Elementary school 'Het Avontuur': 'Technology is woven into our education'
Elementary school 'Het Avontuur' in Heemskerk is literally a Techport school from the very beginning. Since 2018, they have experienced a tremendous development in providing technical education. Their motto 'Learning by daring & doing' is already reflected in their lessons, but especially in the specially equipped technology classroom. This room is the regular place of the 'handyman's class of group 7/8' and where all students of group 6 get to work with subjects from the learning line technique: such as vibrations, balance and the electrical circuit. In addition, these students are introduced to different tools.
All pupils can handle tools
Principal Miedema: "Students coming out of our school can all handle tools. They know the difference between a screwdriver and an Allen key. And also how to use them. We teach children that technology is a means and not an end in itself. That is why all groups 5 through 8 also use the technology room during thematic work.
Not only learning to count and measure
Teacher Judy van Mourik adds, "Technology really helps achieve certain learning goals. All the assignments I give to the handyman class are always linked to language, math and general skills. Children not only learn to measure and calculate here, but equally they learn to work together and deal with setbacks. Because what do you do if something doesn't work right away? Do you give up or do you just try again, maybe in a different way? Sometimes children run up against their own perfectionism. What we want to teach them here is that 'can't' does not simply exist. We emphasize how something can be done. Meanwhile we work unnoticed on vocabulary or other language goals: for example, a student gets the assignment to give the explanation I gave to a fellow student. In this way, summarizing is practiced. We see that the children's self-confidence is growing. An often heard remark is: "Teacher, I didn't know I could do this!".
Tips for other schools
Do Miedema and Van Mourik have any tips for other elementary school that want to get started (more) with technology? Miedema: 'Structural solutions are unfortunately not always available when it comes to technology education, but don't let that stop you. We are fortunate to have been able to recruit an extra teacher with NPO funds. Those are National Program Education funds to address corona delays. And the teacher does not necessarily have to have a technical background. Van Mourik: "As a teacher, it is nice if you are a bit handy and creative, but what is especially important is that you enjoy teaching children in a different way. And above all, don't be afraid that you don't know something yourself. Just try; what applies to pupils also applies to teachers: learning by daring and doing!'
