According to UNESCO, inclusivity in STEM education entails considering each student’s specific needs and ensuring students’ active participation and collaboration. Inclusivity also considers each student’s individual differences, unique traits, and learning requirements.
Fortunately, teachers providing STEM education can leverage 3D learning environments to help students gain more practical experience in science labs. 3D learning environments are platforms that allow individual students to interact with teachers and other students using an avatar. Students in such learning environments can easily communicate with each other through various audio- or text-based tools.
3D learning environments can find application in STEM education when a student wants to learn a skill, especially one that may be dangerous to undertake physically.
3D learning environments enhance feelings of immersion and accelerate students’ understanding of complex STEM subjects. These learning environments can also encourage active collaboration and communication among learners in STEM education. Students in such environments can easily explore various media in groups or individually.
Following the fast-changing landscape in the field of education, practitioners teaching K–12 STEM classes constantly seek to leverage newer technologies to improve the learning process. According to HurixDigital, one such way is by using 3D labs.
3D labs benefit teachers in K–12 STEM education to a large extent, providing them with the visual aids they need to explain complicated subjects with ease. This is simply because the 3D labs offer a detailed, immersive experience that greatly enhances students’ comprehension.
3D laboratories can also introduce flexibility into the learning process, allowing students to seamlessly participate in learning activities in the classroom or from anywhere. They ensure a safe environment for students, as they can learn various concepts without the need for potentially dangerous lab experiments or exposure to toxic chemicals.
Another essential role that 3D labs play in K-12 STEM education is helping students by eliminating the compulsory need for their physical labs, which can be quite expensive. This in turn enhances students’ learning.
Technology is playing a significant role in modern classrooms. One such technology is 3D mixed reality (MR), whose incorporation into STEM learning represents a revolutionary leap in education. It offers students immersive and interactive educational experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds.
Mixed reality combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality elements to create an environment where users can see both the virtual and physical worlds. In STEM learning, 3D mixed reality allows students to visualize complex STEM concepts more clearly. For instance, students can perform virtual experiments, helping them grasp textbook concepts better. Hence, MR bridges the gap between theory and practice, enabling students to see real-world applications of STEM concepts.
Moreover, the virtual experiments enhance hands-on learning. Students can manipulate virtual objects, conduct experiments, and solve problems in an interactive virtual environment. Consequently, this type of active learning promotes STEM essential skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Additionally, MR fosters collaborative learning. It enables students to work together in the same virtual space, solving challenges, discussing hypotheses, and sharing insights from different physical locations. Collaboration promotes teamwork and communication skills, which are valuable in STEM careers.
A corporate strategy and business development professional, Alton Delane serves as the CEO of EdMotion, Inc., an education technology company in Cary, North Carolina. Under Alton Delane’s leadership, EdMotion acquired SMALLab Learning, LLC, a pioneer in 3D educational software.
Virtual 3D content in education goes beyond textbooks and articles. Instead of reading about objects, teachers can leverage 3D technologies to enable students to examine and explore the subject virtually. For complex subjects such as human anatomy, 3D models allow students to dissect objects and explore their hidden details.
The application of 3D technology in education is virtually endless. For example, high school students can use 3D tools to explore ancient sites in history classes. Similarly, chemistry students can learn about the structure of protein molecules by interacting with virtual models of these molecules on 3D learning platforms. Some education technology companies, such as Edmotion, Inc., know the benefits of leveraging 3D technologies for optimizing STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) and are rolling out 3D learning solutions for various grades.
Based in Cary, North Carolina, Alton Delane leads companies such as EdMotion, Inc., which delivers research-based, 3D educational platforms. Alton Delane has an abiding interest in new educational platforms and methodologies that advance knowledge in the next generation of learners. A particular focus is on programs that teach STEM subjects.
One such program involves the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in Manhattan, which trains teachers on ways of navigating complex science issues in the classroom. Still viewed as trustworthy institutions, museums have largely been able to avoid the cultural wars engulfing school districts. Americans of all political stripes support museums, rating them as more credible than nonprofits, the federal government, and newspapers.
The AMNH program fulfills a critical role in providing teachers with tools for getting the facts right on scientific subjects and avoiding the often erroneous information found on the Internet. Each year, around 4,000 educators are trained by AMNH in areas such as evolution, climate change, and the human body through various professional development programs. In addition, since 2012, in more than 150 teachers have participated in a 15-month, no-tuition Teaching Earth Sciences Residency program that trains teachers who inhabit “high-needs” schools across New York City.
Enabling AMNH’s work is a newly opened wing for studying science that spans 18 renovated and new classrooms and highlights evidence-based learning approaches to interacting with science. Through the hands-on program, young people are able to explore the many practical ways in which science is employed. They also have fun, as the museum offerings provide opportunities for creativity and accommodate unique learning styles that the traditional classroom cannot.
An accomplished corporate strategy and business development specialist with an extensive background encompassing diverse leadership positions, Alton Delane brings a wealth of experience to his role as the CEO of EdMotion Inc. Outside of work, Alton Delane is also an aficionado of classic BMWs.
HotCars.com named the BMW 8 Series E31 among the coolest classic BMWs in the world. The classic vehicle model exteriorly exhibits pop-up headlights and a streamlined body boasting a 0.29 drag coefficient.
The drag coefficient entails the amount of air resistance a car breaks through when it moves. The lower the drag coefficient, the faster a vehicle can move with the same engine.
The low drag coefficient is a testament to the manufacturer’s effort to optimize the vehicle’s speed. According to TopSpeed.com, the BMW 8 Series E31 was created to overtake the acclaimed Ferrari 456 in the 1990s. Boasting a 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V-12 engine, the Ferrari 456 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds.
With its streamlined body and extensively modified V12 engine, the E31 goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. The model is the second post-war German car to carry a V12 engine.
The education sector, like many others, has significantly adopted technology into its processes, which has altered how people learn in modern society. Today, educators utilize technological innovations such as auto-grading and artificial intelligence, which are relatively new, to teach their students. This widespread adoption of education technology, or ed-tech, also creates new trends shaping the sector.
One of these trends is the rise in collaborative learning, which allows students and teachers to interact outside the classroom through various technological services such as eBooks, Slack, and flipped classrooms, bringing teachers closer to their students. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 57 percent of teachers believe the Internet improves students’ ability to interact and discuss with their teachers.
Likewise, collaboration has become a vital aspect of the learning process, with teachers often assigning their students group tasks and activities. Further, these group projects also improve students’ collaborative and interpersonal skills while facilitating a better understanding of the subject matter and increasing their engagement.
Influencer culture is also integrating with educational technology, with many people providing educational content across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, educational apps, and online courses. According to Thinkfic, many social media users are more interested in educational digital content than entertainment content. This shift leads to an upsurge in educational content creators seeking to improve their engagement rates and revenue while providing valuable educational content in specific niches.
Likewise, online or remote learning is rapidly becoming the norm. According to researchers, between 2020 and 2024, the online education market in the US will grow by $12.81 billion. This potential growth is due to educational institutions’ widespread adoption of online learning facilities, which provide their students with increased access to online learning facilities because of their accessibility, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and convenience. For instance, students can easily access their courses when necessary using ed-tech, like mobile-first responsive content.
Further, teachers can now leverage technological services to manage student data and analytics. This access to data allows them to efficiently evaluate a student’s performance using analytics, which records their test performance, reading progress, and attendance rate. Likewise, artificial intelligence is helping automate the teaching process by allowing teachers to evaluate student results online and auto-grading student tasks like multiple-choice tests and fill-in-the-blank assignments. This automation gives teachers more free time to execute their curriculum, provide students with in-depth guidance, and train them on life skills such as critical thinking, coordination, and communication.
Analytics is also essential to assessing student academic performance and classroom engagement. According to research, access to analytics enables teachers to personalize action plans for improving student performance by highlighting and addressing data displaying troubling patterns for individual students or a collective issue. In addition, gamification is an emerging ed-tech trend that is gaining traction. Gamification is a powerful method for increasing student engagement and cognitive development by incorporating educational materials into enjoyable activities.
Ed-tech has significantly altered the educational landscape, allowing educators to deliver information more effectively and interact with their students by creating an immersive learning experience. However, the sector is still evolving, and current projections indicate that the global e-learning market will exceed $460 billion by 2026, implying that new trends will emerge over time.
Successful business leaders typically possess intangible characteristics such as ambition, competitiveness, and innovation, enabling them to create sustainable businesses. However, these traits alone might not suffice without observing ethical business principles.
Ethical principles are generally regarded as moral standards that distinguish between good and bad behavior. These principles specify which actions an organization or individual should perform or emulate and which they shouldn’t, thereby providing a template against which people will judge an organization’s or individual’s actions. Essentially, business ethics, also known as corporate ethics, governs the ethical behaviors that business leaders must follow, and failure to meet these ethical standards could adversely affect an organization’s success.
There are numerous ethical principles that business leaders looking to cultivate customer trust while improving their organization’s overall credibility can implement in their business practices. For instance, consistently maintaining an honest disposition towards staff and customers can help business leaders earn their trust. This can be achieved by staying forthright and candid about information regardless of its nature (favorable or unfavorable) and correcting any misunderstanding. An honest person inevitably cultivates a reputation of trust and reliability.
Similarly, business leaders should uphold a strict code of conduct to maintain integrity. Integrity is frequently described as having strong moral principles and acting consistently in words and deeds. In a professional setting, this trait entails keeping one’s word, being meticulous, and meeting deadlines. However, a crucial component of integrity is that a person must exhibit strong moral courage because upholding morality often comes at a high cost, especially when pressured to act otherwise. But in the long run, integrity enables business leaders to cultivate the respect of their staff and peers.
Next is fairness. Business leaders must endeavor to be just and neutral in their daily activities by avoiding arbitrary misuse of authority and utilizing only decent strategies during business dealings. This trait also allows them to create a business environment centered on equality and collaboration where every employee feels valued, increasing staff engagement.
Business ethics also requires transparency, and business leaders can achieve this by adopting an open book policy, which means that they make information about the organizations readily available to staff, investors, and consumers. This information could include wages, hiring criteria, and price hikes.
Further, upholding corporate ethics is a team effort rather than an individual one. As a result, business owners must develop, implement and enforce a set of rules for staff behavior that governs their operations. They can accomplish this by requiring that employees receive training on the organization’s ethical standards. Implementing a rewards system for staff members who uphold the organization’s ethical standards is helpful. This would encourage others to follow suit. Similarly, business leaders can make their organizations more accountable to customers by improving communication channels between the two via customer support services such as call centers and social media, thereby encouraging ethical behavior.
Consumers have become more interested in the operations of the businesses they patronize in recent years. As a result, adherence to ethical principles has become a requirement for businesses seeking long-term success, enabling organizations to earn and maintain consumer trust while building a credible reputation.
Also known as tactile learning, kinesthetic learning is a learning style in which students learn best through physical and tactile activities. Along with auditory and visual learning, it is one of the three primary learning styles. When designed properly, kinesthetic learning combines all learning styles by including elements of listening, seeing, doing, and creating.
Combining the different ways in which people learn promotes understanding and retention in all learners, but some students benefit more from kinesthetic learning than others. Kinesthetic learners are typically very active and may have a hard time sitting still for a traditional lecture-based lesson. These learners may also have difficulty focusing on a single task for an extended period and prefer to learn by doing instead of listening or watching.
The best way to teach a kinesthetic learner is through physical activities. More passive forms of learning often depend on abstract concepts, which kinesthetic learners can find difficult to understand. These learners are natural problem solvers, but they need to be able to feel and touch objects to understand them. Active learning strategies and activities such as hands-on experiments, role-playing, and interactive science labs help kinesthetic learners understand a concept better by experiencing it.
Some research shows that most of the population are kinesthetic learners. Other studies also show that English language learners prefer kinesthetic learning. In addition, many at-risk adolescents are highly tactual learners and often show academic improvement and higher levels of engagement and motivation when they take part in hands-on activities.
Kinesthetic learning is compatible with all academic subjects, but STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines work particularly well with this learning model. STEM is more than an acronym for math and science subjects – it is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based activities over teacher-centered, lecture-based lessons. The goal of STEM is to develop students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and help them succeed in college and their careers.
To achieve these goals, STEM instruction emphasizes collaboration, communication, and research. Hands-on learning activities help create a sense of wonder and encourage students to ask questions and explore their own ideas. STEM also emphasizes creativity, which is at the heart of kinesthetic learning. Whether performing an experiment, designing a prototype, or exploring a new math concept, students must think creatively and learn to approach a problem from different angles.
STEM subjects are also well-suited to movement-based activities. Math manipulatives like pattern blocks and base 10 blocks help students internalize new math formulas. Students can also model the rays of an angle with their arms or act out word problems. Dance is another way to combine math and movement. One program combining dance and math to teach algebra resulted in a 273 percent improvement in math scores among participants.
Other research shows that incorporating any movement-based activity into math and science curriculum leads to higher test scores and increased creativity, perception skills, and logic development. Additionally, students who are economically or academically disadvantaged often gain the most from these activities, meaning kinesthetic learning can be an equalizer in the classroom.
Beyond improving academic performance in STEM, kinesthetic learning makes it more fun to explore math and science concepts. This leads to better retention and makes students more curious about the world around them. Moreover, by breaking down the mental barriers associated with certain lessons and concepts, kinesthetic learning increases student confidence and participation, and improves their overall attitude toward school.
Alton Delane serves as CEO of EdMotion, an education technology company. He is also interested in early-stage investing and supporting startups. Alton Delane has various hobbies he likes to engage in during his leisure time, one of which is fishing.
Fishing is an exciting recreational activity with minimal risk of injury and an ideal way to indulge in nature. In most cases, fishing injuries aren’t life-threatening and are mostly a result of piercings from hazardous tools like fishing hooks. It is therefore essential to understand how to prevent and treat such injuries.
Before casting your fishing hook, look around properly to ensure nobody is close. After casting your hook, handle it carefully during baiting and when removing the fish. Discarded fishing hooks and sharp rocks around a fishing terrain could also pose an injury threat; it is, therefore, important to always wear rugged shoes that can prevent penetration.
Endeavor to always go fishing with a first aid box as injuries may still occur despite taking safety measures. First aid knowledge to remove hooks from the skin and treat the wound is equally essential. However, in cases of deep penetration, injury to sensitive body parts, and excessive bleeding, seek professional medical care immediately.
Alton Delane 