Micro:bit computers in the classroom have motivated students, improved their knowledge and understanding of the subject and inspired them to engage in a project aimed at protection and promotion of cultural heritage
The students of the school ‘Ali Laçej’ from Shkodër, one of the oldest Albanian towns with rich cultural and historical heritage, have succeeded in raising the awareness in the community on the need to conserve and protect cultural heritage by their project.
It all started when micro:bit devices, used for coding under the 21st Century Schools programme, arrived in the school classrooms. These pocket-size computers have not only enhanced the knowledge of students and their understanding of the subject, but coding on the micro:bits also motivated students to implement a project of a broader societal relevance.
The project implemented by this school using the micro:bit was focused on the “Cultural Heritage”. The purpose of the project was to promote cultural values of the town and raise awareness on how such values were to be conserved and properly maintained. Micro:bit devices were used to disseminate messages on the conservation of cultural monuments. The outcomes were quite positive and the project itself affected the community by involving many individuals into this initiative launched by the students.
Despite the lack of labs and ICT infrastructure, teachers of this school had decided to include the micro:bit into every subject so as to facilitate interaction among students and enable their active participation.
21st Century Schools Programme is a three-year GBP 10 million- worth education programme, implemented by the British Council and funded by the UK Government. The Programme aims to develop 21st century core skills to over one million primary school students aged 10 to 15 across the Western Balkans countries.