Topic outline
Exploring technology - Robots Alive research
Robots Alive was a collaborative research project between Department preschools, the Early Years Directorate and Flinders University. It set out to investigate whether it was possible for young children to develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions and understandings necessary for learning with, and about, digital technology.
The project investigated the technological thinking used when a robotic device was introduced into children’s play environments and was designed to surface children’s ideas, questions and insights as they made meaning of robotics and coding.
The project:
- Features: A project report and site case studies
- Highlights: Digital technology and technological thinking in preschools
- Invites: Educators to review the report, case studies and other project resources
- Robots alive: Exploring technological thinking in preschool File 769.1KB PDF document Uploaded 15/08/19, 13:46
The Robots Alive project report shares the research findings from the four Department preschool sites across the state that explored the introduction of robotic devices into children's play. This short movie highlights key aspects of the Robots Alive project.
To download a copy of this movie follow the link to Vimeo and you'll see a download button below the video. Â Duration: 2mins, 55 seconds.
STEM Investigations: Exploring technology - Robots Alive: A case study
Madge Sexton Kindergarten at McLaren Vale in South Australia, participated in the Exploring technological thinking - Robots alive project.
- Robots Alive project: One site’s story - Madge Sexton Kindergarten File 1.1MB PDF document
The case study outlines the wondering and research undertaken by educators at Madge Sexton. It highlights the challenges and pedagogical approaches and the observed learning outcomes for the children.
- Robots Alive project: Educator documentation snapshots - Madge Sexton Kindergarten File 852.3KB PDF document
These are the four key educator documentation snapshots that have been extracted from the case study. Each snapshot begins with an educator wondering and outlines the resulting investigations and learning of the children.
This movie is one educator’s reflection on the Robots Alive project at Madge Sexton Kindergarten.
Marissa's wondering: "How would children co-construct the knowledge and skills needed to code a robot through collaborative inquiry?"
To download a copy of this movie follow the link to Vimeo and you'll see a download button below the video. Â Duration: 4 mins, 15 seconds.