WeDo 2.0 from LEGO® Education: What is it?
Isn't anyone who ever played with Legos® true? The famous toy has always had an important place in the motor and intellectual development of children. We have always heard that this was a good toy to stimulate children's imagination, creativity and spatial sense. And it's very true. But WeDo 2.0 goes beyond that.
Lego ® Education, a company belonging to the Lego ® group, is over 37 years old, developing and promoting Lego material with teachers and pedagogy specialists. The purpose of using toys is to be used in class in a creative, lively and impactful way.
Within its product package we can find for the range of primary education (or according to the creators, for children over seven), WeDo 2.0. At this point it is already in version 2.0, and consists of a Lego ® parts kit, software (which can be downloaded for free) and a curriculum.
What is WeDo 2.0?
WeDo is a great tool for kids as it helps them learn the basics of programming and coding using Lego pieces, rather than using online course platforms. It is a very simple and intuitive application to use, with a very user friendly interface, easy to explore and to code your inventions with Lego.
As stated above, the application can be used in conjunction with the kit in a didactic environment. In it, teachers guide students in teaching science and engineering focal points, as well as developing problem-solving, solution-modeling, prototyping, and interpretation skills.
Of course the best experience comes with the complete kit and not just in isolation.
What is available with the update?
WeDo version 2.0 brings some improvements over the first version. First, it extends Windows and Mac compatibility for Android, Windows Tablet, and Chrome. For the first time, material sharing is supported, with tools for sharing images and video as well as documentation support.
The new version now supports Bluetooth 4.0 connection, unlike the previous version which only had USB connection.
But the biggest difference comes with regard to the didactic part and the composition of the kit. The first version contained in its collection 158 pieces to be used in 12 different activities. These activities focused on subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Literacy, Engineering and Technology.
Instead, the new version features 280 pieces for a different use. It includes a starter set with 4 different modules, 16 different projects, with defined or open solutions and a library of ideas to explore.
How can WeDo 2.0 help the teacher?
On the teacher's side there are also improvements, with a guide for the educator and an online learning course available to professionals. These materials are available in two languages: English and German. If you don't have a command of the language, check out this article with games to learn English in a fun way and be able to enjoy all that WeDo 2.0 has to offer.
As a finishing touch to the teacher's help, an assessment sheet is also first integrated into the kit. The entire WeDo 2.0 kit is stowed in a board box for easy storage after the game. Or should we say after class?
