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  • Home > Education > Early Education > Cause & Effect > Using Switches
    Using Switches to Access the Curriculum

    Rather than being introduced as an end in itself, technology and its uses should be integrated into an existing set of curricular activities, in such a way that it adds a new dimension to these activities.

    By using a Mains Switcher box and a suitable switch, the pupil can control devices operated by mains electricity, such as lamps, bubble columns, hair dryers, fans, food mixers, and so on."

    picture of some tropical fishThe 5-14 Curriculum in Scotland offers a useful framework within which learning experiences may be structured for example around particular themes. For example the Learning Centre in Lockerbie Primary School chose water as a theme through which to integrate areas of 5-14 Curriculum. As part of the water theme, activities were devised which make use of an aquarium. A Mains Switcher, in this case operating a lamp illuminating a fish tank, encourages a degree of independent control, a key part of the Personal and Social Development strand.

    The aquarium acts as a topic base within which to encourage turn-taking in conversation, an early communication skill. By pressing on a taction pad attached to the fish food, a spoken instruction to “feed the fish” can be produced.

    Other concepts such as number, time and events happening that week, can be used to develop listening skills. Attaching a switch to a toy squirt gun can give the pupil responsibility to water the plants although unable to use an ordinary watering can.
     

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