This paper examines how the learning environment in primary education can be enhanced by stimulating the use of innovative ICT applications. In particular, this discussion focuses on mind tools as a means of leveraging ICT for the development of cognitive skills. The stimulating effect of mind tools on the thinking skills and thinking attitudes of students is examined. The various types of mind tools and a number of specific examples are closely examined. We consider how mind tools can contribute to the establishment of an ICT-rich learning environment within the domain of technology education in primary schools. We illustrate two specific applications of such mind tools and discuss how these contribute to the development of thinking skills.
BackgroundThe relative number of children meeting the minimal required dose of daily physical activity remains execrably low. It has been estimated that in 2015 one out of five children will be overweight. Therefore, low levels of physical activity during early childhood may compromise the current and future health and well-being of the population, and promoting physical activity in younger children is a major public health priority. This study is to gain insight into effects of a Physical Education based playground program on the PA levels during recess in primary school children aged 6-12.Methods/designThe effectiveness of the intervention program will be evaluated using a prospective controlled trial design in which schools will be matched, with a follow-up of one school year. The research population will consist of 6-12 year old primary school children. The intervention program will be aimed at improving physical activity levels and will consist of a multi-component alteration of the schools' playground. In addition, playground usage will be increased through altered time management of recess times, as well as a modification of the Physical Education content.DiscussionThe effects of the intervention on physical activity levels during recess (primary outcome measure), overall daily physical activity and changes in physical fitness (secondary outcome measures) will be assessed. Results of this study could possibly lead to changes in the current playground system of primary schools and provide structured health promotion for future public health.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2386
Computational thinking is taking an ever increasing role in education. According to the Netherlands institute for curriculum development there currently is little to no education on this topic in Dutch primary schools. Since teachers are the key to high quality education, it is important to know which knowledge primary school teachers should have on this topic. This exploratory research is part of a larger design-based study on how 5-6 year old students can develop CT skills at a basic level and what teachers in primary education need to know about computational thinking to teach it. This poster describes the educational design research consisting of a total of three rounds and the results after the first two rounds.
Ouderbetrokkenheid, samenwerking tussen ouders en school, basisonderwijs, parental involvement, cooperation, primary schoolsOuderbetrokkenheid staat hoog op de agenda van de basisscholen, omdat het van cruciaal belang is voor school- en studiesucces en de persoonlijke ontwikkeling van kinderen.Bij ouderbetrokkenheid in het onderwijs gaat het er om dat leerkrachten en ouders (h)erkennen dat zij een gemeenschappelijk belang hebben: dat hun kind zich gezien zijn mogelijkheden en talenten optimaal ontwikkelt op school en thuis. De verantwoordelijkheid voor het creëren en stimuleren van een vruchtbare samenwerking ligt in eerste instantie bij de leerkrachten. Maar leerkrachten vinden het vaak moeilijk hoe zij daadwerkelijk met ouders moeten samenwerken en hoe zij adequaat kunnen inspelen op de verschillende ouders. Vnaf januari 2015 zal er twee jaar lang op drie basisscholen in het Noorden gewerkt worden aan ouderbetrokkenheid. Het project zal worden gefinancierd door SIA RAAK. Het doel van het project is om kennis te verzamelen in de praktijk over de competenties die nodig zijn om met ouders samen te kunnen werken.
Bullying at school is an emotionally charged topic that significantly tests the relationship between parents and teachers. It is a sensitive issue as it directly relates to the child's upbringing at home. Furthermore, parents and teachers have differing perspectives on the child, and the strategies they adopt to curb bullying are based on different perspectives and spheres of influence. In recent years, a variety of measures have been implemented in order to combat bullying at primary schools. Many different anti-bullying programmes have been developed for schools and a wide range of methods, training courses and tools are available to help teachers work together with parents in order to optimise their child's educational development. However, all of these anti-bullying methods lack concrete advice and tools to help teachers work together with parents whose children are personally involved in an incidence of bullying, despite experts across the board agreeing that cooperation between parents and teachers is of vital importance.The goal of this project is to develop an effective strategy to facilitate cooperation between parents and teachers that can be employed in the event of bullying as a supplement to existing anti-bullying programmes. This consortium's ambition is to boost the social safety of children in primary education by applying expertise in the field of bullying and parental involvement, and by combining past experiences.
