Keen2learn has just added two great new Numenko educational games for maths to their range. Children are still reluctant to learn maths but these fun games which can be played in school and at home by two – six players follows keen2learn message about “learning in disguise”.  Playing a game is so much more fun than doing exercises or reading a text book. And you learn whilst you play using the rules of the games.

A sound foundation in numeracy is essential to allow children to progress in maths and if this learning can be made to be fun the desire to learn can be accelerated through practice.

The UK is still failing in maths. Although the recent round of improved GCSE results were an improvement on last year there is a hidden concern. Maths, science and engineering are in decline replaced by a trend for children to take easier subjects in order to gain a better score and exam points. Our heritage is at stake, as our inventiveness will decline without a sound grounding in maths and more children than ever are dropping maths after they are 16 years old.

Many children find maths difficult because they can’t see the fun that can be had by playing maths games. Numenko is a board game using wooden tile to form maths answers in a crossword fashion similar to Scrabble. Addition, subtraction, division and multiplication form the answers on the board with the score being the answer to the statement. 6 x 2 =12 gives the player a score of twelve. The simplicity of the game makes it possible to for children of different ages to play. A second version of the game –Numenko in a Bag does away with the board to let children play anywhere – the winner is the first to use all their tiles.

Seeing how easy maths can become through playing Numenko will help children to break down any fear about maths which helps to build their confidence and develop a deep seated interest in numeracy.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Children get an exciting opportunity to learn from a new education game developed to inspire children to work with electronic circuits that could lead to a great new invention. Designed to work alongside the national curriculum Invention Stimulator does exactly what it says on the tin.  Teachers love the hands on practical approach and have seen some brilliant projects in ICT, PSHE, science and D&T emerging from children in key stages 1 to 4; 7 to 16 years old.

Invention Stimulator is a practical educational game that uses CD software to allow children to drag and drop components to design electronic circuits. The  World Bank award winning Their program is downloaded to the micro control unit provided that is then integrated with the various electronic circuits and actuators. A range of sensors, relays, motors is provided with the game which can be extended by adding additional items sold individually.

The components and control unit are completely reusable allowing the kit to used in multiple designs. The aim is to teach children about electrical circuits and the range of possibilities that this entails. Working with national curriculum it allows teachers to use the equipment as a primary and secondary teaching resource covering science,  ICT, PSHE and design and technology lessons. The comprehensive lesson plans and worksheets are just the start. The number of project possibilities range into the 1000’s limited only by the children’s imagination.

Already there have been a few patents registered such as a soap dish dispenser that squirts soap when you put your hands underneath it, and a pet food bowl that ahs a opening a closing lid which opens when the pet approaches it and closes as it moves away. The best recommendation comes from the teachers using Invention Stimulator who have seen their classes engrossed for the duration of the lesson. And with seven levels of projects the versatility of this highly practical teaching resource is enormous.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Scything 30-31 July 2011

Fruit Tree Grafting 13 August 2011

Eco Open Houses 8-11 September 2011

Apple Day at Stanmer Park 25 September 2011

Building with Rammed Earth and Chalk 15-16 October 2011

Introduction to Photovoltaics 18 October 2011

Self-building an Earthship 21-23 October 2011

Green Roofs 29-30 October 2011

Eco Renovate your Home 2 November 2011 & 3 November 2011

Introduction to Permaculture 19-20 November 2011 (tbc)

Pruning Old Fruit Trees 14-15 and 17-18 January 2012

Practical Permaculture Gardening 31 March-1 April 2012

Mushroom Cultivation 5-6 May 2012

Forest gardening 30 June-1 July 2012

Full details and bookings: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Using magnetic text blocks and diagrams children are able to place the image of a damaged organ onto the correct location on the body. In addition to learning the ill effects from smoking and alcohol they can also learn of the beneficial effects from correct nutrition. The Eatwell version of these educational games shows the health paybacks gained form eating a balanced diet.

My BodyBoard series of health and nutrition teaching aids

The “bodyboards” were developed by an ex teacher who used his experience in class linked with the graphics skill of his wife to launch these great new learning games. Allowing children to see the adverse effects on the organs of the body and place the images correctly on the body is a significant ways of getting the point across. Keen2learn will adding extensions to this exciting range as they become available.

The boards can be easily displayed on a an easel or flip chart easel and stored with the magnetic images in place in an optional storage bag.

My BodyBoard Nutrition Eatwell Plate Magnetic Packs

My BodyBoard Dangers of Alcohol Magnetic Pack

My BodyBoard Dangers of Smoking Magnetic Pack

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

What does the future world we desire require of us now?

At this time of great challenge, we need to ask how we created the world we currently inhabit and how we can develop the skills and understanding to act wisely, and in harmony with the needs of the Earth and wider society.

Internationally renowned teacher and mentor Jeddah Mali combines experiential wisdom with the latest scientific discoveries to throw new light on the role of harmony, coherence and empathy in human life and suggests positive new directions in the eternal search for peace on Earth.

Using a combination of presentations, discussion, written exercises and closed eye analysis (analytical meditation), this essential course offers participants the opportunity to spend deep time with Jeddah, in the tranquillity of the Devon countryside, to learn how to discover solutions to the many questions that existence asks of us.

• How do you find answers to the many questions you have?
• Discover how science and spirituality combine to offer new directions in our search for peace.
• Find out how through expanded awareness, we as individuals can make a significant difference.

For more details:

http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/what-makes-our-world-work

Email: admin@schumachercollege.org.uk

Call: +44 (0)1803 865934

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Education for sustainability in the 21st century

Contemporary debates on sustainability increasingly recognise the importance of education, suggesting that greater participatory involvement of stakeholders in discourses leads to greater empowerment and increases knowledge generation for key groups within education economics, environmentalism and social activism.

There is an urgent and unprecedented task in enabling learning around the many complex issues involved in sustainability.

Making inroads into these complex issues without support can be a daunting task, consequently finding a suitable course to establish a good theoretical and practical understanding of the issues is vital for any educators who wish to incorporate sustainability into their teaching and practice.

A centre of learning for sustainability

Now celebrating 20 years, internationally renowned Schumacher College continues to host its highly successful Ecoliteracy course, which provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the key concepts within sustainability including systems theory, complexity theory, economics and ecological design. The course empowers participants to view all aspects of their work and private lives from a sustainability perspective, and to understand how those ideas can be applied to their actions at work, at home and in the community at large.

“I can think of no more important mission than helping students acquire the knowledge, skills, and values to participate effectively in creating sustainable communities.” (Fritjof Capra)

Course facilitator Emily Ryan notes that the course gives a broad sweep of key subjects, allowing participants to discover and focus their own interests.

Learning as a community

Teaching on the course is very much about community learning. Participants, teachers and staff work together to combine and learn from their diverse experiences and knowledge, in this way individual and group learning provides a powerful platform for deep and holistic engagement with transformative learning for sustainability.

“Professionally, the teachings inspired me to find ways of incorporating experiences of nature and the wild into my work with youth and small enterprises.” (Jess Schulschenk – Programme Coordinator, Sustainability Institute, South Africa)

Experiential learning

Throughout the course Emily Ryan leads the group through a dynamic process where practical work, contemplation and the development of community are all important parts of the learning experience. As a facilitator specialising in the design of unique learning environments in the fields of transformational education and sustainability Emily notes that one of the course’s key strengths is that participants gain access to a variety of Schumacher’s on-site projects and the associated experts who run them. This helps to render abstract concepts more meaningful and engaging.

Inspiration and transformation at the heart of learning

Caroline Harlow, a Brain Injury Case Manager from Exeter, attended the course last year and found the teaching and content of the course inspirational: ‘Emily was the most charismatic, funny and inspirational facilitator, and has a great sense of ‘joie de vivre’. Like many past participants Caroline says that the course has led to a change in the way that she lives her life. ‘I used to be tied up with wealth and growth, but through Schumacher I have changed the way I interact with myself, the people around me and the planet I live on.’

An international panel of experts

A unique strength of this course is in the calibre of the course teachers who have the knowledge and experience to answer difficult questions and guide course participants to answers that invariably lead to exciting and transformative practices.

What is systems theory and how does it apply to my life/work?
Dr Fritjof Capra, physicist, systems thinker and founding director of the Centre for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, has lectured extensively on the importance of sustainability education and provides insights into the theoretical underpinnings of systems thinking.

How does changing the way I interact with the wider environment make a difference?
Dr. Stephan Harding, ecologist and author, has worked alongside many of the world’s leading experts on ecological thought and action, including Jonathon Porritt, Brian Goodwin and James Lovelock. His contribution to the course focuses on the importance of understanding the ecological mechanisms which surround all our futures.

How does creativity and innovation, which is so integral to education, feature in sustainability?
Anne Miller is an authority on creativity and innovation, having spent 20 years developing and inventing innovative products for the world’s leading companies. In 2000 she founded The Creativity Partnership, providing consulting and training for some of the world’s most successful organisations. She is also author of ‘How to get your ideas adopted (and change the world)’.

It seems like such a complex issue, how can we achieve a sustainable future?
Satish Kumar, world renowned environmental campaigner, co-founder of Schumacher College and editor of Resurgence magazine, ensures participants also take away with them a greater sense of the importance that hope and inspiration play in developing new and innovative work/life practices.

‘Schumacher always gives that wonderful feeling of hope and I think that’s so refreshing.’ (Caroline Harlow, Brain Injury Case Manager, Exeter)

Course details

The popular two-week course runs from March 28 – April 8, 2011 and provides participants with all teaching, accommodation, meals, and field trips. For those new to the college this course is also an exciting and valuable introduction to the central themes of Schumacher College and to its other courses in areas such as new economics, business, design and science.

The course fees are: one week £750, two weeks £1,450. A limited number of bursaries are available. Details of the course can be found at www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/ecoliteracy-first-principles-for-radical-change or contact +44 (0)1803 865 934 to make a booking.

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Here at Schumacher College we are developing a new Programme of vocational courses in the following two areas:

• Ecological Horticulture and Agroforestry
• Ecological Design and Construction

If you are interested in pursuing hands on accredited training in either of these areas then we would love to hear from you.

It takes just a short time to complete and any information we receive is invaluable in helping us develop this exciting new area of work:

http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/167103/dee6757385/0

http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/167103/3981f77a6c/0 

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Teaching resources in our school science class can explain how fossil fuels are produced during  biology, geography and physics lessons. This abundant natural production facility has just one flaw. It cannot keep up with demand. Thus we won’t run out totally but there’s a catch. There will be a slight delay of several million years whilst the next batch of oil is produced.

Whether you agree with the greenhouse effect;  pollution from fossil fuel emissions, political unrest or corruption from third world suppliers, the effect of oil on our lives is colossal. But there is a key feature which should accelerate the swing to renewable energy education. The cost of oil will rise. How much  depends on many factors, dwindling accessible stocks, currency exchange rates, inflation, profitability of oil suppliers, political unrest,  supply route interruptions, cross border transport – all have their two penny worth in the end user price. And and lets leave taxes out on this one because as oil disappears governments would find an alternative source of tax income.

The International Energy Agency’s  World Energy Outlook Report said in 2008 that estimates of remaining proven reserves of oil and natural gas lie between 1.2 to 1.3 trillion barrels, enough to last 40 years at the current consumption rates. Half a lifetime away maybe but  a desperately short period to complete a universal switch over to other energy sources in time. A couple of changes in government, natural human complacency and reluctance to change, and 15 years could easily slip by.  Then with only 25 years left panic measures could set in. Protectionism, hoarding and price hikes that would even outshine banker’s bonuses would emerge. Significant investment is required in university research programmes to assess viable alternatives.

Children in school need to understand the implications  to motivate a progressive swing into science and technology. It will inevitably be up to them to develop the future generations of efficient renewable energy technology. But research should not stop at producing green energy but equally how we use it. Sustainability is equally crucial. Recycling, reuse and upgradability need consideration. We should not be dumping PC and laptops to gain greater performance but be able to pay for component upgrade exchange. Maybe we should be forced to keep electronic goods for 10 years before being able to replace them  or pay a thumping great levy.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Launched five years ago the keen2learn online website offering learning resources and educational games and toys continues to grow. Originally aimed at teachers in early years learning in nurseries and primary school, the range has been extended to include secondary schools up to GCSE. Equally important, the site has become a firm favourite for discerning parents wanting access to the educational games used in school to allow them to give greater support in homework and exam revision to their children at home.
 
Recognising the interest in learning resources for use at home, Keen2learn have expanded the selection of educational games and toys. Alistair Owens MD at keen2learn explained. “Many manufactures promote their products as “educational” to improve the attraction to parents. But this can be far from the truth. The discerning voice of the teacher is the ideal judge. If the product is used in school it has been thoroughly proven. Parents using the same product at home can then reinforce the lesson and provide a huge potential boost to their child’s achievement back in class.”
 
Educational games covering early years learning have been extended. Counter Challenge is an example of a new online maths game. Interestingly many of the new products are now sourced from Germany, renown for decades for quality in toy design and manufacture. Alistair Owens explained “Many toys made in the Far East pose huge logistical problems. Delivery times are lengthy at 12 – 16 weeks whereas supply from Germany takes just 2 weeks. The quality and educational function is also far superior, but is it an indictment on our resources that products made the UK are very much in the minority”
 
To buy securely online using credit, debit card or PayPal – the range can be found at http://www.keen2learn.co.uk

Keen2learn, the well known on-line shop for educational games and teaching resources has expanded its popular range of educational toys. “Education has to be fun to compete for a child’s time” said Alistair Owens managing director at www.keen2learn.co.uk.

Although the market is awash with so called ‘educational toys’ Owens claims many have dubious educational value. “The term has been misapplied by marketing operations wanting to make their products sound more appealing to  parents” he added.

The keen2learn team spent some time scouring the market to find a product range that provides practical interest, fun and learning. They found the ideal in the Kiditec construction range. “These toys have real educational merit and meet the keen2learn mission of ‘learning in disguise’ said Owens. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, quality is a key feature and the range is set to sell well to discerning parents in the UK.  The constructor kits are extremely sturdy and the large components make it easy for small children to assembly.  The parts interconnect to form a variety of different animals, cars, aeroplanes and cranes depending on which kit is used. The robust design allows children to play safely and even ride on certain finished toys. Although full assembly instructions are provided and Mum and Dad can help, most children quickly learn how the models are assembled and make  them into another animal, their imagination is all that is required. The parts are all interchangeable between  the other kits, making the range a huge source of practical enjoyment.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more