An exploratory study on critical aspects when designing technological solutions with the BBC Micro:bit

• The design of programmed technological solutions (PTS) with programming materials, is a way for developing pupils' technological knowledge related to PTS. However, we know little of what pupils experience from these activities. The aim of this phenomenographic study is to explore what phenomena are in focus and discerned differently when pupils are designing a PTS with the BBC Micro:bit; and to identify necessary knowledge in terms of critical aspects. Data consists of sketches, interviews and video-recordings when pupils, aged 10 and 14, are designing a burglar alarm. The result shows that pupils are struggling with two intertwined phenomena; the dual nature of the PTS, and the BBC Micro:bit material. Critical to discern is what components to use, based on their function, and how to organize them to interact with a code in terms of feedback control. This is interrelated with the programming of conditional statements, and to combine these in terms of blocks, where to discern what the blocks represent, to find them in the editor, and to understand their shape. The results have implications for teaching, suggesting a need to address the interrelated phenomena and facilitate discernment of critical aspects, for developing conceptual and procedural knowledge related to PTS.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Didaktik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Didactics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Technology education

Primary pupils

Programming materials

BBC Micro:bit

Phenomenography

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)