Collaborative and constructivist technologies play a big role in supporting learning by enabling students to share and exchange their own ideas and creations. Constructivist approach is a theory first developed by Jean Piaget, constructionism affirms that knowledge is best gained through a process of action, reflection, and construction. “Constructionism brings creativity, tinkering, exploring, building, and presentation to the forefront of the learning process” (Donaldson, 2014).
Constructionism and collaborative learning can be achieved, through many new emerging technologies. BBC micro: bit is a programmable computer like device, which was originally introduced for educational purposes. Micro bit is a pedagogical approach to STEM education, which allows students to learn basic coding, programming and problem-solving skills, and sparks creativity (Videnovik et al., 2018).
Using Micro bit as learning tool, effectively fosters creativity as the options of what students can create and invent is endless. BBC micro bit can be used to teach various STEM subjects like science, technology, mathematics, coding, and engineering. In a science lesson students can be given the project to design a machine that measure the moisture level of soil and dispense the water appropriately. The students use the program ‘Microsoft Make Code’, to program their micro bit, to operate the way they want it to. This project aligns with the science and technology syllabus as it covers the content strands of living world and digital technologies (Science & technology NESA, 2017).
As seen in the examples below, the teacher can use micro bit to cover various contents from various subject syllabuses, the possibilities are endless. Students can use micro bit to creatively invent and program things like a watering system, an operating scarecrow and a smart house with many technological features which are coded using micro bit etc.
There are certainly limitations when using micro bit in the classroom. The coding can be very complicated and confusing for both teachers and students. Especially since many teachers have not been introduced to this new technology before. As a consequence, teachers may avoid utilising these new technologies because of their lack of experience and confidence. If the students are not provided with adequate resources and support to do the coding, they may lose interest and motivation because they find it too complicated.
Djoumana Aoun
Reference List:
Donaldson, J. (2014). The Maker Movement and the rebirth of Constructionism. Hybrid Pedagogy. https://hybridpedagogy.org/constructionism-reborn/
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) (2017). Science K-6. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/ learning-areas/science/science-and-technology-k-6-new-syllabus
Videnovik, M., Zdravevski, E., Lameski, P., & Trajkovik, V. (2018). The BBC Micro:bit in the international classroom: Learning experiences and first impressions. 2018 17th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training (ITHET). https://doi.org/10.1109/ithet.2018.8424786
Hello Djoumana, fantastic blog about constructionism and micro:bit!
I really enjoyed viewing your blog as it was engaging, written in a clear structured manner and is visually appealing. You have provided a thorough explanation on how constructionism benefits student learning and how the micro:bit tool reflects the notion of constructionism. I like how how you included images of the different products created in the Educ3620 tutorial using the micro:bit and your links to different KLA's is great for teacher lesson plans! You have explicitly stated how the micro:bit can be used to teach STEM subjects and have linked it to specific curriculum outcomes which is great for teacher lesson plans.
I would have liked to see a video of you…
Hi Djoumana!
Your blog post was really impressive and interesting to read. I definitely agree with your point of how students can loose motivation and interest due to the complexity of coding which is why i think it is essential for teachers to receive adequate training before implementing certain technologies such as microbit in their class, so that they can effectively teach students how to use it. I also think that if students loose interest and motivation this will effect fostering their creativity as they wouldn't be interested in working with the product due to not knowing how to use it.
-Souraya Fadda
Hi Djoumana. I also think working with a device like MicroBit can be excellent for fostering Creativity, as Constructionism recommends. I haven't considered coding a limitation for the teacher, but with what you point, I think it could be. The fact that it is possible to program the MicroBit with any coding language makes it excellent for improving students' skills throughout their elementary and secondary studies. In this line, I think that a limitation of MIcroBit could be that it would be too simple for people with more experience in coding and electronics. Lastly, I must add that this type of tool results excellent for working under Project Based learning, for it can function as a unifying tool for other…