The micro:bit platform as a project development tool in the Natural Sciences. Suggestions for teaching use


Published: Sep 13, 2024
Keywords:
physical computing BBC Micro:bit project-based learning
Effransia Tzagkaraki
Stamatios Papadakis
Michael Kalogiannakis
Abstract

The present research examines the effect of project-based learning in combination with the BBC Micro:bit on the teaching of electricity and specifically on the operation of a simple electrical circuit for students of the 5th grade. Two projects were created, including listening to music through headphones and constructing a motor-driven mechanism. The results showed that the experimental group, which used the Micro:bit, increased average performance compared to the control group. Also, students' alternative perceptions of electricity were reconstructed, and a positive effect on engagement and interest in electricity was observed. Despite the small difference in performance improvement between the two groups, the present study highlights the need to introduce innovative educational environments with appropriate tools and modern teaching strategies.

Article Details
  • Section
  • ORAL PRESENTASIONS
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Κώτσης, Κ., Αποστολάκης, Ε., Γκικοπούλου, Ο., Μιτζήθρας, Κ., & Πατρινόπουλος, Μ. (2021α). Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών Φυσικά Δημοτικoύ. Αθήνα: Ινστιτούτο Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής.
Κώτσης, Κ., Αποστολάκης, Ε., Γκικοπούλου, Ο., Μιτζήθρας, Κ., & Πατρινόπουλος, Μ. (2021β). Οδηγός εκπαιδευτικού Φυσικά Δημοτικoύ. (2η Έκδοση). Αθήνα: Ινστιτούτο Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής.
Τζαγκαράκη, Ε., Παπαδάκης, Στ., & Καλογιαννάκης, Μ. (2022). Η Πλακέτα BBC Micro:bit ως Εκπαιδευτικό Εργαλείο. Μια Πιλοτική Εφαρμογή για τα Φυσικά Ε΄ Δημοτικού. Στο Ν. Αλεξανδρής, Χ. Δουληγέρης, Ι. Καρύδης, Σπ. Δουκάκης, Β. Μπελεσιώτης, & Θ. Καρβουνίδης (Επιμ.), Πρακτικά 14th Conference on Informatics in Education - Η Πληροφορική στην εκπαίδευση (14th CIE 2020), 281-291, Διαδικτυακά, 4-6 Νοεμβρίου 2022.
Ariza, J. Á., & Baez, H. (2022). Understanding the role of single-board computers in engineering and computer science education: A systematic literature review. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22439
Cederqvist, A.M. (2020a). Pupils’ ways of understanding programmed technological solutions when analysing structure and function. Educ Inf Technol, 25, 1039–1065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10006-4
Hodges, S., Sentance, S., Finney, J., & Ball, T. (2020). Physical Computing: A Key Element of Modern Computer Science Education. Computer, 53, 20-30.
Jelovica, L., Erceg, N., Mešić, V., & Aviani, I. (2024). Students’ understanding of microscopic models of electrical and thermal conductivity: Findings within the development of a multiple-choice concept inventory. Education Sciences, 14(3), 275. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030275
Kalogiannakis, Μ. Tzagkaraki, E., & Papadakis, St. (2021). A Systematic Review of the Use of BBC Micro:bit in Primary School. In Proceedings of the 10th Virtual Edition of the International Conference New Perspectives in Science Education, 18-19, 379-384. https://doi.org/10.26352/F318_2384-9509
Kanaki, K., Kalogiannakis, M., Poulakis, E., & Politis, P. (2022). Investigating the Association between Algorithmic Thinking and Performance in Environmental Study, Sustainability 2022, 14, 10672, https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710672
Krnaáč, R., Cápay, M., & Koprda, Š. (2020). Education with physical device BBC micro:bit. In 2020 18th International Conference on Emerging eLearning Technologies and Applications (ICETA) (pp. 352-357). Košice, Slovenia. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICETA51985.2020.9379166
Kastner-Hauler, O., Tengler, K., Sabitzer, B. & Lavicza, Z., (2022). Combined Effects of Block-Based Programming and Physical Computing on Primary Students' Computational Thinking Skills. Front. Psychol. 13, 875382. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.875382
Katterfeldt, E. S., Cukurova, M., Spikol, D., & Cuartielles, D. (2018). Physical computing with plug-and-play toolkits: Key recommendations for collaborative learning implementations. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 17, 72-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2018.03.002
Kwon, K., Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A.T., Brush, T.A., Jeon, M., & Yan, G. (2021). Integration of problem-based learning in elementary computer science education: effects on computational thinking and attitudes. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69, 2761 – 2787, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10034-3
Papadakis, S., Tzagkaraki, E., Kalogiannakis, M. (2024). Teaching Electricity Topics with Project-Based Learning and Physical Computing to Enhance Primary School Students in Science Education. An Educational Experiment with BBC Micro:bit Board. In: Auer, M.E., Cukierman, U.R., Vendrell Vidal, E., Tovar Caro, E. (eds) Towards a Hybrid, Flexible and Socially Engaged Higher Education. ICL 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 900. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52667-1_31
Petousi, V., & Sifaki, E. (2020). Contextualizing harm in the framework of research misconduct. Findings from a discourse analysis of scientific publications, International Journal of Sustainable Development, 23(3/4), 149-174, https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSD.2020.10037655
Sáez-López, J., Román-González, M., & Vázquez-Cano, E. (2016). Visual programming languages integrated across the curriculum in elementary school: A two year case study using “Scratch” in five schools. Computers & Education, 97, 129-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.03.003
Salam, S. (2022). A systemic review of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Computational Thinking (CT) in teaching and learning. International Journal of Humanities and Innovation (IJHI), 5(2), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.33750/ijhi.v5i2.145
Tzagkaraki, E., Papadakis, St., & Kalogiannakis, Μ. (2021). Exploring the Use of Educational Robotics in primary school and its possible place in the curricula. In M. Malvezzi, D. Alimisis, & M. Moro (Eds). Education in & with Robotics to Foster 21st Century Skills. Proceedings of EDUROBOTICS 2020, Online Conference February 25-26, 2021, 216-229, Switzerland, Cham: Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77022-8_19
Tzagaraki, E., Papadakis, S., & Kalogiannakis, M. (2022). Teachers’ attitudes on the use of educational robotics in primary school. In S. Papadakis & M. Kalogiannakis (Eds.), STEM, robotics, mobile apps in early childhood and primary education: Technology to promote teaching and learning (pp. 257-283). Switzerland, Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0568-1_13