Education Advantage helps schools turn coding, robotics, 3D printing and mixed reality into purposeful learning through thoughtful planning, teacher support and dependable technical foundations.
Begin with what students should understand or be able to do by the end of the lesson. Then identify what the technology adds: a measurement they could not otherwise collect, a way to test several designs, feedback that helps them debug an idea, or an accessible way to participate and show their thinking.
For example, students investigating a hot school playground might use temperature sensors to compare shaded and exposed surfaces over time. The equipment earns its place when students use the readings to explain patterns and recommend a change. A digital display alone adds little if students never interpret the data. In a bridge-building activity, cardboard prototypes might let a class test and revise ideas more readily than waiting for every design to be 3D printed.
Before committing to a tool, work through five questions:
Schools can begin coding with devices they already own. Established options include Scratch, Microsoft MakeCode and the tools at Code.org, alongside editors that help students move into Python or Swift. The choices below have free coding environments; hardware, optional services and school device management may still carry costs.
| Tool | Supports | Useful starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch | Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Block coding for interactive stories, animations and games. Useful for exploring sequencing, loops, events and debugging through creative projects. [1] |
| Microsoft MakeCode | Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Block coding with a route into text coding. MakeCode for micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade include simulators, so students can begin before buying physical hardware. [2] |
| Code.org coding labs | Mac, Windows and Chromebook; iPad support depends on the course and requires a supported OS, external keyboard and mouse or trackpad for supported secondary courses. [3] | Guided learning and open-ended projects. App Lab and Game Lab offer opportunities to build apps, games and animations using blocks and JavaScript. [4] |
| Raspberry Pi Foundation Code Editor | Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | An accessible starting point for Python and web projects with HTML and CSS. It runs in a browser and does not require a Raspberry Pi computer. [5] |
| Thonny | Mac, Windows | A beginner-focused Python editor with tools for stepping through code and examining variables. A useful option for local Python work on Mac or Windows. [6] |
| Swift Playgrounds | Mac, iPad | Guided learning with Swift and a pathway into building apps with SwiftUI. Also available on iPad. [7] |
For a mixed fleet, a browser tool gives the class a common starting point. Scratch suits creative block coding; MakeCode connects well with physical computing; a browser-based Python editor can support the next step into text coding. On Mac or Windows, Thonny offers a local Python environment. Swift Playgrounds provides an additional pathway for schools using Mac or iPad.
Plan how students will save, reopen and submit work before the first lesson. Check account requirements, age conditions, sharing settings and the school's privacy and app approval processes. Where a tool stores work in the browser, establish an export or saving routine so projects are not lost when devices are reset or browser data is cleared.
Finally, test the chosen activity while signed in as a student on a managed school device. Confirm that the browser requirements for Scratch or the network and device requirements for Code.org are met, and check any USB or Bluetooth connection with the actual hardware. A tool working on a teacher's laptop is a useful first check; a successful student trial is what makes it ready for class.
Readiness depends on both the equipment and the routines around it. A teacher should be able to collect a complete kit, start the activity and return it without having to solve yesterday's problems.
Lockable charging trolleys, powered cabinets and compatible multi-device charging stations can give equipment a consistent home. Choose a unit that fits the actual robots, controllers, headsets or computers, including their cases and power supplies. Check charging connections, power capacity, ventilation and access to cables. For example, PC Locs Revolution charging cabinets have removable dividers so their shelves can accommodate suitable STEM equipment; dimensions and charging arrangements still need checking against the school's kit. [8]
For equipment shared across several learning areas, a booking calendar helps staff plan access. Allow time between bookings for charging, resetting and checking contents. Larger loan programs may benefit from charging lockers with controlled access and borrowing records, provided the ongoing software costs and administration are justified.
Start with an asset register that staff can maintain. Give each valuable item a durable school asset label and record its serial number, purchase date, warranty, usual storage location and responsible team. Link the main item to its accessories so a returned headset or robot is checked as a complete kit.
Barcode or QR labels can make borrowing quicker when linked to a school-approved asset or library system. Record the borrower, destination, due date and condition on return. The label identifies an item; it does not report its location automatically. Check the physical collection against the register at agreed intervals and follow up missing equipment promptly.
Store portable equipment in locked rooms, cabinets or trolleys with controlled key or code access. Use suitable locks or anchoring for fixed equipment where practical, and protective cases for transport. Equipment taken off site needs a clear borrowing arrangement, a return date and confirmation of the school's insurance cover.
Management software can add recovery options for supported devices. Apple's Managed Lost Mode can lock and request the location of a supervised iPad. [12] Google Admin can disable a lost or stolen managed Chromebook, subject to the required configuration and the device connecting to the internet. [11] Features differ by platform, enrolment and connectivity, so ask ICT staff to confirm what is available before equipment goes missing.
At Education Advantage we are here to help schools make good on their STEM ambitions with a program suited to the realities of the classroom. We look at the whole picture – curriculum, infrastructure, safety, support and the capability of the staff – to ensure technology is put to purposeful use and does not end up gathering dust in a cupboard.
First we get to grips with what a school already has and how it is being used, and where the gaps are. This means looking at everything from curriculum and timetabling to the confidence of teachers, the cost of consumables and the state of the facilities. From that we can offer a clear perspective on what to trial, what to improve and what to let go.
Our work with learning leaders and teachers is to see that STEM tools are in service of the lesson, not the other way round. We do not want a class to become a mere showcase for the technology. In unit planning, assessment and cross-curricular projects we ensure there is age-appropriate progression and worthwhile work for the student.
A full commitment is not always called for at the outset. We can set up a modest trial with defined objectives and see how it goes before the school makes a decision to scale up. And when it comes time to procure, we will compare options on more than just the sticker price; we look at durability, compatibility, whole-of-life cost and how practical it is for the classroom.
Through workshops and model lessons we build practical confidence in educators. The support is tailored to the school’s starting point and equipment. We are not interested in running through every feature of a system; our focus is on the routines and decisions required to deliver a strong learning experience for the students in front of them.
STEM gear can be spread over a number of systems. We can take care of the networks, accounts, filtering, updates and device readiness. For 3D printers and robotics we also help plan for the maintenance and safe use between sessions so things are ready to go.
No sustainable program should be dependent on one person or an outside provider. We work with schools to foster shared ownership via teacher champions and straightforward documentation. It is about having the right escalation paths and repeatable processes in place so that momentum is kept even if priorities or staff change.
If your school has invested in STEM equipment that is not being used as well as it could be, or you are considering what to introduce next, Education Advantage can help turn the technology into a clearer learning plan.
Get in touchYes. We begin with year levels, curriculum goals, teacher capability, student needs, technical readiness and budget. We can then help compare suitable options and decide whether a trial, smaller shared collection or broader program makes sense.
Yes. Many schools already have robotics kits, printers, devices or headsets that are used inconsistently. We can review what is in place, identify the barriers, support teachers and technical staff, and develop practical learning and support routines around the existing investment.
Yes. We can provide focused workshops, curriculum planning, model lessons, coaching and follow-up. The support can be tailored to different year levels, learning areas, platforms and confidence levels.
Yes. We can help define the learning purpose, select a manageable cohort, prepare devices and content, plan supervision and hygiene, consider accessibility alternatives, support teachers, and review whether the experience offered enough value to continue.
Yes. Education Advantage can help schools explore coding and app development with iPad and Mac, including Swift Playgrounds and relevant Apple learning resources. We can also support the device management, app deployment and professional learning needed around the classroom program.
No. Apple is an important part of our work, but we start with the school's learning goals and existing environment. We can support a range of coding, robotics, design, fabrication and mixed reality tools, including mixed-platform programs.
Australian schools are moving from broad technology access to more intentional, evidence-aware use. Education Advantage helps schools make technology purposeful: clear in its learning role, manageable for teachers and ICT teams, safe for students, and explainable to families.
From 2027, Victorian government primary schools will need to limit digital device use in Foundation to Year 6, with the tightest limits in the early years. Less screen time does not always mean less technology work. Shared devices still need charging, updates, filtering, storage, repairs and clear booking processes.
[1] Scratch Foundation (n.d.) Scratch. Available at: https://www.scratchfoundation.org/home (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [2] Microsoft (n.d.) About Microsoft MakeCode. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode/about (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [3] Code.org (n.d.) Technical requirements. Available at: https://code.org/en-US/about/it-requirements (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [4] CodeAI (n.d.) Free K–12 curriculum for digital fluency. Available at: https://code.org/en-US (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [5] Raspberry Pi Foundation (n.d.) How to mentor at a Code Club: Our Code Editor. Available at: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/club-mentoring/8 (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [6] Thonny contributors (n.d.) Thonny: Python IDE for beginners. Available at: https://thonny.org/ (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [7] Apple (n.d.) Swift Playgrounds. Available at: https://www.apple.com/au/swift/playgrounds/ (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [8] PC Locs (n.d.) Revolution 32 Charging Cabinet. Available at: https://www.pclocs.com.au/charging-stations/revolution-charging-cabinets (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [9] Jamf (n.d.) Jamf School. Available at: https://www.jamf.com/products/jamf-school/ (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [10] Microsoft (n.d.) What is Microsoft Intune?. Available at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/intune/fundamentals/what-is-intune (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [11] Google (n.d.) Repair, repurpose, or retire ChromeOS devices. Available at: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/3523633?hl=en (Accessed: 23 October 2026). [12] Apple (2024) Managed Lost Mode and remote wipe. Available at: https://support.apple.com/guide/security/managed-lost-mode-and-remote-wipe-secc46f3562c/web (Accessed: 23 October 2026).
