Möbius in Maker Activities
What & How Exactly are Kids Learning in Making?
Möbius is an ongoing research study that is being done to determine how different making strategies influence science and engineering learning and explore how the findings can be used to design and facilitate better instruction and/or scaffolding in the making environment.
This research would like to find out what exactly kids are learning in maker education and what is being done in different cities (Hong Kong, Shenzhen, New York) and in different languages (Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, English).
People
Gizmo Edtech Lab, Columbia University’s Teachers College
Gizmo Lab is a research group that examines how technological artifacts (Pedagogical Agents, Robotics, VR, LMS) intersects with learning, instruction, and assessment in STEAM areas.
Summary
This pilot study explored the potential gender gap in understanding, self-efficacy, and motivation while engaging in different making procedures (Assemble or Dismantle). A gender gap was seen in the Assemble activity, whereas the Dismantle activity may be more compatible with high school/college female students when developing understanding, voicing challenges, contemplating interests, self-efficacy, and motivation. Male students in the Dismantle group showed a decrease in self-efficacy and motivation.
Goals
What do students understand and find challenging while they assemble or dismantle robotic gear?
How does the experience of assembling or dismantling a robotic gear influence self-efficacy and motivation in science and engineering interests/learning?
Are there any gender differences when students engage in different making activities?
Impact
Assemble First
sustain male students’ self-efficacy and motivation while not losing their rich remarks in understanding the mechanism
Dismantle First
female students to be more comfortable voicing their challenges and fostering higher self-efficacy and motivation.
This exploratory study offers important guidance for educators when designing maker activities. Educators may want to consider implementing different making procedures to bridge the gender gap, help students voice challenges, foster in-depth understanding and develop higher self-efficacy and motivation.
My Role
Research Assistant
Data collection - ran the experimental study and conducted interviews and data analysis using SPSS and R.
Video recording for the experimental process with DJI cameras
Participant recruitment
Translation of the IRB documents, surveys and interview questions
Skills
Mix-Method Research (Experimental Design, Clinical Cognitive Interview) | Quantitative Data Analysis (SPSS, R) | Content Translation
To comply with my non-disclosure agreement, I have omitted and obfuscated confidential information in this case study. All information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Gizmo Edtech Lab.