Changes: Added a reference and fixed grammar
Students have the opportunity to learn digital technology concepts and consolidate their understanding of other subjects through actualising their ingenuity and consolidated knowledge by creating solutions to solve realistic problems.
The Maker Movement, grounded by Vygotsky and Piaget’s research, encourage students to collaborate, think critically, and construct ideas while experimenting with tools and concepts to create something practical (Halverson & Sheridan, 2014).
The scientific design concepts, which are not only limited to STEM subjects, of planning, testing and reevaluating ideas are utilised so students can identify problems while creating practical solutions to problems. Through this movement and constructivism pedagogy, students can create practical work while demonstrating their understanding of knowledge (Dougherty, 2012).
Microbits, MakeCode and Creativity
MakeCodes and Microbits are practical tools to enhance design thinking as students utilise block coding to correctly create a command. With this, students can improve their creative thinking by identifying how inputs and experimenting with different blocks can create the desired outcome when creating a realistic solution to an inquiry.
This program greatly enhances students’ creativity as they must create a design while considering how factors may impact outcomes, including properties of materials, complexity and physical limitations (Voštinár & Knežník, 2020). This is effective for Science and Technology outcomes ST3-7MW-T and ST3-2DP-T, respectively, as students must determine the use of properties to solve a problem by transmitting data into physical machinery to complete the objective (NSW Education Standards Authority, 2017).
For example, below is my product to solve the inquiry of creating a watering system that automatically detects moisture and releases water into the soil. With this, my partner and I creatively constructed a design that can trap water while designing a code seen to the left that automatically releases water flow. CC BY 2.0 JEREMY SEGAL This product utilised creativity as we discussed the best functionality, stability and aesthetic design with limited objects and knowledge available.
Pedagogy limitations
Although utilising MakeCode is an effective tool to consolidate learning, fully understanding the nuances of coding and hardware systems like Microbits when using constructionism can be confusing for students. This is due to the complex and technical terminology, which can cause distress and may prevent the outcomes of the lesson. Furthermore, utilising MakeCode and Microbits would take time and many lessons for students to understand before solving problems due to the practice and step-by-step instructions required (Žanko et al., 2022). References Dougherty, D. (2012). The maker movement. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, 7(3), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1162/inov_a_00135 Halverson, E. R., & Sheridan, K. (2014). The maker movement in education. Harvard Educational Review, 84(4), 495–504. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.84.4.34j1g68140382063 Lu, S.-Y., Wu, C.-L., & Huang, Y.-M. (2022). Evaluation of disabled STEAM students’ education learning outcomes and creativity under the UN sustainable development goal: Project-Based learning oriented STEAM curriculum with micro:bit. Sustainability, 14(2), 679. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020679 NSW Education Standards Authority. (2017). Science and technology K-6: syllabus. NSW Education Standards Authority. Voštinár, P., & Knežník, J. (2020). Experience with teaching with BBC micro:bit. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 1(1), 1306–1310. Žanko, Ž., Mladenović, M., & Krpan, D. (2022). Mediated transfer: Impact on programming misconceptions. Journal of Computers in Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-022-00225-z
Hi Jeremy,
Absolutely loved your blog. Really impressed by the amount of references you included, definitely shows you did extensive research and have great supporting evidence to back up all the points you made.Really like how you invalided a limitations section to the technology because as future teachers I think that it is good to also acknowledge the negatives to anything we use or do in the classroom. Really loved all the photos and videos you included in the blog, and especially love how you included a tutorial video from class from your own channel on YouTube. Overall really enjoyed reading this blog post.
Shira Charif
Hi Jeremy,
I really enjoyed reading your blog, very thought out and well organized. Your introduction by explaining what Constructivism is was a great way for readers to understand the meaning behind the concept and then to follow along with your chosen technology. I appreciate the attention to detail in the explanation of Make Code, it was easy to follow and understand. There were clear examples provided through your images and your points linked to the NSW Science and Technology syllabus.
I think its important to also consider the amount of time it will take students to learn how to use the device and possibly how many lessons it may take to learn.
Great blog overall!
Madeline Hulme
12/04/23
Hi Jeremy,
I really enjoyed reading your blog on Constructionism and the Maker Movement, it is clearly very well researched and it is also very easy to follow. Your definition of Constructivism and the Maker Movement was really great in setting up the rest of your blog to explain how the implementation of them in education fosters students' creativity and aid in enhancing their learning. Your explanation of how Micro:bit and MakeCode foster creativity and support the Constructionism and the Maker Movement was really effective in providing reasons why these technologies should be used in the classroom. This was further backed up by your example activity that was linked to the NSW syllabus and that shows an example of where…
Hello Jeremy,
I really enjoyed your blog. The layout was very well structured and was easy to navigate. I liked your definition of what constructivism means. The video you provided was very helpful to understand the topic better. I liked how you gave your list of benefit and examples of Microbits and linked all your points to the NSW syllabus outcome. You provided clear examples through your images to show how it is used. I also really enjoyed reading your pedagogies implications. I completely agree that microbits is an effective tool for students. You have shown some evidence of how this technology has limits. Well done with the blog!
Mariam Haideri (47084634) - 12/04/2023
Hi Jeremy!
I really did enjoy reading your blog on the Maker Movement! You structure make is clear to read and your points well highlighted.
Your example video using the Micro:Bit technology in combination with physical components was super clear and well articulated, and would be an amazing example to use in a classroom setting. You design was also not what I expected and was through intrigued by how it works.
I agree with your points on pedagogical implications, as with all technologies there is a learning curve and accessibility, especially with such a complicated technology such as coding, while it may have Block-Code structure, can still take students a considerate amount of time to learn, and should always be…