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Traditional learning methods and materials tend to limit children's natural
ability to learn by establishing specific routes to be used to arrive at a
given solution. And instead of having a variety of possible solutions,
students are usually limited to just one. The result is that they simply
reproduce knowledge instead of conceptualising it themselves.
By contrast, educational solutions from LEGO Educational Division are
open-ended, encouraging creativity and imaginative problem-solving by
offering a number of different paths to a given solution, depending on the
concept in question.
Chris Rogers, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at
Tufts University, USA, believes this is an important feature of
modern learning tools: "In my opinion, schools should teach
children to be curious about the things around them i.e. how
to solve problems and where to look for solutions and find
answers. If you give children those tools they can solve any
problem. Because LEGO Educational Division tools allow
children open-ended problem-solving, children get curious
and with the help of the teacher, children can find answers to
their questions.
"
We believe that if children are placed in supportive learning
environments they will enter the learning cycle, confident that they
will be able to solve any challenge.
A supportive learning environment is one that allows the child to construct
his or her own knowledge within a certain framework. This means that the
optimal learning environment should allow for choice and diversity in a
congenial atmosphere.
Our educational solutions for pre-schools and schools recognise children's
natural talent as self-directed learners, and they create a learning environ-
ment filled with open-ended activities that build on choice and diversity.
Sheri Franks,
Ocoee Middle School in Ocoee, Florida, US:
about the diversity of LEGO
Educational Division materials
This is the first time as a teacher
that I've seen a program equally
incorporate all learning styles and
levels. And, since most of the
instructions are graphic, even those
with less advanced reading skills
are successful.
The optimal learning tool
Choice:
all human beings have different interests and
are attracted to or motivated by different things.
Diversity:
since all human beings learn differently,
everyone has an individual knowledge bank and,
consequently, a unique point of departure.
Congeniality:
in order to explore and become
absorbed in a problem, you need a safe atmosphere
that provides room to grow and the conditions
needed to learn from mistakes.
