ChangeMaker K12: A Digital Platform for Supporting Elementary Preservice Teachers in Teaching Engineering and Human-centered Design

本项目旨在通过设计、开发和采用一个支持有效的儿童工程设计教学的数字平台，改善本科职前教师的准备，为国家利益服务。该项目旨在通过40名职前教师（PSTs）的参与，创建和测试在线教学平台ChangeMaker K-12，他们将在五个学期内协助开发和试点教材。ChangeMaker K-12将被设计为一个平台，为pst和小学生提供高质量的工程和以人为本的设计学习机会。最终，该项目旨在提供一个免费的网站，其中包含材料和指导步骤，以支持pst和小学学生的创新习惯和解决问题的过程。这些材料对课堂、非正式教育环境和家庭中的学生都是有用的。对于设计过程的每个阶段，该平台都将提供循序渐进的协议，并配有内置视频和游戏，以帮助用户忠实地参与设计思维。这个以设计为基础的研究项目旨在通过设计、开发和采用一个免费的在线平台，支持有效的工程设计和以人为本的设计教学，使本科K-5 pst能够自信地让K-5学生参与工程过程。该项目有四个主要特点。首先是PSTs尽早并持续地参与基于设计的研究周期。第二个是为采用和传播而设计的平台。第三是在本科教师培训项目和高贫困低绩效学校中对该平台的测试。第四是向路易斯安那州的教师培训项目和专业组织传播。一个迭代设计过程将用于开发材料和支持，这些材料和支持将通过ChangeMaker K-12平台提供。这些资源将被设计用来支持职前教师的学习和经验，通过从业者的探究来解决现实世界的问题。让小学生参与工程和以人为本的设计的资源和支持是平台战略的核心。该项目打算与社区合作伙伴分享材料和项目发现，包括六个公立学校系统、阿卡迪亚男女俱乐部和阿卡迪亚联合之路。材料和发现的传播也将包括路易斯安那州的同行教师培训项目，并通过专注于教育技术和教师培训的专业组织。NSF IUSE: EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过其参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。Robert Noyce教师奖学金（Noyce）计划为IUSE: EHR项目提供联合资金，以支持该项目的职前教师准备目标，该目标与Noyce计划目标非常一致。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving the preparation of undergraduate pre-service teachers through the design, development, and adoption of a digital platform that supports effective teaching of engineering design to children. The project intends to create and test the online teaching and learning platform, ChangeMaker K-12, through engagement of 40 pre-service teachers (PSTs) who will assist in the development and piloting of the materials over five semesters. ChangeMaker K-12 will be designed as a platform for delivering high quality learning opportunities in engineering and human-centered design for PSTs and elementary school children. Ultimately, the project aims to provide a free website with materials and guiding steps to support innovative habits and problem-solving processes in PSTs and in elementary aged students. These materials are meant to be useful to students in classrooms, informal education settings, and homes. For each phase of the process, the platform will provide step-by-step protocols, with built-in videos and games that assist in engaging in design thinking with fidelity. This design-based-research project aims to empower undergraduate K-5 PSTs to confidently engage K-5 students in engineering processes through the design, development, and adoption of a free online platform with resources that support effective teaching of engineering design and human-centered design accessible to marginalized youth. The project has four key features. First is early and continuous involvement of PSTs in design-based research cycle. Second is a platform designed for adoption and propagation. Third is the testing of the platform in both an undergraduate teacher preparation program and high poverty low performing schools. And fourth is its dissemination to teacher preparation programs in Louisiana as well as professional organizations. An iterative design process will be used to develop the materials and supports that will be available through the ChangeMaker K-12 platform. The resources will be designed to scaffold preservice teachers in learning and experiences in solving real world problems through practitioner inquiry. Resources and support for engaging elementary school children in engineering and human-centered design is core to the platform strategy. The project intends to share the materials and project findings with its community partners including six public school systems, Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, and the United Way of Acadiana. Dissemination of materials and findings will also include peer teacher preparation programs in Louisiana and through professional organizations with a focus on educational technology and teacher preparation. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through its Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools. The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship (Noyce) Program is providing co-funding for this IUSE: EHR project to support the project's preservice teacher preparation goals, which are well-aligned with Noyce Program goals.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.