Croydon schools, take on a free EdTech challenge!
Techembrace specialises in technology solutions for the business and education sectors. As its director, I'd like to highlight some educational opportunities available for pupils and teachers to get to grips with tech.
Modern technology has become an essential part of every aspect of our lives, including education. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts some schools can be left behind when it comes to tech, but with the help of free challenges, training and resources, squeezed schools can provide engaging lessons for students without spending loads on gadgets.
Challenges
I’ll start off with some national challenges in the tech field. Croydon has somewhere in the region of 115 Primary schools, 48 secondary schools and 40 colleges. We must have a winner in there somewhere!
These are creative tech courses for you to deliver in your classroom, with the added option of entering projects to the scheme’s yearly awards. There are courses across three technologies: app development, internet of things and machine learning.
The Digital Creators’ Challenge
Vodafone is connecting schools with their local communities and the careers of tomorrow through this new competition, in which students use their creativity, teamwork and digital skills to come up with an app that will improve the lives in their local community.
Every team that enters has the chance of winning up to £6,000 to spend on IT equipment and an exclusive winners’ experience day at Vodafone HQ. The challenge closes on Friday 24 January 2020.
Ultimate STEM Challenge 2020: Wearable Tech
This year’s STEM Challenge will introduce students to the concept of wearable tech, bring STEM learning to life and nurture transferable skills including presenting, problem-solving, creativity, leadership and teamwork. There are also some amazing prizes to win. The closing date is 14 January 2020.
The TeenTech Awards are for UK students aged 11 to 19, working in teams to look at problems large and small to see if they can find a better way of doing things. There are 20 different categories to pique your students’ interest, from environment to fashion!
Classroom display challenges: primary and secondary
This one’s for teachers. Share your classroom displays and, by doing so, inspire others and hopefully save them some time.
Training opportunities
Many big tech firms offer free teacher training, which is worth using if you have any of their products or tools.
A free professional learning programme that supports educators using Apple products for teaching and learning.
A free learning platform and community, designed by educators to ignite creativity in the classroom using Adobe software.
Google’s free training and certification to develop your knowledge of their online tools.
This certification takes teachers step-by-step through how to apply technology inventively in the classroom.