
Following the learning pyramid, Rex Academy’s computer science curriculum falls under the strongest method of learning.
Many educators know of the learning pyramid, yet it is not always incorporated into school curriculum, afterschool classes, or summer camps. How can education facilities incorporate this important and data-backed information into their education systems? Through Rex Academy!
A learning pyramid with the average percentages of what humans remember. Image from VariQuest.
So, what is a learning pyramid? Simply put, it is a pyramid that shows the different methods of teaching worst to best. For a more in depth explanation of the pyramid, click here.
Rex Academy teaches a variety of computer science classes and camps, so what method of learning do they fall under? Experiential learning! But what does that mean?
Simply put, experiential learning is allowing students to learn through experience, or reflect on what they are doing. Experiential learning curriculum should be able to check off each of the following points.
- Curriculum requires non-negotiable active student participation.
- Curriculum combines first-hand experience with reflection.
- Curriculum expands on previous knowledge, experiences, and reflections.
- Curriculum is filled with hands-on activities.
- Curriculum encourages collaboration and teamwork, if a group class.
Rex Academy checks off all the points on the list. Rex Academy’s STEAM classes are filled with activities, projects, quizzes, games, and more to ensure active student participation.
Students in engineering classes take part in a multitude of hands-on activities and then complete challenges, quizzes, etc. to reflect on their newfound knowledge. Students in programming classes code different games, apps, websites, animations, etc. to learn the material through programming. They then go through their programs to find and fix any bugs, errors of problems in the code, that arise. This allows them to reflect on their coding skills and the concepts they are learning.
Rex Academy’s activities and lessons build off of past knowledge, to ensure students understand new material as easily as possible. Activities and discussions use previous experiences as a base to build off of when exploring new topics.
Classes are filled with various hands-on activities and projects to ensure knowledge retention and maximum levels of fun. Whether programming a fun game, building a giant battle robot, flying a drone, or creating circuits using conductive ink, Rex Academy is sure to include various projects every step of the way.
Group classes are filled with group projects, discussions, and other fun methods of not only teaching students about technology, but also increasing students’ propensity for teamwork. Instructors encourage healthy collaboration while avoiding student’s dependence on a partner. Classes encourage students’ ability to teach and help their peers.
Knowledge of STEAM activities is a vital skill for the coming generation, and Rex Academy’s technology and computer science classes ensure a fun and educational experience for every student by utilizing experiential learning methods. Rex Academy’s classes are filled with hands-on activities to maximize the effectiveness of students’ learning. Education facilities utilizing Rex Academy’s curriculum are bound to have happier and smarter students who are set up for success in their futures.