Update from Director of eLearning and STEM

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

eLearning and STEM @ Mordialloc College

Firstly, I’d like thank all staff, students and parents for the fantastic job that you have done in engaging in online lessons while we have been in a remote learning environment this semester. Google Classroom has never been as busy at the College, and staff and students alike have been able to rapidly adapt to using a range of eLearning software and tools, such as Google Meets, Google Hangout, Stile and Edrolo, among others, to create and participate in engaging and meaningful online classes. It has been great to see the College community really make the most of all the technology available to provide continuity in teaching and learning in these uncertain times.

Semester 1 students have engaged in a range of eLearning and STEM activities, both on and offsite. The lunch time robotics club has seen students learning to program using Python, both in online courses and with some of the robots we have in our STEM lab. In Year 7, Digitech students have also been introduced to coding with Python for the first time using Grok online learning. Year 9 STEM students have been developing their coding skills too, using the Lego Mindstorm EV3 robots, and they have also investigated sustainability and followed a design and engineering framework to create projectile launchers. In Year 10, STEM students have been honing their programming skills even further using drones and mBot Ranger robots. They have also been investigating a range of scientific and sustainability concepts, such as solar energy, and calculating what would be required to remove themselves from the grid. They will be designing and building their own solar cars when they return to school.

In other eLearning news at Mordialloc College, we are continuing our work as an accredited eSmart school to educate our students about Cybersafety. This gives us access to a wide range of resources that we implement across Years 7 to 12 to ensure that students are able to use technology in a safe and responsible manner. If you would like any information on how you can assist your students to be eSafe you can find valuable information at https://www.esafety.gov.au, or contact me at the College for further information.

Justin Wischusen

Director of eLearning and STEM