Introducing Maker Movement in Educational Robotics: Beyond Prefabricated Robots and “Black Boxes”

Abstract

Nowadays, several studies assure that digital fabrication and making technologies, if coupled with proper learning methodologies such as constructivism and constructionism, can provide learning experiences that promote young people’s creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills – the essential skills necessary in the workplace of the twenty-first century. Robotic technologies combined with digital fabrication and DIY electronics emerge as unique making tools that can create a learning environment attracting and keeping learners interested and motivated with hands-on, fun learning activities. The “maker movement” is seen as an inspiring and creative way for youth to deal with our world and able to develop technological interest and competences. However, in the field of educational robotics, the focus is often on prefabricated robots and ready-made code to program behaviours for the robots. This way, robotics is conceived as “black box” for children who are invited to play or interact with a robot without understanding “what’s inside” and how it works. The project eCraft2Learn researched, designed, piloted and evaluated an ecosystem intended to introduce digital fabrication and maker movement in formal and informal education, to make robots transparent for children and finally to help them make their own robotic artefacts.