Join us as we make connections between Makey Makey and its exciting uses in STEM learning. We chat about the importance of understanding STEM, the power of hands on learning and practical ways to integrate Makey Makey into different curriculum areas. We share pros, cons and tips straight from the classroom to help you to Tech it Up a Notch!

Key Takeaways - Makey Makey

• Rich STEM projects involve design thinking and problem solving.
• Makey Makey empowers students to create interactive projects using everyday objects.
• Hands-on learning fuels creativity, curiosity, and engagement.
• Thoughtful integration of technology can enhance curriculum outcomes across subjects.
• Explicit teaching strategies are vital for meaningful STEM learning, but don’t stop there!
• Assess student learning through the design process, not just final products.
• Collaboration and group work enrich the learning experience with Makey Makey.
• Makey Makey connects naturally to multiple curriculum areas, including Science and the Creative Arts.

Resources

Makey Makey Website

Makey Makey Intro Video

Makey Makey Plug and Play apps

Scratch

Hour of Code

Classroom Screen

Google Classroom

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch, we introduce Google Vids, a new(ish) collaborative video editing tool perfect for classroom use.

We explore its features, benefits, and limitations, and share how it integrates with Google Classroom.

We also chat about the role of creative expression in learning and how Google Vids can support curriculum outcomes, making it a valuable resource for teachers wanting to boost student engagement and collaboration.

Key Takeaways - Google Vids:

• is a collaborative, browser-based video editing tool for students - no extra software needed.

• seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace and Google Classroom.

• offers modern, user-friendly templates and access to stock images.

• supports creative expression, differentiation, and student engagement.

• Teachers can create and share templates directly in Google Classroom.

• allows videos capped at 10 minutes, a helpful boundary for focus, though sometimes limiting.

Resources

Google Vids training and help

Get Started with Vids in Workspace

Best practices for Google Vids

We are Clare and Rachael, two Australian teachers with a love for digital learning, creativity, and all things learning. After years of sharing ideas in schools, we’re taking our conversations to the world to help you bring technology into your classroom with confidence.

In this trailer, you’ll get to know us, our teaching journeys, and the story behind Tech It Up a Notch.

Got a question or a tool you’d love us to explore? Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!