by PRP Group, on 09/26/2022
With millions of dollars of ESSER funding (as well as other federal, state, and local grants) still available, the smartest edtech investments are the ones that meet the following criteria:
- Are research-backed and deliver evidence-based solutions.
- Provide flexible, ongoing professional development.
- Offer hours of curriculum to support any subject.
Let’s dive deeper into each of these points to prove the case for bringing coding and robotics into young learners’ hands to support development of computational thinking and invaluable science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) skills.
1. Evidence of effect is critical.
Early childhood educators seeking funds for edtech should focus on research-backed solutions. When looking to introduce STEAM robotic solutions for children in preK through 5th grade, rely on research to prove the importance of introducing coding robots at a young age. For instance, the decades of research behind the screen-free KIBO robot show that even the youngest students can learn sequencing and coding in a fun and engaging way, regardless of curriculum. Powerful, positive learning outcomes for young learners when working with robotics include the following:
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