Teachers requested a simple way to demonstrate the steps in a TechnoKids coding course. We responded and created Lab. Explore Lab and all the other great new features of TechnoHub today! If you have not done so already, sign up for free coding lesson plans and digital literacy courses from TechnoKids.
What Is Lab?
Lab opens an application in a frame directly in the course window that allows you to demonstrate instructional steps and create projects without having to leave TechnoHub.
This all-new feature allows you to display both the instructions for a task in one frame of the course window, and at the same time, you can open the software and work on the assignment in another frame. Lab lets you and your students see both the instructions and the app that you are using simultaneously. The result is that it’s much simpler to open one window than to struggle to open two different windows and size them to fit on one screen. And it’s much better than having to toggle back and forth between windows with the instructions and the software application!
More importantly, being able to view both instructions and software concurrently improves and streamlines the learning experience. Students can focus on developing new skills instead of struggling to manage their devices.
What Apps Are Available in Lab?
At this time, you can use Lab with many TechnoKids courses. Lab supports:
- Scratch
- Scratch Jr
- Bot Libre: TechnoKids Host Chatbot Platform
- HTML
- Python (coming soon)
How to Use Lab with Free Coding Lesson Plans
Yes, you can split your screen on most devices to view dual windows. However, Lab offers simplicity. It saves you that step with just one click. Check it out:
- Open a course on your bookshelf.
- Go to the session or assignment you want. Open the instructions in whatever format you wish – Teacher Guide, Course Slides, or Student Workbook. (See our previous blog about using Course Slides to facilitate instruction and learning.)
- Simply click on the Lab icon and a frame opens with the appropriate app for that course, ready to start the task listed in the instructions alongside.
Note: Free trial users do not have access to the entire course. However, so that teachers can easily test and demonstrate a practical lesson to their students, we deliberately picked standalone tasks for the trial. These assignments are classroom ready – try them out with your class to explore Lab as well as other great new features of Hub.
Use the trial version of TechnoChatbot to build an event chatbot in Scratch. With this activity, students program a bot that can answer attendees’ questions using keyword matching. It can be completed using the free trial Session 2 instructions and Lab. Try it out!
Try out the features of Lab to adjust it to you and your students’ needs.
- Open and Close Lab: Click the Lab button to either open the Lab frame or to close it again. On closing, you will return to the instructions, but the course will still be open.
- Change Frame Size: Both frame windows can be adjusted to suit your instructional needs.
Drag the center frame resize tool. This is convenient when you want to enlarge the Lab window in the right frame to focus student attention on the coding steps. You can also zoom the instructions in the left frame in or out to make them easy to read. This flexibility enriches and boosts student learning.
- Switch Lab Applications: Some courses, such as TechnoChatbot, use multiple applications – Scratch and Bot Libre. There is a convenient tab in Lab to switch between coding apps for these instances.
What Are the Benefits to Using Lab?
Increase Student Comprehension
Lab allows you to easily demonstrate the steps in a TechnoKids assignment. Show the coding steps right alongside the instructions. This makes it an invaluable tool for boosting students’ understanding of the task.
Differentiate Instruction
Lab appeals to diverse learning styles making it easy for students to complete the task on their own device. This feature provides teachers with the ability to demonstrate the steps with visuals, paired with an oral explanation. Students can read the instructions on the course slides or workbook page which reinforces the teacher’s instructions. The ability to place the course slides and lab beside one another maximizes learning for all.
Simplify Teaching
Lab provides teachers with everything they need in one place. No more toggling back and forth between tabs or windows. It is simple to deliver instructions and create a TechnoKids project at the same time. Lab eliminates the possibility of accidentally closing a program during instruction, opening the wrong application, or losing student interest while you are switching from one thing to another. Enhance the development of new skills with an efficient learning environment.
Engage Students With Active Learning
Lab makes it easy for students to follow along on their own device during the teacher’s demonstration. The model becomes the jumping-off point to design their own unique project. Lab actively involves students in the learning process.
Create Using Online Coding Apps
In the upcoming year, individual student accounts will become available. Students will be able to create their work directly in the course window using Lab. No matter the device or operating system, everyone can use the same coding applications.
Free Coding Lesson Plans for Teachers
Try out Lab today! Get ready-to-teach coding lesson plans when you sign up for a free trial subscription to TechnoHub. Even if you’re not a TechnoKids customer, you can still sign up for free.
It’s easy – sign up here.