LEGO-based Engineering Modules for Adult Learning

随着新的自主乐高积木(RCX)的出现，数据采集、分析、假设检验和结果呈现的新方法成为可能。设计和建造而不是执行预先制作的实验是工程师在现代工程环境中取得成功的关键，正如ABET的新工程标准2000所强调的那样。在RCX之前，工程实验室的体验主要局限于实验室，不能适应不同的学习方式和学习场所。有了RCX和这个项目产生的相关教学材料，工程和教师教育项目的学生以及远程成人学习者可以创建和进行个性化的实验，而不受通常的限制。本项目提供了一个使用RCX的模式：1)作为本科工程教育经验的通用教学主线，从新生建议到高级设计项目；2)作为职前教师教育计划的创造性和激励性学习工具，为他们的学生提供工程素养。此外，该项目通过考试工程挑战来解决成人学习问题。这些挑战是基于基于RCX的本科生项目。参与的成年人可以通过网络与世界各地的其他成年人(和儿童)分享数据、理论和技术。每个模块或工具包都包括一个部分，供为人父母的成年人学习如何与孩子一起学习--将课堂学习与家庭学习联系起来。这个项目以新的乐高积木RCX为基础，激发和教授了广大大学生、儿童和成年人的干部。

With the advent of the new autonomous LEGO brick (the RCX), new approaches to data acquisition, analysis, hypothesis testing, and results presentation are possible. Designing and building rather than executing pre-made experiments is critical to the success of engineers in the modern engineering environment, as highlighted by ABET'S new engineering criteria 2000. Before the RCX, engineering laboratory experiences were constrained largely to the lab and were not accommodating to diverse learning styles and learning venues. With the RCX and the associated instructional materials resulting from this project, students in engineering and teacher education programs, as well as remote adult learners, can create and conduct individualized experiments, free of the usual constraints. This project provides a model for the usage of the RCX as 1) a common instructional thread of the undergraduate engineering educational experience, from freshman advising to senior design projects and as 2) a creative and stimulating learning tool for pre-service teacher education programs to provide engineering literacy for their students. Additonally, this project addresses adult learning through the examination of engineering challenges. These challenges are based on the undergraduate RCX-based projects. Participating adults can share data, theories, and techniques with other adults (and children) across the world with the web. Each of these modules or kits includes a section for the adult who is a parent on how to learn alongside the child - bridging learning from the classroom to learning in the home. Based on the new LEGO brick, the RCX, this project excites and teaches a broad cadre of college students, children, and adults.