The Four C’s in STEM: Communication

But, even though everyone agrees, this skill seems to somehow get lost with all of the other obligations we have in the classroom.  Here are some easy ways to incorporate digital communication in your classroom.

Padlet

Padlet is a dynamic way for students to brainstorm and collect ideas for a project.  Acting like a virtual bulletin board, this online app allows users to create digital sticky notes and arrange them on the canvas.

Part of the beauty of this application is that users don’t need to create an account, although opting to create one provides additional features like being able to post to the wall for more than 24 hours and toggle back and forth between different walls.

MindUp

In discussing online communication tools, it’s hard not to also include a concept map.  We use them so much in education to help students to brainstorm and think through their ideas, so it seems only natural to include one on our list.

MindUp is free and is completely online with no login required (although you can create an account for additional features.)  Users can create unlimited maps and even store them on the site for a short period of time.

This application is easy enough for younger students to grasp quickly and robust enough for older students to add all of the elements they need. Plus, it has the added bonus of being able to export maps or save them to Google Drive.

Check out the STEM Skills Challenges, focusing on skills employers want!