing data, using existing Science & Technology lessons.

Minds On

Minds-On

Learners articulate their observations and develop their insights by creating an interactive knowledge diagram step by step.

Ontlasten

Support

The digital tool supports teachers with science discussions in the classroom. Talking about the diagram stimulates the learner’s reasoning and understanding.

Design research investigating effective Science & Technology education

In the daily practice of primary education, the meaningful implementation of Science & Technology education is a serious challenge, especially with regard to the actual learning outcome. An important aspect of this approach is for learners to perform their own investigations or to design a product (hands-on learning). Whilst many learners successfully complete the practical tasks it can be difficult for them to make the link with the underlying science concepts and fully understand what they have been doing (minds-on learning). In the busy classroom environment it is common that insufficient time and attention is given to this important step. In collaboration with schools, Minds-On is developing a new digital tool that supports learners in understanding and explaining phenomena and help teachers to guide this process.






Assignments

Bicycle

[download]

In this lesson children learn systems thinking based on the system ‘bicycle’. They dissect the bicycle and name the different parts. They then determine the function of those parts.


Seasons

[download]

This lesson focuses on cause-effect thinking. Children learn to explain the phenomena of day and night and the origin of the seasons on the basis of the position of the earth and the movement of the earth around the sun.


Classification

[download]

This lesson is about classifying familiar objects such as animals and fixings (nail, bolt, screw, etc.). Students learn to organize the objects on the basis of one or more characteristics.


Sound

[download]

This lesson teaches children to think about cause and effect. Children learn to describe and explain the phenomenon of sound. This concerns the origin of sound and the explanation of pitch and tonal strength.






Research questions

Kenmerken

Characteristics

What are the features of the tool that stimulates learner’s reasoning?

Effectiviteit

Effectiveness

Does the tool promote reasoning skills and comprehension in learners?

Tevredenheid

Satisfaction

What do teachers think of the effectiveness and efficiency of the digital tool?

Contact

Information for primary schools.
Want to know more? Participate? Use the contact form below.

Minds-On is a SIA RAAK-PUBLIEK project.
Logo SIA

Lectoraat Didactiek van de Bètavakken
Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Wibautstraat 2-4
1091 GM Amsterdam

Lectoraat Wetenschap en technologie
Hogeschool iPabo
Jan Tooropstraat 136
1061 AD Amsterdam