EDUCATION INNOVATIONS
contribute to these and can use the data gathered in their own studies. Both GlobalLab and students can make suggestions for projects. Groups can then collaborate to work on the project and gain a truly global perspective on an issue, topic or problem. “We built GlobalLab as a new type of educational tool that utilises crowd sourcing to foster the skills of problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration” – Tatsiana Krupa, president, GlobalLab
COUNTRY: BELGIUM 6 SCIENTIX
What is it? Scientix gives teachers an easy-to-use online portal, which has inputs from experts in specific subjects, so they can teach their students the most up-to-date ideas and work in their chosen field. It can be difficult to share best practices and new information about STEM education in an easy way. By showing students how the subjects they are studying can be applied in real life and the usefulness of what they are learning, it increases students’ personal motivation and engagement in class. Access to real-world examples and science activities can help to achieve this. “Thanks to our supporters, Scientix is now able to provide a platform to get the knowledge flowing: to ensure that no project works alone, that no STEM centre or organisation has to start from scratch, that no teacher faces unaided the hard but most needed task of getting kids to know, like and dream about science” – Dr Àgueda GrasVelázquez, project manager of Scientix, science programme manager at European Schoolnet
SPACE DESIGN LABS COUNTRY: DENMARK 7 LEARNING
What is it? Autens, a leading Danish education consultancy, runs Learning Space Design Labs for educators. In these workshops, all staff come together to co-create a new learning environment on the basis of a shared vision for learning. Staff have the freedom to think, play and create together
provides useful data for schools and districts on children’s general reading and writing ability. This method ensures that every child can have access to screening, so that fewer children go undiagnosed. The Lexplore team is able to quickly screen large groups of children, by taking them out of class for only five minutes each to read short texts. Upon receiving the results, the school is then empowered to make decisions about getting a full diagnosis and early support for at risk children. “We got a fast and objective result with Lexplore that the special education teachers and classroom teachers could work with and analyze. This made it possible to do the right interventions” – Kent Ylvesson, school development leader, Ånge Muncipality, Sweden
so that the outcome is as innovative, insightful, shared and inspirational as possible. The design process is hands-on, project-based learning in action, with an authentic, real-world problem that demands a solution. One innovative teacher might improve their classroom layout and culture, but this is unlikely to have a long-term impact on the learning culture of the school. For lasting impact and meaningful change, the whole school community needs to play an active role in changing the culture and design of learning spaces. “We are not designing learning environments, we are designing a learning culture” – Lene Jensby Lange, founder, Learning Space Design Lab
COUNTRY: FINLAND 8 SEPPO
What is it? Seppo is an authoring tool for creating educational games. It is an easy-to-use tool for teachers, that makes lessons inspiring and motivating for students. Students solve problems in teams using mobile devices and teachers give feedback in real-time. Creating, maintaining and enhancing learning motivation in schools has become a growing challenge because the world around us offers more and more exciting and motivating stimuli for kids. Schools have to keep up and make education exciting and relate it to the students’ lives. There is a great need for ways to make learning fun in a pedagogically meaningful way. “It was easy to get into Seppo. The students were exploding with the joy of learning and experimenting and demanded more. The kids had excellent performances, moved around and were fully in” – teacher using Seppo
COUNTRY: SWEDEN 9 LEXPLORE
What is it? Lexplore is a screening tool that makes it possible to identify children with reading and writing difficulties early on, using cloud analytics, artificial intelligence and eye tracking technology to help screen for the likelihood of dyslexia or related learning difficulties. This means that schools can intervene quickly and children no longer need to fall behind. The method also
DEFY COUNTRY: INDIA 10 PROJECT
What is it? Project DEFY (Design Education for Yourself) is a system of learning that believes anyone can teach themselves anything by using the internet and the community around to find solutions. The mission is to change the way people think and ignite individual passions so students can believe in their abilities to educate themselves, others and their communities. With a device at hand, the community customises a makerspace that fits their own requirements, and develops its own learning space, called a Nook. Projects can be anything – artistic, technical, or other – to fit each student’s own learning interests and experience. “We do not want education to be merely a transfer of instruction. Education is a much more interesting process of self-discovery and understanding of local and global surroundings” – Abhijit Sinha, founder and director of Project DEFY. For information about these products and others, please visit hundred.org.
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ICT & PROCUREMENT 31