Two major research questions drove the study: (a) would the design and construction of an automaton help students remember how the mechanism worked at a later date and (b) were there any gender differences in students’ response to this project? The study involved 74 pupils, and data were collected through observations of the pupils during their five technology periods and from a questionnaire administered after the project had been marked, six months later. The project presented the students with a context through which to learn and apply the scientific principles of movement. The purpose of the study was to investigate the use of automata (mechanical toys) as part of the New Zealand technology education curriculum, with Year 7 and 8 students (11-12 year-olds). There is evidence that design challenges in construction in schools can improve students’ later engagement
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |