|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
| |
|
To
investigate potential means to help nurture
creative autonomous problem
solvers and to develop an 8-week scheme of
work based around PIC chip technology |
|
|
| |
 |
School: Trinity School,
Berkshire |
|
Fellow: Elliott Wilson |
|
Email: elliottwillson@fsmail.net |
|
| |
|
| |
Final Report |
|
|
|
The term creativity is used
by many people to describe different things.
Cropley (2001) suggests most individuals connect
creativity with artistic or aesthetic phenomena.
However, over the last fifty years leading
educationalists such as Roe and Guilford have
begun to explicitly express the important
link between creativity and areas such as
science and engineering. A good example of
the widening accepted definition of creativity
is the scientist, whose lucid thinking allows
him to make the link between mould growing
in a lab and the anti-biotic penicillin. Yet
with all this research, creative problem solving
is still not always finding its way into our
teaching as often as it could. |
| |
|
| |
The evidence is that too
often our education activities are focused
on closed questions with their reliance on
linear process and logical reasoning. (DfEE
99 pg 95) |
| |
|
| |
Industry too is beginning to
feel the pinch of past educational policies
and many technological based companies such
as Marconi, Jaguar and Dyson are all struggling
to recruit people with the required creative
thought processes to keep them at the leading
edge (Breckon 2001). |
| |
|
| |
Outcomes |
| |
|
| |
|
A scheme of work (SOW)
has been written aimed at introducing
PIC chip technology to Key Stage 3 students. |
|
GATSBY funding has allowed my current
school to acquire the necessary hardware
and software to teach PIC programming. |
|
The cost of purchasing the raw materials
for the first year of the SOW has also
been subsidised. |
|
GATSBY funding has allowed me to equip
a workshop with a digital projector,
to allow me to research ways of improving
the creative deliverance of subject
knowledge. |
|
Educational visit to Bradford Technology
College, to see practical applications
for electronics education and other
areas of Design Technology. |
|
Research collaboration with Bill Nicol
at Homerton College, Cambridge. |
|
Research conducted by the author
into the pedagogical aspect of nurturing
creative autonomous problem solvers,
leading to a summarised list of findings.
These findings will be published in
a manner that will maximise access to
teachers and educationalists. |
|
| |
|
| |
GATSBY Fellowship
review |
| |
|
| |
|
PIC Chip technology has
become established in industry and is
now influencing educational thinking.
However, the cost is still relatively
high for schools. Not many are in the
luxurious position of being able to
devote significant funding to researching
and developing new and effective educational
initiatives. |
|
The funding provided by Gatsby has
allowed me to investigate and develop
an area of Technology education I find
personally exciting, without stretching,
past breaking point, tight departmental
budgets. |
|
Being able to discuss this project
and its educational delivery with others,
including theorists and educational
practitioners, has highlighted areas
for growth and development. This input
has meant the project has progressed
at a rate, far in excess of what could
be expected working in isolation. |
|
The analysis of the teaching techniques
associated with PIC chip technology
has fuelled my own pedagogical interest.
I have been able to conduct research
and discuss my findings with experts
highly regarded in their fields, which
in turn has developed my own pedagogical
views. |
|
Due to hectic schedules at school,
including examinations and coursework,
it is unfortunate that more time could
not be spent on this project. However,
the summer term which sees many students
on exam leave and the following holiday
period, gives more time for analysis
and reflection. |
|
I would like to carry on my research
into this area and spend more time discussing
and disseminating my findings, after
my Gatsby fellowship year finishes.
It is noted and applauded that funding
may still be available for such work. |
|
| |
|
| |
Dissemination |
| |
|
| |
|
Departmental
Inset. Professional development required
for staff to confidently teach the PIC
Technology SOW |
|
Inset link with Homerton College,
Cambridge. 2004/05 Design Technology
PGCE students will complete the Trigger
Happy project and programming modules
as part of a day long PIC workshop |
|
Trigger Happy SOW piloted by another
school. The Pigott School in Twyford,
Berkshire are trialling the SOW, but
with year 10 students as opposed to
year 9. It is hoped this could become
an introduction to programming for Electronic
Products GCSE. |
|
I am currently discussing with Nick
Baldwin at TEP about writing a ‘Teacher
Friendly’ piece for their ‘News
and Views’ magazine. |
|
| |
|
| |
Lastly |
| |
|
| |
I would like to thank GATSBY
for all the time and resources they have given
me. It really has enabled me to do things
I would never have been able to do otherwise.
Thank you. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
