5 Benefits of Earning College Credit in High School
by Christopher E. Nelson
What is a STEAM Education and Why is it Gaining Popularity?
byKevin Neese
4 min to read
In recent years, educators and parents have become increasingly aware of the importance of providing students with a comprehensive education that includes both the sciences and the arts. Traditionally, educational curriculums have placed a strong emphasis on STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM was developed with good intentions, aiming to prepare students for a world where technology and scientific innovation take center stage.
So, what is the meaning of STEAM education, and why is it rapidly gaining popularity? Well, there is a growing realization that the arts should not be overlooked in education. This is where STEAM comes in—a fresh perspective that integrates the arts into the traditional STEM model, allowing for a well-rounded, holistic education for students of all backgrounds.
What is STEAM Education?
A STEAM education can be defined as an evolution of the traditional STEM education model that adds the arts into the mix. With this new acronym, STEAM stands for "Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics." STEAM learning takes a truly holistic approach, encouraging students to think outside the box, solve problems innovatively, and make connections between seemingly unrelated subjects. It recognizes the importance of the arts as catalysts for nurturing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills in students. It goes beyond visual arts and includes music, drama, and other forms of creative expression.
Why is STEAM Education Gaining Popularity?
STEAM education is steadily gaining popularity in educational curriculums across the country, and there are several compelling reasons behind this trend. There is a growing recognition that a well-rounded education must include the arts. While STEM subjects are undeniably important for technological advancement and scientific innovation, integrating the arts into the curriculum may enhance students' engagement, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
By incorporating the arts into STEM, STEAM education programs can create a dynamic learning environment that encourages collaboration and fosters teamwork. It gives students the opportunity to work together in teams, bringing together diverse perspectives and leveraging each other's unique strengths. This collaborative approach mirrors real-world scenarios where individuals from different backgrounds come together to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and produce work greater than the sum of its parts.
The Importance of the Arts in Education
Arts and sciences are often viewed as separate and independent domains, but they actually overlap and complement one another in numerous ways. Science can provide the spark for artistic expression, such as through data visualization or scientific illustrations. Similarly, artistic practices can inform scientific investigations by encouraging curiosity, openness, observation, experimentation, and documentation. By embracing the intersection of arts and sciences in STEAM education, students develop interdisciplinary skills and learn to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.
The arts play a significant role in education, offering unique benefits to students. Artistic activities stimulate the imagination, allowing students to explore different modes of self-expression, and have a positive impact on emotional intelligence. They provide avenues for students to unleash their creativity, experiment with various mediums, and develop their artistic talents. Additionally, arts education enhances cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, communication, and analytical thinking. It also promotes cultural understanding, empathy, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
For example, in a STEAM-based curriculum, students might explore the connection between geometry and art by examining the shapes and symmetry used in various architectural designs. This blend of disciplines not only enhances the learning experience for students but also makes learning more engaging, captivating, and relatable overall.
Connections Academy: Providing a Well-Rounded Education
At Connections Academy, a leading provider of online education, we understand the importance of a well-rounded education. Through our innovative curriculum, Connections Academy offers students opportunities to engage in STEAM learning experiences. We provide interactive projects, hands-on experiments, and creative activities that combine arts and sciences.
Students can explore topics like robotics, coding, visual arts, music, and more, nurturing their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. By incorporating STEAM education, Connections Academy ensures that students receive an education that prepares them for future success and personal fulfillment.
Embracing the Power of STEAM in Education
As educators, parents, and students increasingly recognize the significance of combining arts and sciences in the learning process, STEAM education is gaining popularity. By integrating the arts into STEM subjects, STEAM education fosters creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in students. It equips them with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As STEAM education continues to gain momentum, it is crucial for educators, parents, and students to embrace the synergy of arts and sciences, cultivating a love for learning, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking, and empowering the next generation to make meaningful contributions in a variety of fields.
Ready to Learn More
About Connections Academy?
Explore the benefits of attending Connections Academy, a tuition-free, accredited online public school that’s passionate about helping your child thrive.
Related Posts
-
-
Discover How Riddles Can Improve Your Child’s Creativity
by Christopher E. Nelson
-
10 Computer Keyboard Shortcuts and Other Tips for Kids
by Christopher E. Nelson
Students at every level and in every environment need to learn time-management skills. For online students, technology plays a huge role in managing time for virtual school tasks.
The basics of time management for online students come down to knowing how to navigate computers to access online and technology-based educational resources and how to sort them and the information they’ve gleaned from them. Today’s students must be able to type well, and then, to make their lives easier, they need to learn keyboard shortcuts for the most frequently used computer functions.
Below we offer some computer keyboard shortcuts to help your online or homeschool student get the most out of his or her time spent preparing for and participating in the online classroom.
Typing and Keyboard Practice for Kids
Let’s start with the computer basics for kids. TypingClub offers more than 600 lessons that teach touch-typing with the correct hand posture for every key. Its game structure and animated stories make lessons engaging and fun, and the student’s work is rewarded by stars, badges, and increasing levels of mastery to reach for. TypingClub computer lessons for kids are free, but a premium, ad-free version requires a fee.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Online Learning
Computer keyboard shortcuts are combinations of two or more keys that execute certain tasks that otherwise require a mouse-click on a menu link or some other type of input. Some are well-known, like Control (Ctrl) + C (Command or Cmd + C on a Mac) to copy highlighted text and save it to be pasted elsewhere with Ctrl + V or Cmd + V.
Shortcuts are timesavers for those who know them well enough to use them by second nature. Here is a printable pdf of 10 PC and Mac keyboard shortcuts every virtual school student should know for streamlining online schoolwork.
Once your student has become comfortable with the basic keyboard shortcuts, there are many more they can learn to save time and impress their friends in Microsoft Windows and for Apple’s Mac operating systems. Below, we’ve gathered 10 of our favorite keyboard shortcuts for staying organized.
10 Computer Keyboard Shortcuts for Better Organization
1. Win (Windows key) + E
Open File Explorer, a window that shows your frequently used folders, recently used files (and their locations), and a search box.
2. Ctrl + W
Close current window or document.
3. Alt + F4
Close current window or document.
4. Win + D
Minimize all windows open on the desktop. Press again to restore.
5. Ctrl + T
Open a new browser tab.
6. Ctrl + Shift + T
Reopen the most recently closed browser tab.
7. Win + T
Cycle through apps pinned to your task bar.
8. Alt + Tab
Show items open on your desktop and cycle through them. Alt + Shift + Tab will cycle backwards.
9. Alt + Esc
Cycle through open items in the order they were opened.
10. Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow
Move the current window to the other monitor if you have multiple screens.
Sort Online Classes or Projects with Virtual Desktops
The truly busy online student can create one or more virtual desktops on their PC to establish a dedicated space for each class or project. Virtual desktops let you access all the notes, documents, apps, web pages, etc., pertaining to a specific topic or task with one keystroke instead of shuffling through windows to find them. It’s also a good way to separate schoolwork from, say, game or entertainment apps.
Add a virtual desktop to your PC with Win + Ctrl + D. Then switch back and forth between them with Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow. Click the task view icon on your task bar to see your multiple desktops (and hop between them by clicking on them) and what’s open on the one that’s currently active. Here’s how to create virtual desktops on a Mac.
Having the proper tools makes any task easier, but knowing what the proper tools are capable of leads to efficiency. We cited just a few of the many computer keyboard shortcuts available to help make virtual school tasks more efficient. To help your student further increase their computer capabilities and confidence, check out these seven computer skills your child should master by the time he or she starts virtual high school.
read more
