Category Archives: Technology

EV3 iPad App

Posted on April 9, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

LEGO Education has released a free iPad app for EV3. I was fortunate to be able to do some curriculum consulting work on this project. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lego-education-mindstorms/id959374369?mt=8  

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Review of Elementary Robotics

Posted on April 7, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

My book got a nice review on LegoEngineering.com http://www.legoengineering.com/elementary-robotics-book-review/

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The Power of Wireless Projector Connection

Posted on March 27, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

This is a real incident from a  study I just completed that compared teacher use of technology with and without wireless projection systems.  I found that these systems changed the spatial arrangements in the classroom as well as the reach … Continue reading →

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Space Challenge Ready To Go

Posted on January 9, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

My enrichment students have finished building all the LEGO EV3 Space Challenge pieces and are ready to take on the challenge missions!

Posted in Robotics, Teaching, Technology | 3 Comments

Timeline

Posted on July 2, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

I want to plot kid’s engineering design process cycles but don’t know how to get EXCEL to combine events of the same type on the same line.  For the example below, I want the 2 PLAN events to be on … Continue reading →

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Elementary Robotics Book Talk – June 19, 2014 – Meekins Library, Williamsburg

Posted on May 22, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Author’s Talk John Heffernan Elementary Robotics: Sustaining the Natural Engineering Instincts of Children Thursday, June 19, 2014 7 PM to 8 PM 2 Williams Street, Williamsburg, MA 01341 413-268-7472 Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are natural engineers. They love sand castles, … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Research, Robotics, Teaching, Technology | 2 Comments

Burglar Alarm Trap

Posted on March 17, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Here’s a recent grade 4 burglar alarm model. The burglar is detected by a motion sensor, a trap is lowered, and the police arrest the burglar.

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Sample Lesson Plan – Grade 2 Robotic Amusement Park Ride Challenge

Posted on June 26, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

I am in the process of finishing my Elementary Engineering with Robotics book.  I am now finishing all the lesson plans.  Here is a sample lesson that will be in the book.  Note that the standards alignment will be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Robotics, Teaching, Technology | 6 Comments

LEGO WeDo Vehicle Challenge

Posted on May 31, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

I needed another open ended challenge for a grade 3 class that wanted to do another project this year. A couple of second graders made a car for the amusement park challenge this year (see below) so I thought I … Continue reading →

Posted in Robotics, Teaching, Technology | 5 Comments

New Social Technologies

Posted on April 1, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

I noticed for the first time this year (when sixth graders were doing their yearbook pages),  how much of their photos are on Instagram and other social media.  In the past, kids have brought in photos on CD and USB … Continue reading →

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