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Ed Tech: Then & Now

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology

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Introduction

As a secondary school teacher I have professional reasons to explore theories and design frameworks of educational technologies and how they can be integrated in real life educational environments where diverse sets of students demand differentiation and school policy makers demand fulfilment of curriculum decisions. However, this particular assignment also has a very personal backdrop, having started a journey of exploring electronics, computing and coding together with my 11 year old son.

My aim in this first assignment is the introduction of the technology my son and I are currently using as a means to learn, and compare this modern technology to an older technology. I will add links to websites and videos, particularly for the current technology, within my brief overview and analysis to provide a more fun way of expanding your knowledge.

I intend to use parts one and two to reflect on my learning experiences and if necessary, describe the technology. In part three the key aim is to juxtapose them to learning theories and frameworks.

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology

Ed Tech: Then & Now

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1.1 Current Technology: Raspberry PiThe current educational technology I would like to discuss is the credit card sized minicomputer Raspberry Pi. This minicomputer is helping my son and I explore Scratch, Turtle Graphics, Python, Sonic Pi, Minecraft Pi etc. It runs on the Linux based Raspbian operating system, which is an OS optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation began in Cambridge (United Kingdom) in 2006 to design a $35 computer that could facilitate computer science and programming learning in schools and create a new generation of university students entering computer science courses with some existing knowledge of programming.

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology

Latest version of Raspberry Pi Model B+

Children and adults can use this computer with the graphical user interface (GUI), but they also learn to use the command-line interface. I really like this, because it falls in line with learning to use programming commands in Scratch and Turtle. Learning these children can move into Python programming language, that is introduced with a small Minecraft project. Alternatively, the Sonic Pi app will let you write electronic music. Users become familiar with many concepts and ideas of the computing world. Finally depending on the scale and scope of the learner, there is a wide range of projects that are worth exploring and replicating … or even inventing one’s own project.

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Simple set-up at my son’s desk: We bought a clear case kit, which allows us to experience the Raspberry Pi’s board visually, whilst working on Projects.

The strongest initial experience I had while starting with the Raspberry Pi was how fast my son understood and memorized the initial commands for the command-line interface. This enabled my son to swop roles and become the teaching peer. We used a projects-based tutorial to guide us along the way, with the initial project goals to familiarize ourselves with Scratch and Turtle Graphics. Our next step is to begin learning Python programming. The Raspberry Pi kept us engaged us in a variety of technological areas: programming, engineering, design. creative thinking, art and design. Although there are project-based goals to achieve, following the tutorial, the Raspberry Pi allows us to think very open-ended, because there are so many complex but enticing projects. For the distant future I particularly like the project building the smartphone PiPhone, which would create a learning journey for my son to understand the design and workings of a piece of technology we use so much every day.

1.2 Current Technology: Raspberry Pi

This self-study journey keeps us motivated, but not enough to have regular weekly sessions. Possibly because there is no pressure to perform or submit our results at specific times. Could is also be the result of the open-ended format? Or would we show more regular engagements if we already had a concrete own project in mind? We have, however, achieved our first learning objectives: to understand what coding actually is, how command lines look like and use them, what an algorithm is. Using this learning technology also enabled us to make the teacher and student roles less rigid, it also enabled to work on common projects as a team, where each member has different levels of proficiency.

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2. Earlier Ed Tech: Self Build PC The earlier technology that I have chosen to contrast the Raspberry Pi with, is still very much alive: the standard current desktop computer, the PC. I hope, I do not have to explain what a PC is and what parts make up the whole.

The ED TECH learning experience which relates well to the Raspberry Pi story is the PC I build from components with the help of two advanced peers. I was initially reluctant to build my own PC and wanted to buy it off the shelf, but my friend luckily persuaded me. It must be noted that at the time of this “learning project” there were no YouTube tutorials and very few websites at all.

Although the main reason may have been to replace an old laptop computer and monetary, it resulted in a very positive learning experience with many unintended developments of skills and knowledge. I learned about the parts that make up a PC and their functions. I learned how these parts are assembled together. I became less fearful to expand or improve my PC with parts and complete minor repairs. The best unintended learning I achieved was that I am now not fearful to open electronic devices and replace broken parts, as with mobile phones.

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology

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3. Raspberry Pi vs. Self-build PC This brief comparative analysis compares and contrasts my experiences using the Raspberry Pi and the Self-build PC from a viewpoint of educational technology.

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology

The Raspberry Pi was developed

specifically as educational technology.

Dedicated learning methodology

follows frameworks of social con-

structivism and constructionism. Ed Tech can be used as an individual with facilitation of learning provided by online tutorials, but mostly learned in school and

It is open-ended EdTech with scope and scale that for a wide range of learners. Initial tutorial projects provide scaffolding for all age group learners. Motivation and engagements is heavily dependent on individual learners as sessions are playful and require creative input.

The Raspberry Pi promotes creative minds to develop their own “products”. I had not had a major impact yet because I am still at the beginning of this journey and not produced a tangible result yet.

The self-build a PC is an unintentional

piece of educational technology.

Unintended learning methodology also

follows social constructivism and constructionism models. Learning required advanced learners or teachers to facilitate learning.

Initially close-ended project, where finished PC is used, but unintended upgrading and small repairs follow-up lead to further independent learning. Not for all age groups and scaffolding depends on teaching peers. Unidirectional structured task that advocates completion in a small number of sessions.

The key achievements: demystification of technology, the “can make / can repair” confidence, have had a lasting effect on my approach to learning about technology because it was one of my first hands-on moments in computing.

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Thank you for reading!All feedback is welcome!

Anil Mull, MITx 11.132x Design and Development of Educational Technology