Blog 6 - Constructionism & maker movement - micro:bit

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The maker movement has been recognized as a significant advancement in K-12 education, higher education, and libraries for the last three years, according to the New Media Consortium Horizon Report (Irie et al., 2019). As Schad & Jones (2020) claims the maker movement is a community that goes beyond the traditional DIY culture. It is a group of individuals who are dedicated to designing and producing a wide range of physical and digital artifacts. The movement is not just about expressing one's creativity through the creation of objects, but it is also about collaborating with others to bring innovative ideas to life. The maker movement has captured the attention of many due to its promising ability to eliminate obstacles in STEM education and achievement. This movement is distinguished by its practical approach, involving the use of tangible materials such as cardboard and wood, as well as digital components like 3D printing. As a result, educators are eager to incorporate the maker movement into their curriculum as an effective way to promote STEM learning among children (Tan & Schenkel, 2018).

Incorporating the maker movement in the classroom can yield numerous advantages. Learners will be thrilled to attend their classes, and more eager to acquire knowledge, and their self-confidence will also witness a boost.

Activity on tutorial

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Introducing the micro:bit - a revolutionary technology that seamlessly integrates software and hardware to provide students with an immersive learning experience. Boasting an impressive LED light display, tactile buttons, and advanced sensors, this device is equipped with a plethora of input/output features that, when programmed, enable it to interact with students. The integration of micro:bit in the classroom setting serves as a catalyst for students to actively engage in the digital world, thereby stimulating their creativity and innovation. This, in turn, fosters the development of their design thinking skills, which are essential in today's fast-paced and technology-driven world. This technology would be suitable for a Stage 4 science class.

my micro:bit work

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Limitations

The technology may pose certain limitations that could potentially consume a considerable amount of time and prove to be somewhat perplexing and intricate for students.

Reference

Irie, Hsu, Y.-C., & Ching, Y.-H. (2019). Makerspaces in Diverse Places: A Comparative Analysis of Distinctive National Discourses Surrounding the Maker Movement and Education in Four Countries. TechTrends, 63(4), 397–407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0355-9

Schad, & Jones, W. M. (2020). The Maker Movement and Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 52(1), 65–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2019.1688739

Tan, Barton, A. C., & Schenkel, K. (2018). Equity and the Maker Movement: Integrating children’s communities and social networks into making.(Methods. & Strategies: Ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching). Science and Children, 55(7), 76–.