EN_EduPlay_GeneralDescription

General
Description
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General
Description
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Table of Content
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Introduction
1
Product Profile
3
System Components
10
Activities
12
Directions
13
Our World in Names
13
Our World in Names Advanced
13
Color and Spatial Orientation
14
Butterflies
14
Geometrical Shapes
14
Whole and Parts
15
Nature in Puzzles
15
Mathematical Terms- A
15
Mathematical Terms- B
16
Continuous Line Puzzles
16
Getting to Know Letters
16
Curriculum Integration
17
EduPlay Skills
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General
Description
Introduction
EduPlay is the complete learning solution for
preschoolers (ages 2 to 5) and inclusive education environments with special education students.
EduPlay’s unique integration of software with
pedagogical accessories offers children a positive and enriching learning environment.
EduPlay’s multimedia environment and
various activities help develop creativity,
problem-solving skills, visual and auditory memory, cause and effect relationships,
hand-eye coordination, self-esteem and curiosity.
EduPlay’s modularity enables greater flexibility for the teachers and children. EduPlay comes with two systems, Illuminated
Keyboard and Basic System, each offering
unique components. Teachers can work
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with either or both systems, as needed. The
teacher typically assigns groups of children
to interact with the system, providing opportunities to develop critical social-emotional skills.
The topics and activities are adaptable to
the existing curriculum and can be easily
customized to accommodate the age, learning level and the cognitive development of
the individual child or the group.
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General
Description
Product
Profile
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General
Description
Philosophy
Cognitive theorist, Jean Piaget, explains that children understand concepts first in the concrete
and then abstractly. EduPlay’s natural interaction between the concrete pedagogical accessories and the abstract computer world supports
this fundamental learning process. EduPlay’s
physical environment and its concrete didactic
materials reflect the virtual environment displayed on the computer screen.
Hungarian mathematician, Zoltan Paul
Dienes developed a six-stage theory of how
children learn math through games. He
states that math is important for predicting,
understanding and describing the world
around us. EduPlay’s two mathematical
reasoning topics help young children explore math concepts and engage in group
conversation, both essential parts Diene’s
theory.
Activities involve a number of different
stages. First, the child explores and constructs the initial concepts through activities with various accessories in the physical
environment. The Teacher Resource Manual provides suggestions for introductory
activities, classroom integration and opportunities for topic-based enrichment. Then,
the child interacts with both the software
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activities and the concrete accessories to
reinforce the new concepts on an abstract
level followed by closing activities and other extension activities.
Neil Fleming, a New Zealand University
professor, developed a model for learning
styles. According to this model, known as
VAK, learners possess a preference for visual, auditory or kinesthetic learning. The
EduPlay system combines multimedia
courseware with 3D didactic materials to
appeal to all young learners. In addition
to visuals, the software has music, auditory clues and feedback to engage auditory learners. The bright colored puzzles,
blocks and Cuisenaire-type rods engage
visual and kinesthetic learners. In addition, research now shows that all children
should be exposed to all learning types in
order to stretch their thinking.
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General
Description
Inclusive
Environments
and Special Needs
Students
In addition to specific teaching strategies,
EduPlay has integrated their product with
seven research-based types of modifications and adaptations specifically designed
for working with young children with special needs. (Wolery & Wilburs 1994; Hemmeter et al. 2001; Sandall, Schwartz, & Joseph 2001; Sandall et al. 2002).
These strategies center on ways to provide:
environmental support, material modification, activity modification, using child
preferences, peer support, invisible support, and adult support. These modifications offer classrooms using EduPlay, many
different and appropriate ways to support
the development and learning of individual
students and can make the difference between a child merely being present in the
class to the child being actively involved.
Cooperative Learning
EduPlay is best implemented through cooperative learning, as it cultivates social
skills while developing necessary cognitive
skills, all of which contribute to the child’s
school readiness and personal growth and
development. The ideal implementation of
EduPlay allows students to work in flexible
groups on the systems.
Teachers arrange a roster of children
where each group is assigned a designated period on the system. There may be one
or more time slots apportioned each week
depending on the school’s facilities. The
Teacher Resource Manual provides suggested extension assignments for students
to complete between their rotations on the
system.
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General
Description
Computer Literacy (ICT) Role of the Teacher
Knowing how to use a computer is a must
in today’s world. Young children naturally acquire and practice computer literacy
skills through the use of EduPlay’s unique
Illuminated Keyboard. The EduPlay Basic
System also allows students to work with
the regular keyboard, using specific rulers
and a limited number of keys. Both options
enable students to focus on the software activities instead of navigating on a 104 key
standard keyboard.
The EduPlay system works as a tool for
classroom teachers. Teachers are encouraged to use the systems, didactic materials
and manuals in connection with personal
experience and creativity. EduPlay is constructed with the role of teacher as facilitator. In this capacity, the teacher customizes
activities for the students, teaches them to
work independently and allows for assessment to inform instruction.
Training and
Consultancy Services
Curricula Integration
and Customization
EduPlay includes key learning areas and
skills which align with a universal early
childhood curriculum. Teachers can modify content and weave particular curricula
goals and cultural specificity into the activities. Both the Teacher Resource Manual and
the training expand on this.
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Set-Up
The systems may be arranged within the
classroom, encouraging group work in an
interactive center or teachers can bring
groups of students to the computer lab in
the school. Either way, the unique combination of software and concrete didactic
materials allows teachers to maximize the
number of students who can access the materials.
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Edu-Consulting provides intensive training
either in Israel or on-site, bringing pedagogic experts to the client. The training
focuses on understanding the pedagogy of
the products, the use of the systems and
integration into any classroom, taking into
consideration the local educational methods and specifications.
The training includes theory-based presentations as well as guided opportunities
to engage with the products. Emphasis is
placed on understanding the system components and how they interconnect as well
as how to use the teacher manuals.
Technical
Implementation
Solutions
»»
User-friendly for teachers and students
Designed for one computer or for projection onto a large screen.
»»
Adaptable to electric or solar power
sources.
»» Off-line system; internet access is not
necessary.
»» Plug and play: ready to use with no
additional devices needed.
»» Systems designed for individual or cooperative learning groups.
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General
Description
System Components
Multimedia Courseware (73 Activities)
EduPlay’s interactive software library is divided into ten
programs. While exploring and learning each specific subject, children develop important cognitive, psychosocial
and motor skills according to their abilities.
Comprehensive Teacher Manuals (3)
User guides provide easy navigation within the system and
suggestions for integrating the pedagogical accessories
with computer sessions as well as enrichment activities to
facilitate integration of EduPlay into the existing curriculum.
Illuminated Keyboard (1)
EduPlay’s Illuminated Keyboard is easy to operate and is
appropriate for small hands. Comprised of six large keys
(on a 30x22x10 cm panel) the keyboard works like a mouse
and limits the number of distractors.
The colorful blocks, shapes and the diverse nature puzzles
provided with the system, let the students perform freeform or system-guided activities. The concrete didactic materials are seamlessly integrated with the system components supporting and enhancing classroom teaching.
Mats (5)
Color-coordinated mats (100 x 70 cm), used with the concrete materials, are placed on the activity table according
to the software activity.
Task Cards (4 sets)
The Task Cards are intended for use in teaching the basics
of guided learning with built-in feedback for self-monitoring.
System Requirements
Rulers (7)
Rulers allow for students to interact on a standard keyboard as part of the EduPlay Basic System. Placed above
the numbers, the rulers draw students’ attention to specific
keys to use when interacting with the software.
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3D Objects: Blocks, Shapes and Puzzles
(135)
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PC installed with Windows 7, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, Speakers, USB port
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General
Description
Directions through the Illuminated Keyboard
The Illuminated Keyboard is designed specifically for children ages
2 to 5 years. It features large keys that are appropriate for small
hands. These activities introduce the students to the keyboard and
allow for them to experiment with directionality.
Key Objectives
»» To introduce the concepts of “up”, “down”, “right”, “left”
»» To develop spatial awareness
»» To develop of attention and concentration
»» To develop visual and auditory memory.
Activities
Our World in Names
Our World in Names requires students to classify and categorize
objects according to group or size.
Key Objectives
»» To develop an understanding of classification
»» To develop an understanding of categorization
»» To expand the child’s vocabulary of everyday items
Our World in Names - Advanced
The Advanced level adds words in addition to pictures for an opportunity to incorporate literacy skills as part of matching.
Key Objectives
»» To develop early literacy skills by understanding grouping
and being able
»» To express how and why items fit into specific groups
»» To refine visual discrimination and word recognition
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General
Description
Colors and Spatial Orientation
Whole and Parts
Two learning areas are addressed in this section: Colors and Spatial Orientation. Students identify colors and manipulate objects in
activities that incorporate blocks, matrices and free drawing.
Whole and Part activities build on students’ knowledge of geometrical shapes. The students identify, seek and find, build and create
with familiar shapes.
Key Objectives
Key Objectives
»» To develop an awareness of colors and their specific
names
»» To enjoy coloring-in activities and free drawing
»» To exercise planning and visual-spatial skills
»» To gain an understanding of and be able to name some
prepositions
»» To explore familiar shapes and more complex shapes
»» To exercise the use of cognitive skills such as comparison
analysis, classification and generalization
»» To create different pictures and exercise creative thinking
»» To introduce the concept of fractions
Nature in Puzzles
Butterflies
The butterflies’ activities are an extension of color. Students are
engaged in color matching through pictures in a nature scene.
Key Objectives
»» To explore color in the natural world
»» To visually discriminate and match accordingly
»» To develop mindfulness and attention to detail
Key Objectives
»» To develop visual problem solving skills
»» To refine visual discrimination and visual memory
»» To develop and refine visual-spatial perception
»» To extend concrete-to-abstract experience and proficiency
Geometrical Shapes
Mathematical Terms- A
Early mathematical learning engages students in identifying and
categorizing shapes by names and attributes. The activities incorporate color recognition and creativity.
Activities provide students with ample opportunity for mathematical thinking. Students engage in estimating, identifying, counting
and comparing of objects and quantities.
Key Objectives
Key Objectives
»» To recognize simple and more complex shapes and to be
able to name them
»» To exercise key cognitive skills, naming, comparison,
analysis, classification and generalization
»» To refine perception, memory and attention
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Puzzle activities are an opportunity for students to visually manipulate objects in order to construct a picture. Students can turn, move
and color pieces both on screen and using the didactic materials.
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»» To understand the concept of zero
»» To recognize and name numerals 0-10
»» To use estimation in understanding approximate amounts
»» To develop an understanding of one-to-one correspondence
»» To understand the terms more, less and equal
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General
Description
Mathematical Terms- B
Through measurement and mathematical operations, students
extend their knowledge of numbers and quantities. Activities incorporate the didactic blocks, which are color coordinated and
marked with black lines to represent quantity.
Key Objectives
»» To understand numerical sequence
»» To explore the relationships of “more - less”, “longer shorter”, “higher - lower”
»» To explore the meaning of the mathematical operations
addition and subtraction
Puzzles
Simple line drawings provide an opportunity for students to visually manipulate objects on a 9-piece grid. These activities require
spatial perception and go beyond the shape of puzzle pieces to see
the picture as a whole.
Key Objectives
»» To develop visual problem solving skills
»» To exercise understanding of spatial orientation
»» To extend experiences with directionality
Getting to Know Letters
Activities with letters introduce students to pre-literacy skills. Students have the opportunity to name and match while being exposed to the orientation of letters on a keyboard.
Curricula
Integration
The EduPlay system is ideal for students 2 to 5 years old
and aligns with early childhood learning goals. Early
childhood education integrates primary subject areas with
a purposeful blend of content and skills. Learning is exploratory, play-focused and center-based for ideal group
interaction. Early childhood curricula are comprised of
foundational skills and experiences which children build
upon in order to be successful in school and in life. Active
exploration of blocks, puzzles and manipulatives enhance
skill development and is the key to discovery and understanding. Guided by teachers, children engage in EduPlay
activities to promote critical thinking and processing, with
a host of other important skills detailed throughout the
product description.
Key Objectives
»» To develop visual discrimination of letters
»» To exercise understanding of print directionality
»» To introduce keyboarding skills
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General
Description
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Areas of Child
Development
Children’s development can be divided
into three main areas: Social-emotional, physical and cognitive. Quality early
childhood education aims to promote
optimal development in all these areas
so as to enhance the holistic development of each child. Since no child develops in the same way across these areas, opportunities must be provided to
enhance each child’s strong areas and
improve his/her weaker areas. Eduplay
not only focuses on each area but allows
the teacher to customize the educational
experience for each child according to
what s/he needs within the larger group.
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Social-Emotional development is made
up of three parts: sense of self, responsibility of self and others and prosocial behavior. Within this plane of development
children communicate; interact within a
group; share; initiate or join-in to play; listen to others and follow rules. The EduPlay
system is ideally designed for group work,
encouraging interaction and collaboration.
The Teacher Resource Manual provides
topic-specific ideas for classroom integration and continued social-emotional development.
»» Physical development is made up of two
parts: gross motor and fine motor. Within
this plane of development children demonstrate hand-eye coordination, keyboarding,
trunk support and control of hand muscles.
EduPlay’s concrete didactic materials are
designed specifically for the hands of young
children, refining motor skills and providing stereognostic impressions of geometric
shapes and the like. The Illuminated Keyboard is made up of six large keys, allowing
children to move the cursor like a mouse
and navigate the work environment. The
Basic System introduces keyboarding skills
and provides an opportunity for children
to use small keys as their fine motor skills
develop.
»» Cognitive development is made up of
three parts: learning and problem-solving, logical thinking and symbolic thinking. Within this plane of development
children apply prior knowledge to new
situations; show persistence in completing
tasks; compare, classify, group and arrange
object; pretend and make interpretations.
The EduPlay system provides opportunities for children to hear and use language,
ask questions and develop a range of math
skills. While interacting with the system
children also develop a variety of skills as
outlined in the EduPlay Skills Table.
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General
Description
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School Readiness
Technological
Competence
School readiness refers to the skills and
knowledge necessary for children to be
successful in school. These skills include the
ability to self-regulate, appreciate books,
recognize patterns, pay attention and develop relationships. The EduPlay system
provides software and classroom activities
to ensure students’ successful transition to
kindergarten and beyond.
Today’s children are part of the first truly digital generation. According to a 2013
Common Sense Media report, children under age 2 regularly use computers, smartphones or tablets. Young children are developing the necessary skills to interact
with and manipulate technology. Preschool
age children possess a desire to connect to
software and are motivated by technology.
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General
Description
EduPlay
Skills
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General
Description
Our
World
in Names
Color
Butterfly
Whole
and Parts
Mathematical
Terms A
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Sequential thinking
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Abstract reasoning
Visual Memory
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Visual Alertness
Visual discrimination
Puzzles
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Cause/Effect thinking
Problem solving
Mathematical
Terms B
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Uses Imagination
Getting
to Know
Letters
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Auditory Processing
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Auditory discrimination
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Vocabulary enrichment
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Decoding symbols
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Classification
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1:1 Correspondence
Seriation
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Numerical-symbolic
relationship
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Engagement with materials
- follows rules
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Increasing AutonomyIndependence
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Keyboarding Skills
Pro-social behaviors: takes
turns, curiosity
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Perseverance - frustration
toleranc
Utilizes positive feedback
Visual-Motor
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Spatial relationships
Motor planning and
execution
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Whole: Part relationships
Quantitative concepts
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