WK 12: Constructionsim and the Maker Movement

Constructionism derives from Piaget’s theory of constructivism where the most effective learning combines the environment, materials and a sense of collaboration (Morado, Melo & Jarman, 2021). It is an alternative teaching methodology where the students are placed in the centre which allows them to go through a more personalised and hands-on learning experience within a…

WK 11: Robotics: Jimu or Bee Bot?

Robots are not just limited to possible destruction of the world and the encouragement of AI technology. Robotics could be implemented within the classroom to assist in the fostering of student creativity. Educational robotics refers to robotic technologies that can be integrated into the classroom where it can be used to help with communication and…

WK 10: Gaming and Learning

Anyone who makes a distinction between games and learning clearly does not know the first thing about either one” Marshall McLuhan as cited Becker, 2009 Games, in particular digital games have been shown through research that it holds many benefits to increasing student engagement, interaction and cognitive skills. According to Granic et al., (2014) there…

WK 6: Virtual Reality – CoSpace & Google Cardboard;

What if there was a way to fully immerse yourself into a world that was either not reachable through travel or doesn’t exist? Virtual reality (VR) technology manipulates the virtual space in order to create a real life experience with the use of visual, auditory and sometimes sensory output devices (Makransky, Petersen & Klingenberg, 2020).…

WK 5: AR Technology: Merge Cube

“A key part of that journey is making an open platform where any developer can create anything they want.” Mark Zuckerberg Augmented Reality (AR) technology refers to systems that allow virtual and real worlds to coexist and interact in real time (Azuma, 1997 as cited in Bower et al., 2014). Although AR technology relies on…

WK 4: Computational Thinking: Microbit

Computational thinking (CT) is beginning to become a necessary skill to survive within the 21st Century. Wing (2006) argued that CT refers to understanding human behaviour and solving problems by drawing upon the fundamental concepts to computer science emphasizing the idea that it is not about operating like a machine, but how exactly can humans…

WK 3: Design Based Thinking

Design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works. Steve Jobs The process of design thinking can be broken down into five stages (IDEO, 2013): Discovery Interpretation Ideation Experimentation Evolution However design thinking isn’t a linear process, but instead more so reflects a tangled ball of yarn that needs…

Task 1: 3D Pens within the classroom

” What underpins the successful integration of technology is not only the design of the technology, but also the teachers’ level of technological and pedagogical expertise in terms of helping their students learn. “ Ng & Chan, 2020 Meet Scribbler. A 3D printing pen that can create a tangible mass by melting a filament and…